socialism
If socialism fails: the spectre of 21st century barbarism
July 27, 2008 -- From the first day it appeared online, Climate and Capitalism’s masthead has carried the slogan “Ecosocialism or Barbarism: there is no third way.” We’ve been quite clear that ecosocialism is not a new theory or brand of socialism — it is socialism with Marx’s important insights on ecology restored, socialism committed to the fight against ecological destruction. But why do we say that the alternative to ecosocialism is barbarism?
Marxists have used the word “barbarism” in various ways, but most often to describe actions or social conditions that are grossly inhumane, brutal, and violent. It is not a word we use lightly, because it implies not just bad behaviour but violations of the most important norms of human solidarity and civilised life. [1]
The slogan “Socialism or Barbarism” originated with the great German revolutionary socialist leader Rosa Luxemburg, who repeatedly raised it during World War I. It was a profound concept, one that has become ever more relevant as the years have passed.
Venezuela: The hard battle for socialism
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Up until now, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s socialist project has counted on broad popular support. But it is encountering – as was foreseen – numerous difficulties and an opposition that is not disgusted by coup plots nor assassination attempts. On November 23, the revolutionary project will have to submit itself to a new test, this time in the form of elections for governors and mayors.
Michael Lebowitz: The spectre of socialism for the 21st century
The following is the keynote address to the annual meeting of the Society for Socialist Studies, Vancouver, June 5, 2008. It was originally titled “Building socialism for the 21st century''.
Friedrich Engels: the Che Guevara of his day
Review by Alex Miller
Che Guevara's final verdict on the Soviet economy
By John Riddell
Michael A. Lebowitz: Socialism is the future -- Build it now
By Michael A. Lebowitz
Videos: Cuba's green revolution
A clip from the BBC's Around the World in 80 Gardens (2008) introduces the urban organic food gardening revolution in Havana, Cuba.
Three books on the life and thought of the `red terror doctor’
Reviews by Alex Miller
Karl Marx: A Biography
By
David McLellan, Palgrave Macmillan
4th
Edition 2006
487
pages, paperback
Are livable cities just a dream?
By Dave Holmes
Michael A. Lebowitz: La jornada laboral capitalista y la jornada laboral socialista
By Michael A. Lebowitz
[Translation by J. Duckworth]
Michael A. Lebowitz: May Day -- The capitalist workday, the socialist workday
By Michael A. Lebowitz
April 24, 2008 -- As May Day approaches, there are four things that are worth remembering:
1. For workers, May Day does not celebrate a state holiday or gifts from the state but commemorates the struggle of workers from below.
2. The initial focus of May Day was a struggle for the shorter workday.
3. The struggle for the shorter workday is not an isolated struggle but is the struggle against capitalist exploitation.