The aim of this website is to defend Marxist ideas and their validity for today’s labour movement. To find out more, contact us.

Marx’s Economics and Lord Desai’s ‘revenge’: A response to the book ‘Marx’s Revenge’ by Meghnad Desai – Part Seven: The meaning of Marx’s reproduction schemes
When Meghnad Desai comes to discuss this aspect of Marx’s work, this is the area where his ‘equilibrium’ interpretation of Marx’s economics leads him most seriously astray. He seems to imply that Marx can be used to defend the idea of the long-term survival of capitalism, which is something alien to Marx. It is also an oversimplification of what Marx said. By Mick Brooks (July 2005)

In Spanish:
Israel: El retiro de Gaza, ¿un paso adelante hacia la paz?
Spanish translation of Israel: The withdrawal from Gaza ... a step towards peace? by Yossi Schwartz (August 22, 2005)

In Dutch:
Twee succesvolle publieke bijeenkomsten van de Internationale Marxistische Tendens in Caracas: een pleidooi voor het marxisme
Dutch translation of Two Successful Public Meetings of the Marxist Tendency in Caracas – Caracas hears the case for Marxism by our correspondent in Caracas (August 17, 2005)

Marx’s Economics and Lord Desai’s ‘revenge’: A response to the book ‘Marx’s Revenge’ by Meghnad Desai – Part Six: The socialist calculation debate
The socialist calculation debate is usually regarded as beginning in 1920 with a challenge to the socialists thrown down by the right wing Austrian economist von Mises. He opined that rational economic calculation would be impossible in a socialist commonwealth. Unfortunately, the socialists who took up this challenge did not, with the sole exception of Maurice Dobb of the British Communist Party, regard themselves as Marxists. By Mick Brooks (July 2005)

Threat To Chavez’s Life
On Monday, Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America and a former presidential candidate, openly called for the assassination of the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. He revealed the unspoken intentions of US imperialism. By Rob Sewell (August 24, 2005)

Pakistan: Marxist Youth Summer School in Kashmir
Earlier this month, 80 young, enthusiastic Marxists and members of YFIS from all across Pakistan participated in a three-day youth summer school in Rawlakot, a city in Pakistani held Kashmir. Many of the comrades travelled long distances to get to the city high up in the mountains in order to participate in the school.

In Spanish:
65 años del asesinato de León Trotsky
Spanish translation of Sixty-five years since Trotsky’s Death by Rob Sewell (August 22, 2005)

Israel: The withdrawal from Gaza ... a step towards peace?
The withdrawal from the Gaza Strip began last Wednesday and has deeply divided both Israelis and Palestinians. Yossi Schwartz in Jerusalem looks at the Israeli pullout and what it means. (August 21, 2005)

Israel: The 1967 War
We publish this article by Yossi Schwartz on the War of 1967 to provide some background information to the recent Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. (June, 2005)

In German:
Zwei erfolgreiche Veranstaltungen der Internationalen Marxistischen Tendenz in Caracas
German translation of Two Successful Public Meetings of the Marxist Tendency in Caracas – Caracas hears the case for Marxism by our correspondent in Caracas (August 17, 2005)

Barquisimeto (Venezuela): Two Successful Meetings of the Marxist Revolutionary Current
We publish this report on two successful meetings held in Venezuela by the Marxist Revolutionary Current (CMR) over the weekend. The first meeting was partly to celebrate the victory of the workers of the Social Security in Barquisimeto and second was a lecture by Alan Woods on the parallels between the Great French Revolution and the Bolivarian Revolution. (August 22, 2005)

Sixty-five years since Trotsky’s Death
Yesterday marked the 65th anniversary of the death of Leon Trotsky. He had been brutally struck down on August 20, 1940 by the hand of an assassin, an agent of Joseph Stalin, and rushed to hospital where he died at 7.25 p.m. the following day. He was sixty years old. On this commemoration, Rob Sewell takes a look at Trotsky’s life. (August 22, 2005)

How it Happened
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the death of Leon Trotsky, we publish this piece by Natalia Sedova Trotsky about the assassination of her husband. (November, 1940)

Two Successful Public Meetings of the Marxist Tendency in Caracas – Caracas hears the case for Marxism
On Tuesday August 16, as a follow up to the spectacularly successful intervention of the International Marxist Tendency in the World Youth Festival, the CMR (Venezuelan Revolutionary Marxist Current) and the JSR (Revolutionary Socialist Youth) organized two public meetings in the Caracas Mayoral Offices (Alcaldía Metrpolitana). By our correspondent in Caracas (August 17, 2005)

Chavez calls for democracy at work
Although we would not normally reproduce articles from the bourgeois press, we felt that this article, which recently appeared on the BBC news website, would be of interest to our readers and supporters. The article looks at the question of workers' control at the ALCASA aluminium plant in Venezuela.

