Blanqui’s Politics of Revolution: An Interview with Doug Greene
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October 18, 2017 — Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal reposted from Left Voice — In this interview, historian Doug Greene talks about Blanqui, his life and politics, and more. His new book, Communist Insurgent: Blanqui's Politics of Revolution, will be out next month.
Spanish state to Catalonia: 'Surrender or we'll take you over'
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A meeting of one of the many local Committees to Defend the Referendum t
hat have sprouted up across Catalonia.
 By Dick NicholsOctober 16, 2017 — Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal — Catalonia’s Premier Carles Puigdemont officially declared an independent Catalan republic on October 10, only to announce the immediate suspension of independence to allow for negotiations with the conservative Spanish People’s Party (PP) government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The declaration of independence formalised the result of the October 1 referendum held under extreme police repression: in it 90% of those voting (43% of the electorate) said ‘Yes’ to independence. The harsh reply from Madrid came two days later: Catalonia had to abandon all thought of secession or see its self-rule erased under article 155 of the Spanish constitution. The Catalan government was formally notified by fax that it had until 10am Monday, October 16 to make clear whether it had declared independence or not and, if it had, until 10 am Thursday, October 19 to abandon independence and "return within the framework of the constitution". Moreover, only a clear written Yes or No would be accepted--"any statement different from a simple negative or affirmative reply will be considered as affirmative."
The fight for independence in Catalonia: What lessons for Quebec?
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Marxist theories of the state played out in Venezuela
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The Chimes at Midnight: Trotskyism in the USSR 1926-1938
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Spanish state moves to end Catalan self-rule after people power saves independence referendum
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By Dick Nichols Is it possible to have a successful referendum when your country is effectively occupied by 10,000 police and paramilitaries with orders to stop it? The holding of Catalonia’s October 1 referendum on independence shows that it is: all you need is a mobilised people with a clear view of where they are going, Europe’s most powerful and persistent social movement to help guide them, and a government that’s committed to carrying out its promises. Add to those already rare ingredients imperviousness to provocation and violence, ability to improvise when logistics are sabotaged and determination to prevail in spite of a sea of difficulties (including severe tensions within your own camp), then you’ve uncovered the recipe for victory.
'One Hundred Years', a poem by Steve Bloom on the centenary of the Russian Revolution
The poem can be downloaded as a pdf here or read on screen below

‘Africa Rising’ in retreat: Signs of new resistances

The Philippines: On the frontline of Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’
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In its first year in operation, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘war on drugs’ has cost more than 13,000 lives and left the country mired in a human rights crisis. One of the organisations at the forefront of opposing Duterte’s war is In Defence of Human Rights and Dignity Movement, iDefend, a coalition of more than 50 human right and grassroots organisations. Peter Boyle spoke to iDefend spokesperson Ellecer “Budit” Carlos about the situation.
"Music can and should belong to all' - An interview with Dave Randall, author of 'Sound System: The Political Power of Music'
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Dave Randall playing at Glastonbury
 September 27, 2017 — Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal — Barry Healy speaks to Dave Randall, author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music
Pakistan: Repression of tenants at Okara Military Farms continue, Baba Jan's final review petition underway
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By Farooq Tariq September 25, 2017  — Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal reposted from Europe Solidaire Sans Frontières — The repression of tenants at Okara Military Farms continue for the last one and half years. On 21st September, Malik Salim Jakkar was arrested in Okara once again. He had spent most of the last two years (2015-2017) in jail and some two months back, he was released on bail.Malik Salim Jakhar along his five friends came to see me a night before his arrest in Lahore, his first meeting after his release. However, he was arrested very next day. He has been facing 95 police cases, he was released only after he tendered an unconditional apology to the authorities. Despite that, he is arrested because many hundreds of peasants met him during his brief freedom.
Catalan referendum: a ‘democratic tsunami’ rises against Spanish state siege
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