Latin America’s Twenty-First Century Socialism
The article below by Ian Richardson, reviews the book A World to Build: New Paths toward Twenty-First Century Socialism by Marta Harnecker, and was originally published by Counterfire.
International
Government parties of austerity trounced in Irish election – Sinn Fein advances
The governing coalition of Fine Gael and Labour suffered a humiliating rejection at the hands of Irish voters in the General Election and the anti-austerity forces advanced. This continued the pattern evident in both the Portuguese and Spanish elections in 2015. It may also set the stage for renewed elections to the Dáil in Dublin later this year as no party looks able to form a stable government.
Two visions of Ireland at stake in the General Election
By Frances Davis and Ian Richardson
The much-anticipated General Election in the southern Irish state, called for 26 February, has brought into sharp focus two clear political alternatives – a continuation of right wing austerity politics or a break with it, in favour of a left wing alternative. The fact that the election is taking place in the centenary year of the 1916 Rising also gives an added significance – and one which is not just based on an historic poignancy. Most of the fundamental tasks of 1916 are yet to be accomplished.
The general significance of China’s discussion on the economy’s ‘supply side’
The following article, by John Ross, on China’s discussion on the economy’s ‘supply side’, was previously published by Socialist Economic Bulletin.
A major discussion is taking place in China on the issue of its economy’s ‘supply side’. Naturally there are aspects of this which relate to specifically Chinese issues. Discussion in China also differs fundamentally from that in the West in that it takes place simultaneously in both ‘Western’ and ‘Marxist’ economic terms. Nevertheless the overall framework of this discussion equally relates to the key issues of economic policy in Western countries.
Latin American left needs to study China’s ‘revolution in production’
The following article, by John Ross, on the lessons of China’s ‘revolution in production’ for the Latin American left, previously appeared on Socialist Economic Bulletin.
In the later part of the 20th century Latin America suffered an economic catastrophe from neo-liberal policies. Until 1993 average per capita GDP in developing Latin American economies remained below 1981 levels. By 1998 annual average per capita GDP growth was still only 0.9% – taking a five-year average to remove cyclical fluctuations.
Podemos big winner in Spanish elections
The outcome of the Spanish general election is unclear as no major party has an overall majority or even an obvious political partner(s) with which it could form one. The poll overall represents a shift to the left, but a shift insufficient to place the anti-austerity forces in government.