From Lenin to Chávez – socialist leadership since 1917

11th March 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Brian Williams

The analysis of Marxism concludes that the interests of humanity as a whole coincide with those of the working class – i.e. the advance of the working class takes forward the general interests of humanity, including all of its oppressed layers, while setbacks for the working class roll back the interests of humanity. This therefore determines the attitude to all political forces. Those who take forward the interests of the working class take humanity forward, those who set back the working class set back the general interests of humanity including its oppressed layers. Nothing more clearly illustrates this reality than the history of the 20th century, above all the victory and then defeat of the Russian revolution, and the events following this in the 21st century.

Hugo Chávez: a loss for Venezuela and the world

6th March 2013 Socialist Action 0

Together with the people of Venezuela, Latin America and all anti-imperialists and progressive people world-wide, we mourn the loss of our comrade Presidente Hugo Chávez.

His death is not only a huge loss for Venezuela, but for the whole of Latin America. And not only for Venezuela and Latin America, but for the entire world.

This loss is felt most deeply in Venezuela itself where people have flooded onto the streets to show their grief and respect, chanting, “Chávez vive, la lucha sigue”: “Chávez lives, the battle continues”.

This love and respect is a reflection of Chávez’s achievements but also his personal courage in pursuing the most progressive goals.

Lincoln

25th February 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Paul Roberts

The award of a record breaking third Oscar for best actor to Daniel Day Lewis for his title role in Spielberg’s Lincoln has drawn even more attention to the film than its epic subject matter was already attracting. Because the film focuses attention on such an enormous revolutionary class struggle it plays a progressive role. But it is a very partial reflection of the real character of the US Civil War.

Why the bourgeois media offensive against the SWP?

20th February 2013 Socialist Action 0

By Jane West and Nicky Dempsey

The crisis in the SWP has provoked a discussion including everything from prurient gossip and snide sectarianism to serious political analysis. For those interested in advancing the cause of socialism a potentially disintegrative crisis in the numerically largest current of the British far left is a serious matter, therefore worthy of serious comment.

There are really two issues involved. First, why this crisis in the SWP has developed. Second why the capitalist media, who are implacable enemies of anything progressive, have decided to take such an interest in the matter. As will be seen the two issues are very different.