Month: December 2017

World Economy

The robot bubble: New technology, new crisis ahead

28th December 2017

The IMF in its latest prognosis praises what it sees as a stable growth of the world economy. Yes, there are some risks the IMF says, not least the political ones. But the crisis has been overcome, and a new and rosy period lies ahead. However, if you only look at the surface, that picture might seem true. In June, Fed-Chief Janet Yellen said in London that there will be no new financial crisis in “our lifetime”. She is 71 years old, so there is a chance she might be correct.

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Trotsky

‘Trotsky in 1917’ – New collection of Trotsky’s writings from year of the Russian revolution

24th December 2017

Socialist Books new book, ‘Trotsky in 1917’, will be published at the end of January 2018 (for more information and to order see: http://www.socialistbooks.co.uk/pre-order-trotsky-1917-today/). The collection of  Leon Trotsky’s writings and speeches are all newly translated by Pete Dickenson, with the great majority appearing in English for the first time.

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US

‘Net Neutrality’ repealed in the US

24th December 2017

On December 14, 2017 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to give internet providers, such as Comcast and Verizon, the power to give preferential treatment to web content producers of their choosing. Under the current regulations guaranteeing net neutrality, Comcast cannot offer faster speeds to site owners for a named price, for example, but this policy of equal access could change without net neutrality.

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South Africa

Ramaphosa wins ANC presidency after bitter factional contest

24th December 2017

After the most tumultuous run-up to any conference in ANC history, watched across the world, with over a thousand journalists in attendance, and the markets moving up in anticipation of the results, Cyril Ramaphosa has ascended to the presidency of the ANC after a bitterly fought factional contest. The “radical economic transformation” faction and the business-aligned anti-corruption crusaders fought each other all the way from the bottom to the top, in almost all provinces, resulting in the nullification of branch, regional and provincial conferences by the courts. It continued right up to the eve of conference.

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América

Macri aprueba la reforma de las pensiones desatando una brutal represión

23rd December 2017

Con el parlamento totalmente blindado por la policía y a altas horas de la madrugada del martes 19 de diciembre, se aprobaba la contrarreforma de las pensiones orquestada por el gobierno de coalición de Mauricio Macri (Cambiemos), y el robo de 5.000 millones de euros a los jubilados. Con la misma nocturnidad y también de madrugada, se los regalaban el miércoles a los empresarios en otra votación, esta vez a través de exenciones fiscales.

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Women

Women: Fighting sexism, violence and capitalism – an international struggle

20th December 2017

The international executive of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI, the international organisation that the Socialist Party is part of) took place from 27 November to 2 December in Belgium.

A prominent part of the discussions throughout the week was struggles of women across the world and the CWI’s role in these. Here, the Socialist (paper of the Socialist Party – CWI in England & Wales) speaks to CWI members from four countries.

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