The lucky generation and the historic limits of capital

Optimism amongst mainstream economists is clearly misplaced, argues Michael Roberts

Once again at the beginning of the year, forecasts for growth of output and incomes for the world economy and for the top 20 of nations (G20) are optimistic. For the sixth year in a row since the end of the great recession in mid-2009, forecasts by the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Bank and EU Commission are for an acceleration in growth and a ‘return to normal’. But each year since then, that has proved to be wrong. Real GDP growth, and particularly real GDP per head of population, has failed to return to the trend growth achieved before the great recession. In that sense, the world economy remains locked in a long depression similar to that of the 1930s and of the mid-1880s.

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Nationalist shock waves

Poll predictions of a Labour wipeout show that the national question has not gone away, argues Eddie Ford

Natalie Bennett’s motley crew

While the Green Party as a whole is not supportable, argues Robert Eagleton, a small number of its candidates may be

Candidates give their answers

These are the questions posed by the Communist Platform to those standing for the leadership

Meaningless noise

Workers Power has made a strange new ally. Daniel Harvey reports

A tactical embarrassment

Nobody comes out of the leaders’ debates farce in good shape, argues Paul Demarty

Contrast

We don't need any explanation for giving us your money, says Robbie Rix