Eight years of progressive politics in Ecuador

30th January 2015 Socialist Action 0

The following article by Matt Willgress was originally published by the Morning Star. It sets out some of Correa’s achievements since he was first elected President, including poverty reduction, low unemployment and an economy growing at four per cent a year – all underpinned by a huge increase in state investment, whose proportion of GDP has trebled in eight years.

Eight years ago President Rafael Correa was elected in Ecuador and, as in many Latin American countries in recent years, there’s been a tremendous shift in the country.

Syriza’s victory: turning hope into reality

26th January 2015 Socialist Action 0

Following Syriza’s victory in the Greek elections far wider forces than socialists are supporting the new Greek government’s calls for renegotiation of Greece’s debt – for example the Jubilee Debt Campaign. Before the election letters to the Financial Times and Guardian by leading economists supported this. The following article analysing the the situation after Syriza’s victory appeared on Socialist Economic Bulletin by socialist economists Michael Burke and John Ross.

Notes from the front – of the week 20/1/2015

20th January 2015 Socialist Action 0

After France: Tories play the Islamophobia card

Tory Communities’ Secretary Eric Pickles’ recent letter urging Muslims to explain how Islam ‘can be part of British identity’ has fanned the flames of bigotry and has nothing remotely to do with combating terrorism.

US sanctions – stepping up its campaign against Venezuela

16th January 2015 Socialist Action 0

The following article by Matt Willgress, on the US decision to impose sanctions against Venezuela, was originally published by the Morning Star.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has led a chorus of the Global South in angrily rejecting new sanctions against his nation signed into law by US President Barack Obama in December.