Torture
Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib are places of torture now known to millions. However, for a long time it was not known what went on in these prisons.
Denis Goldberg, in his article 'Torture and the Future' (based on a lecture he gave in Germany) states that "what is clear is that torture and violence flourish in conditions of secrecy and impunity".
There are still secret prisons and places of torture. In his article Professor Goldberg, who spent more than 22 years in an apartheid jail, discusses what we mean by torture and uses his own prison experience to illustrate his argument.
Fascism in Spain
Understandably, torture is often associated with German fascism and the concentration camps of World War 2. However, German Nazism's military support for Franco's rebellion against the democratically elected government of Spain in the 1930s in its preparation for the wider war is much less associated. Helen Christopher in her review of the book, 'Homage to Caledonia', writes "It has been said that the Spanish Civil War, was not so much a civil war but the first act of World War 2..."
Alongside the review are a poignant letter from an International Brigader to his wife and sons and the Farewell Address to the International Brigade by Dolores Ibarruri Gomez ("La Pasionaria"). The defeat of Republican Spain encouraged German fascism and brought world war closer.
Two Germanies
World War 2 ended in 1945 with the defeat of German fascism and the occupation of Germany by the Allied countries. However, Churchill's infamous Fulton, Missouri speech launched the Cold War and brought to an end the wartime alliance.
Britain, America and France soon ignored the agreements made with the Soviet Union and began to re-build West Germany (using many former high-ranking Nazis) as a military ally with the aim of it annexing East Germany.
Pat Turnbull traces the history which gave rise to the two Germanies and reflects on the positive developments in the German Democratic Republic in its comparatively short existence. In an associated article she outlines the reasons for the building of the Berlin Wall.
The Berlin Wall
It is now 20 years since the wall was brought down and there is much being written and broadcast about 1989, which saw the defeat of the socialist countries of Eastern Europe.
It is being used to reinforce the claim that 'socialism does not work'.
However, occasionally, amidst the anti-socialist clamour, some truths emerge.
Neal Ascherson, writing in the 'Observer' newspaper (2 August 2009) on the events in Eastern Europe in 1989, comments:
"What most ordinary people wanted, at the end of 1989, seemed to be something like social democracy. In other words, freedom, a regulated market economy, and a strong welfare state - the "European" model. Not unreasonably, the public thought that they could combine the freedom and prosperity of capitalism with the social benefits they had learned to expect under communism".
Ascherson then admits: "They were wrong.
The countries in transition imported an undiluted version of Thatcherism, far stronger than the British would ever have tolerated. Price controls were abolished, subsidies cancelled, currencies left to find their own level. Many state industries and services were privatised, often bought over by western multinationals.
Huge gaps appeared between rich and poor: a new, predatory super-rich class on one hand, near-destitution for pensioners and the redundant on the other. Social services withered or vanished, like the elaborate network of free day nurseries for working mothers in East Germany".
It is for these reasons that attacks continue to be made on the former socialist countries because "Nobody shoots at the dead" (Turnbull quoting from the German journal, 'Rotfuchs').
The GDR and the other socialist countries in Eastern Europe may no longer exist but, socialism, despite the defeats and set-backs, is not dead. It remains the alternative to Capitalism, which, with its current financial and economic crisis and war-mongering, is increasingly exposed for what it is.
The unceasing vitriolic attacks on socialism as was (Soviet Union, GDR etc), as is (Cuba), as aspires to be (Venezuela) indicate the fears of our rulers.
Developing countries to pay
The global capitalist recession will have the most damaging effect on the world's poorest countries as Gail Hurley shows in her article, 'Global Recession and Developing Countries'. She refers to the World Bank estimate that the global financial and economic crisis will increase poverty by 46 million people in 2009. And, with developing countries external debt predicted to rise, she concludes that unless policies are changed, "poor countries will in essence pay for the mistakes of the rich".
Britain
James Thomson, in reviewing British politics, finds it difficult to see how the Labour Party can recover sufficiently to stop a Tory victory at the next General Election. He raises the question: what will become of the Labour Party? That is a question which is likely to grow in significance.
