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...]
Socialist Party of Sri Lanka
The Socialist Party of Sri Lanka is a workers' party affiliated to the Workers' International Network. Our party is rooted in militant trade-union activity. It draws its inspiration from the original Lanka Sama Samaja Party founded in Trotsky’s lifetime and is the only left party still loyal to those traditions. Our candidate at the recent presidential election won ???? votes (???? %) – a … [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...]
Rohingya a Fire Appeal
We have received the following appeal from a group of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, now based in Bangladesh. Already living in desperately poor conditions, they have now suffered further hardship as a result of a devastating fire in their camp. We guys are comrades of WIN in Balukhali camp, the world biggest refugee camp in the world. We have had our homes burnt to the ground. We cannot sleep … [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...]
Sinhala Paper ASANI
This is the latest issue of the monthly Sinhala paper ASANI, produced by the United Socialist Party of Sri Lanka, a major participant in WIN. Copies are obtainable on request. … [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...]