Comrade Thomas Piketty, Welcome to the Socialist Movement
For years, Thomas Piketty has articulated a cogent critique of 21st-century capitalism. He now appears to be moving beyond just critique to call for a 21st-century socialism.
Blog
The Ban on Russian Oil Is Another Way for Germany to Assert Its Power
Europe’s partial ban on Russian oil is forcing states to look for alternative energy sources. But Berlin’s shifting positions show that Germany's concern is its own power on the world market — with green issues little more than a fig leaf.
In Fortress Europe, Saving Migrants From Drowning Could Land You in Jail
A trial in Italy threatens volunteers who rescued people at sea with up to two decades in jail. The case shows how Fortress Europe is cracking down on even basic, lifesaving solidarity with migrants.
The Paranoid Style in Canadian Politics
Conspiracy theories are way more exciting than political economy, and Canada’s Pierre Poilievre is exploiting the thrill of paranoia for political gain. The Left must counter these impulses with analyses of worker exploitation — and a program for change.
Across Latin America, the Feminist Movement Is in the Streets
On March 8, 2020, thousands across Latin America participated in an international strike to protest gender-based inequality. The movement has attempted to redefine the politics of strikes by acknowledging the value of reproductive labor.
From Buffalo to India, the Right’s Demographic Paranoia Fuels Deadly Violence
As the Western far right promotes “great replacement” theory, the Indian right accuses Muslims of trying to outnumber the Hindu majority. After Buffalo’s mass shooting, Joe Biden condemned the former — then praised Narendra Modi, who repeats the latter.
Capitalism Creates Chaos. The Carceral System Is a Bad Attempt to Contain It.
Capitalism creates social disorder and relies on police and prisons to manage it. Until liberals recognize this link between criminal justice and the economy, their reform programs will be ineffectual — and racist policing and mass incarceration will persist.
Michał Kalecki Is the Economist We Need to Make Sense of Class Conflict
Polish economist Michał Kalecki argued that capitalists would always resist full employment because it increases the confidence and bargaining power of workers. He was right — so right that even the Fed has now begun citing his ideas.
Don’t Cancel $10,000 of Student Debt. Cancel Every Penny.
The Biden administration has been floating the possibility of a means-tested cancellation of $10,000 of student debt. There’s no reason not to cancel every penny instead.
Belgium Is the EU’s Capital, but Its Own Future Is Now in Doubt
Belgium was a pioneer of industrialization, and class struggle by its workers’ movement created one of Europe’s most impressive welfare states. But with regional divisions now dominating Belgian politics, the country’s long-term survival is deeply uncertain.
Workers’ Pensions Are Funding Congress’s Far-Right Extremists
Billionaire Trump adviser and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman charges public workers exorbitant fees to manage their pensions, then uses those profits to bankroll Republicans bent on screwing those workers over.
This Year’s Champions League Final Was a Showcase for Police Brutality in France
The Champions League final is one of the biggest events in world sports. UEFA and the French police turned it into a brutal, dangerous fiasco — and Emmanuel Macron’s ministers are lying through their teeth about what happened.