In Spanish:
Alan Woods: “Bolivarianismo sólo puede concretarse en el marxismo”
Reproducimos este artículo publicado en aporrea.org el 19/08/05 sobre la participación de Alan Woods en un foro político sobre Venezuela celebrado en Caracas, en el que Woods habla del ejemplo que supone Venezuela para todos los revolucionarios, el troskismo y la revolución permanente y los peligros a los que todavía se enfrenta la revolución.

Global Warming: The Arctic is Melting
The debate over global warming and the consequences it may or may not have for planet Earth and humanity has been raging for several decades now. Global warming is an endless source of controversy, but one thing is clear – our climate is changing. By Rob Lyon. (August 18, 2005)

In Dutch:
16e Wereldfestival voor Jongeren en Studenten: Chavez roept nogmaals op voor het socialisme als enige manier om het kapitalisme te verslaan
Begin deze week huldigde Chavez het 16e Wereldfestival voor Jongeren en Studenten in met een speech. Maarten Vanheuverswyn en Ramon Samblas waren er bij en geven hier een ooggetuigenverslag van deze radicale toespraak. (August 12, 2005)

Marx’s Economics and Lord Desai’s ‘revenge’: A response to the book ‘Marx’s Revenge’ by Meghnad Desai – Part Five: Welfare economics
Marxist economics answers the question ‘how did the many start poor?’ with an analysis of primitive accumulation, the historical process of the dispossession of the toilers from the means of production and creation of a propertyless working class. We then go on to explain capitalist production as the production not just of commodities, but also of rich and poor. Reproduction is the reproduction not just of factories and offices, but of the capitalists who own them and the workers who labour in them. By Mick Brooks (July 2005)

In German:
Gründungskonferenz der Revolutionären Sozialistischen Jugend (JSR) in Venezuela
Am 9. Juli wurde in Barquisimeto die Revolutionäre Sozialistische Jugend (JSR) gegründet. 35 VertreterInnen diverser Jugend- und Studentenorganisationen kamen nach Barquisimeto, eine der Hochburgen der revolutionären Jugendbewegung, um über das Programm und Aktionen der neuen Jugendorganisationen zu diskutieren. (August 4, 2005)

The 400th anniversary of Don Quixote
Spain in the age of Cervantes - Part Two
Every ruling class entertains the same illusions about itself. In their imaginations they are conquering heroes, when in reality they are involved in the most sordid and dirty business. Cervantes reflects the breaking down of the old feudal society and a transition towards a capitalist society and morality, based on money not rank. By Alan Woods (July 15, 2005)

Britain: The filth of capitalist democracy exposed as cleaners demand decent conditions and pay
The Houses of Parliament cleaners made history by staging their first walk-out on the morning of 20th July. At 10 am the strikers assembled outside St. Stephens’ entrance together with some MPs, parliamentary staff and the media to publicise their demands. The strikers were chanting slogans like “Low Pay, No Way” while some of them were brandishing placards and mops. (July 20, 2005)

Picket in solidarity with Cipla/Interfibra workers in Vienna
On Thursday, July 14, a group of Young Socialists and representatives of the Editorial Board of Der Funke organised a picket in front of the Brazilian embassy to protest against the threatened repression of the Cipla and Interfibra workers who have occupied their factories to defend their jobs. (July 20, 2005)

The 400th anniversary of Don Quixote
Spain in the age of Cervantes - Part One
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the first publication of Don Quixote, the greatest masterpiece of Spanish literature. The working class, the class that has the greatest interest in fighting to defend culture, should celebrate this anniversary enthusiastically. This was the first great modern novel, written in a language that ordinary men and women could understand. By Alan Woods (July 15, 2005)

