January 2012 - In this issue...
![Photo: DVIDS/Jeramy Spivey](/web/20120204064903im_/http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/images/Jan 2012/Egypt_referendum_line.jpg)
John Molyneux argues that while capitalism came into being with claims about universal freedom, each expansion of democracy has had to be fought for—and is never secure.
Simon Basketter looks at the background to the recent electricians' dispute that has led to unofficial strike action.
Europe's forgotten minority
The oppression of Europe's largest minority, the Roma, is not a new phenomenon, but they are facing a rise in attacks, argues Daniela Manske.
As opposition to austerity grows Mark L Thomas looks at how the Tories are entering a much nastier phase with old divisions over Europe coming to the fore.
The riots last summer highlighted the gulf between many young black people and mainstream black figures. Weyman Bennett assesses the mood of anger.
Also this month...
2012:the fire this time
Mark L Thomas considers what an incredible year 2011 has been in a special editorial.
Mismanaged democracy
Russia has seen the biggest political demonstrations against the regime since 1993. Mike Haynes looks at declining support for President Putin.
Get Gove
Alasdair Smith looks at the new wave of Michael Gove's academies expansion-forced academies.
No Victory
Now the US has formally exited Iraq, Judith Orr considers the real legacy of the Iraq war.
Economy class
The first in a regular series of columns explaining key concepts in Marxist economics- Stacey Whittle askes where does profit come from?
See the full contents of this issue.
This month in books
Jose Carlos Mariategui: An anthology by Harry E Vanden and Marc Becker
Tory Pride and Prejudice by Michael McManus
The Politics of Down Syndrome by Kieron Smith
Send My Love and a Molotov Cocktail! by Gary Phillips and Andrea Gibbons
The Story of the Iron Column by Abel Paz
The Message by Tariq Goddard
In Place of Austerity by Dexter Whitfield
Classic read - God's Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane
See the full contents of this issue.
Art and Culture
Films:
Coriolanus
The Iron Lady
Margin Call
Computer Games
Playing the Empire's game
Exhibition:
Magnetised Space
Arts, cuts and resistance
The art of occupation
Culture column
Don't make me laugh
See the full contents of this issue.
#bestoftheweb
David Hencke reveals in a nice bit of investigative journalism on his blog, that Francis Maude is in favour of unity between the public and private sectors in one respect—his own pensions. Maude has four, two public and two private, all very lucrative. http://bit.ly/vgvHoc
Jenny Turner has written a provocative piece about the state of contemporary feminism for the London Review of Books. She calls for a shift away from focusing on how women's bodies are commodified towards examining how "political economy" and the family shape women's lives today. http://bit.ly/sS5QPP
New Left Project has a fascinating interview with Adam Hanieh about the economic and political role of the Gulf states. Hanieh also discusses some of the simmering class tensions within the Gulf oil kingdoms. http://bit.ly/rYoGHF
Egyptian revolutionary socialist Hossam El-Hamalawy is interviewed on the New Socialist website. He discusses the November uprising against the military in Tahrir Square and elsewhere. http://bit.ly/vdHRWo
US labour historian David Montgomery, who died in December, receives a tribute from Jon Wiener on The Nation's website. Montgomery was a former Communist labour organiser who became a historian after being blacklisted by the FBI. http://bit.ly/rDri8B
From the archive...
Not what Juppé planned
This article printed in Socialist Review in January 1996 outlines the struggle of French workers against a massive attack on their pensions. In the lead up to a public sector general strike in Britain today, there are important lessons to learn from this battle. |