Articles
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
The conflict between the USA and North Korea is a David and Goliath contest, so to blame both equally is wrong. We also need to know about the devastation caused to North Korea by the United States during the Korean war to understand its position now. It is the US which has rejected North Korean overtures for dialogue, violated the treaty ending the Korean war and ripped up a previously working agreement. The view presented by the media in the west is dangerously skewed and part of war preparations, however, there are powerful voices who also want peace on the Korean peninsula.
Monday, March 26, 2018
We live in a very dangerous world dominated by neo-liberalism which fuels inequality, conflict and a drive to war. As well as making the lives of millions miserable there are growing tensions between rival imperial and aspiring imperial powers. Nearly 30 years since the end of the Soviet Union what kind of world is capitalism creating and how is being re-shaped? Despite its dominance, however, neo-liberalism has not won people to support its system. Forces from the left, the extreme right, religions and nationalists are gaining ground.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Saturday 11th November 2017.Hear top speakers Councillor Noah Tucker (personal capacity) on Brexit, the crisis in the Tory Party and the prospects for Labour and socialist advance. Pablo Navarrete, just returned from Venezuela, Salim Alam on the Middle East and Palestine. Frieda Park and Simon Korner will open discussion on the threat of war, particularly in Korea and the divisions which are making our world a dangerous place.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
President Trump's threats of war against North Korea should not be dismissed. Though there are concerns about his stance, nevertheless the demonisation of North Korea looks very similar to the media narratives about Iraq and Libya before the West launched wars there and Saddam and Gaddafi were overthrown. the build up of US military power in the area is a further concerning move.
Friday, September 1, 2017
The end of colonial rule in India was not a magnanimous gesture by British imperialism. In fact it had no choice as it faced a popular upsurge against its rule. To preserve its interests and influence it reached agreement with the Indian capitalist and landowning classes which passed power to them. Just as in Ireland it utilised partition to create divisions and hamper progressive development. The independence of Burma likewise was engineered do that Britain retained access to its economy and military bases. it was also saddled with a huge debt.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
After partition Pakistan was ruled by highly reactionary and repressive forces. The country moved into the orbit of US imperialism and the web of influence that it was building in Asia. However a general election in 1954 lead to an overwhelming victory for democratic parties. The reaction was the suspension of parliament by the Governor-General and the establishment of a dictatorship.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Following the revolt the Indian Army against British domination in 1857 the imperial power set out to learn lessons. The central one was that the policy of divide and rule must be rigorously enforced in the army and in civil life. So that different groups would not make common cause they were separated into different fighting units and differences and antagonisms were actively encouraged. Conflicts of religion, caste and nationality were nurtured as tool of British rule.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Karl Marx gives a contemporary account of the 1857 revolt of the Indian Army against British colonial rule. 160 years later his insights into its importance are still valid. In particular how opposition to imperial domination overcame the British tactic of divide and rule and Hindus and Muslims fought together against their oppressor.