by Joe Duffy Introduction At present, the debate around a Border Poll to determine the status of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is gathering momentum. A clause in the Good Friday Agreement, which set up devolved government for Northern Ireland some 23 years ago, allows for such a poll. If a majority (over 50%) vote to end the political partition … [Read more...]
The Lessons of Greece
In the years 2010-2015, Greece was the epicentre of a global revolt against the bankers’ “troika”. For months on end, parliament was besieged as tens of thousands occupied Athens' Syntagma Square and city squares throughout Greece. There were at least 42 general strikes. 35% of the total population physically participated in street demonstrations, and in opinion polls 33% called in so many words … [Read more...]
Northern Ireland: A Return to “The Troubles” ?
23 years after the signing of the Good Friday agreement to end IRA and loyalist violence and establish political structures, street violence in the form of serious attacks on the Northern Ireland police, mainly from working class “protestant” communities, has been promoted in the world media.The failure of the in-built sectarian-based political structures to represent the Northern Ireland working … [Read more...]
Lessons of the Paris Commune
WIN marked the 150th anniversary of the world’s first workers’ uprising with a review of its lessons for today. The discussion was introduced by OLIVIER DELBEKE, speaking from Paris. The meeting was bilingual (in French and English). Eleanor Marx: "It is time people understood the true meaning of this revolution… It meant the government of the people by the people. It was the first … [Read more...]
The Franco-German war, the Commune and the end of the International Workingmen Association.
By Vincent Presumey. First phase of the war: Bonapartist France against German unity. A telescoped retrospective view gives us the impression that the Paris Commune was born directly from the Franco-German war of 1870-1871(eighteen-seventy/eighteen-seventy-one). But the deep working-class and democratic forces which led to the Commune, "the antithesis of the empire", were at work long … [Read more...]
The Senegal Uprising: An Eye-Witness Report
Long considered the most stable country in West Africa, Senegal is the latest country to join the worldwide wave of protest. The nationwide uprising was sparked off by the arrest of the opposition politician Ousmane Sonko on rape charges, which he alleges are a ruse to block his candidacy for presidential elections. But what lies behind the uprising is growing youth unemployment, poverty, … [Read more...]
Perspectives for the USA
Introduced by John Reimann (Oakland Socialist) and Tia Kurtisnger-Edison (Kentucky Alliance)The USA has entered a period of turmoil and instability.What lies behind the downfall of the Trump presidency? Was January’s storming of the Capitol building “Trumpism’s” last gasp? What are the prospects for a Republican resurgence?The new Democratic administration has launched a massive economic rescue … [Read more...]
In Memory of Rosa Luxemburg
The Workers' International Network celebrated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rosa Luxemburg (5th March 1871) with a special meeting.While still a teenager, Rosa organised a general strike in her native Poland. Having migrated to Germany in 1897, she moved the historic resolutions at the Socialist International’s 1907 Stuttgart Congress and 1912 Basel conference pledging resistance to the … [Read more...]
The Uprising in India
India is the scene today of a gigantic mass uprising, with up to 250 million workers staging recurrent general strikes and 300,000 farmers occupying New Delhi in a six-month siege. Olivier (on behalf of Jacques Chastaing) and Umar Shahid explain the background to these unprecedented events. Jacques Chastaing, a French activist in close contact with the farmers’ uprising in … [Read more...]
The Russian Protest Movement
THE RUSSIAN PROTEST MOVEMENT - Hanna Danilovich speaks about the protests that have erupted where tens of thousands have defied police in street demonstrations throughout Russia. The Putin regime has used deadly poisons and brutal repression to try to nullify opponents of the state. How stable is its rule? Is this the beginning of its downfall? What is the programme of Navalny? Hear … [Read more...]