Defend Brazilian democracy – Oppose a coup
Progressive people are being asked to endorse the statement below supporting democracy in Brazil.
International
The historic and contemporary significance of the 1916 Easter Rising
By Stephen Bell
In 1916 the Easter Rising represented the resumption of the struggle for Irish freedom. The decision in 1914 of the Irish National Volunteers and the Irish Parliamentary Party to support the British government in the inter-imperialist war effectively subsumed the national movement. By 1916 hopes for an early victory by either side in the war had disappeared. It was time to reclaim hope for Ireland at home, from its slaughter overseas.
Why China can achieve its 6.5% growth rate target
The following article by John Ross, explaining why China can achieve its 6.5 per cent growth target, was previously published by Socialist Economic Bulletin.
Economic targets for China were announced during the National People’s Congress of at least 6.5% annual GDP growth during the 13th Five Year Plan in 2016-20 and 6.5%-7.0% for 2016. Some Western economists claim such targets cannot be achieved. In fact, analysis of supply side factors, which will primarily be relied on to achieve these goals, shows clearly why China can achieve its 6.5% minimum growth goal.
China won’t have a hard landing – because it is not a capitalist economy
The following article by John Ross, setting out why the Chinese economy will not have a hard landing, was previously published by Socialist Economic Bulletin.
Some US hedge funds, echoed by parts of the international media, are currently trotting out the perennially inaccurate myth that China’s economy is about to suffer a “hard landing.” This invariably incorrect prediction has been periodically repeated for decades since China launched economic reforms in 1978. The claim then was that by failing to privatize companies, not adopting what became known as “shock therapy” in Russia and Eastern Europe, China condemned itself to stagnation. Instead in 1978-2015, China experienced average annual 9.6 percent GDP growth – the fastest by a major economy in human history.
Constance Markievicz – feminist, rebel and revolutionary
By Thomas Leary
International Women’s Day in the centenary year of the 1916 Irish Rebellion is an opportune time to recall the life and struggles of Constance Markievicz, one of the leaders of the rebellion and lifelong advocate of women’s liberation, Irish national independence and revolutionary politics.
Saudi Arabia uses British arms to kill civilians in Yemen – support the embargo!
The article below by Stephen Bell, about Britain’s involvement and support of Saudi Arabian military intervention in Yemen, was originally published by the Stop the War Coalition.
On February 25th, the European Parliament approved an EU wide arms embargo against Saudi Arabia until alleged breaches of international humanitarian law in Yemen have been fully investigated.