Latin America: 200 years of the infernal cycle of debt

by Éric Toussaint

Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debt | November 23, 2017

Eric Toussaint, of the CADTM (Committee for the Abolition of Illegitimate Debt), explains the difficulties encountered by States overly dependent on raw materials.

With a PhD in Political Science and speaking for CADTM international, Eric Toussaint has just published Le Systeme dette, histoire des dettes souveraines et de leur répudiation (Les Liens qui libèrent, 338 p., 19,50 €). (‘The Debt System: a History of Sovereign Debts and their Repudiation’.) He explains how countries that are over-dependent on raw materials fall into the debt trap.

Venezuela has partly defaulted. How did it come to this?

Venezuela is an emblematic case of the infernal cycle that Latin America has been struggling with over the last two centuries. It all began in 1810, when Simon Bolivar, a figurehead of the Spanish colonies in their fight for freedom, began borrowing from London in very unfavourable conditions to finance the wars of independence.

Karl Marx “returns” to Germany as 200th birth anniversary approaches

by Ren Ke, Tian Ying, Zhang Yuan

XINHUA NET | November 18, 2017

In the fatherland of Karl Marx, the question begs itself: is his Das Kapital still up to date? Over two thirds of respondents voted for “Yes, it is more up to date than ever before.”

Four Effects of the Blockade Against Venezuela

by Misión Verdad

teleSUR | November 29, 2017

A ship docks in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. | Photo: Venezuelan Ministry of Transportation

The financial blockade directly affects routine international payments for goods and services.

No doubt remains that the blockade of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is intended to deepen the sabotage of the Venezuelan people’s social and economic life.

Fidel’s Commitment to Women’s Emancipation Unparalleled

by Marion Deschamps

teleSUR | November 25, 2017

The beginning of the Cuban Revolution in 1959 marked a remarkable political, economic and social change in Latin America’s history, especially for Cuban women, who did not just participate in the military victory but also have played a prominent role throughout the building of the socialist nation.

Forced From Home

by LANCE SIMMENS

LA Progressive | November 28, 2017

 

It is very difficult these days to not engage in political discussion. Outrage from both the left and right dominate the news cycles and breaking news has become a seemingly hourly occurrence. It is far too easy to apply a political calculus to virtually all events regardless of their significance. So it is time to take a break, maybe only a momentary lapse, but a break nonetheless and focus on a deadly serious issue where politics does not play a role.

Socialist Planning Circles: Building Scaffolds Before the Wreckage

by BRUCE LERRO

LA Progressives | November 14, 2017

In my last article, Do You Socialists Have Any Plans? Why We Need Socialist Architects, I argued that the only way 21^st century socialism is going to get any traction with working class people is to not only have a socialist vision, but also to have feasible plans which suggest transitions in between the current capitalist crisis and our ultimate vision.

Obituary: István Mészáros, Hungarian Marxist political philosopher who taught at St Andrews

by Terry Brotherstone

The Scotsman | November 18, 2017

Following the Soviet army’s brutal suppression of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, István Mészáros – the internationally respected political philosopher, who has died aged 86 – accepted the advice of his senior colleague, the renowned cultural critic György Lukács, to escape from his home city of Budapest. His path to a life in the West took him via Turin and London to a lectureship at St Andrews University. What his colleagues there first wanted to know was not about his political experiences or relationship with Lukács but: ‘What’s your handicap?’ Realising they were not referring to physical disability, he gathered he would be required to play golf as well as teach Hegel. He picked the game up quickly and, before leaving for the new University of Sussex five years later, could defeat most of his fellow academics on Scotland’s famous links.

Fidel will never leave (+Photos)

by  Lissy Rodríguez Guerrero

Granma | November 26, 2017

Photo: Jose M. Correa

Once again the historic guerilla brought together a multitude of grateful youth. Once again he showed us the right way, with his index finger pointing to the future. In a cultural-political act at the University of Havana’s historic Grand Staircase – where he spoke to students on many occasions – the generation in which he placed all his trust, gathered one year after his passing, to show that Fidel has not left, and that today, he is more present than ever. 

Fidel’s ideas, now more necessary than ever

by  Dayron Rodríguez Rosales

Granma | November 24, 2017

Photo: Dunia Álvarez Palacios Photo: Granma

With moving images, music by Cuban singer-song writer Silvio Rodríguez, and remarks by National Prize for History winner Dr. Eduardo Torres Cuevas, the workshop The Strategic Thought of Fidel Castro Ruz: International Relations and Foreign Policy was inaugurated November 23.
The event focused on an in-depth exploration the ideology of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution in the run up to the first anniversary of his passing. 

Revolution is…

by Yenia Silva Correa

Granma | November 23, 2017

Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz announced his concept of Revolution on May 1st, 2001. Photo: trabajadores.cu

A year after the death of the historic leader of Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz, and the Cuban people continue loyal to the ideas expressed in his concept of Revolution, announced on May 1, 2001 in Havana.

The many lessons of his legacy have proven vital at a time when the country is facing adverse weather events, undergoing necessary transformations, and working hard to build the kind of future to which we aspire.