The Red Storm – Largest student rally in the history of Kashmir
On July 7, a rally of more than 2000 students and youth broke the deep silence of the Jhelum Valley road in Muzaffarabad Azad, Kashmir and its surroundings. The participants of the rally waved huge red flags and banners and chanted revolutionary slogans while riding on the roofs of buses and wagons. The convoy disrupted and even paralyzed the routine life of the valley and every viewer called it a “red storm”. (July 16, 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
Venezuelan trade union leaders at British TUC fringe meeting
After the success in raising solidarity for Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution at the British trade union conferences, the next step of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign will be the intervention at the Trades Union Congress in Brighton in September. NATFHE will move a resolution in support of Venezuela and fringe meeting with Orlando Chirino and Marcela Máspero, National Coordinators of the UNT has also been organised. (July 17, 2005)

Chavez announces expropriation of closed factories – Venezuela debates socialism
In his weekly Alo Presidente TV programme, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez announced that some 136 closed factories are being surveyed with the aim of expropriating them. Within the workers’ movement this has been enthusiastically received. The main discussion now is what is meant by socialism, how to apply “co-management” and what the role of the workers is in the revolutionary process and in the economy. By Jorge Martin (July 18, 2005)

Labour Left Rally in London
Despite clashing with both the RISE festival and the traditional Tollpuddle Rally, the main hall at the TUC’s Congress House was largely full for this year’s AGM and rally of the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), the main new umbrella grouping for Left activists inside the Labour Party. Amongst others, a number of the platform speakers from the trade union movement, including Jeremy Dear (NUJ), Mark Serwotka (PCS) and Paul Mackney (NATFHE) took time to outline the ongoing process of attacks against the public sector being carried out by the government. (July 18, 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
Hands Off Venezuela making inroads in the trade union movement
On May 1, to coincide with the celebration of International Workers' day, the Hands Off Venezuela campaign launched an “Open Letter to US trade unionists”. The response to the appeal has been a great success. More than 1000 trade unionists have so far signed the Open Letter, coming from a wide range of countries, from Argentina to Canada; Mexico to Sweden; Israel to Austria. Signatories come from more than 20 different countries, including more than 300 signatures from members of all major unions in Britain. (July 18, 2005)

Early elections in Germany: Social Democrats faced with a new left wing competitor
Schröder has dissolved the Bundestag and has called early elections for September 18. Polls show a drastic fall in the SPD vote and the most likely outcome seems a victory of the right wing Christian Democrats. But on the left a new formation is emerging, the Left Alliance, made up of the PDS (former Communist Party of East Germany) and the WASG, a left split of disenchanted social democrats and trade unionists, and the former leader of the left of the SPD, Oskar Lafontaine, is preparing to be its main leader. The crisis of German capitalism is preparing the ground for greater instability and a polarization of German society. By Hans-Gerd Öfinger, Der Funke editorial board (July 15 2005)

Founding Conference of the Revolutionary Socialist Youth held in Venezuela
July 9, Barquisimeto, 35 youth gathered to form the Socialist Revolutionary Youth (JSR). Students, activists and sympathisers from various organisations attended this event. In addition to those attending from Barquisimeto, there were comrades from Caracas, Merida, Tachira and Los Teques from different youth and student organisations, amongst them the Yacambu Revolutionary Movement, the Resistance collective, the Rebel America Front and the youth of the Revolutionary Marxist Current. (July 13, 2005)

In Spanish:
Realizado el Encuentro Fundacional de la Juventud Socialista Revolucionaria
El pasado 09 de julio se llevó a cabo un encuentro juvenil donde se conformó la nueva “Juventud Socialista Revolucionaria”, realizado en la ciudad de Barquisimeto. Más de 35 personas participaron en el encuentro, de Caracas, Mérida, Barquisimeto, Táchira y Los Teques, militantes de varias organizaciones estudiantiles y juveniles, entre ellas el Movimiento Revolucionario Yacambú, el colectivo Resistencia, el Frente América Rebelde, y jóvenes de la Corriente Marxista Revolucionaria. (06 de Julio del 2005)

In Dutch:
De tijdbom onder de vastgoedexplosie 
Dutch translation of The Property Time Bomb by Michael Roberts (June 2005)

Greece: militant mood emerges under new right wing government
After playing for time before last year’s Olympic games, the Greek ruling class is preparing an all-out attack on the workers of Greece. The Greek economy is beginning to slow down and this is adding to the problems of the ruling class. A recent wave of strikes and general strikes indicates that Greece is clearly moving towards a period of renewed class conflict. By Fred Weston and Stamatis Karagiannopoulos in Athens (July 10, 2005)

Karl Marx voted most revered philosopher on BBC web site
Our readers will recall that The Economist called on its readers to vote Marx off the top of the list of the most revered philosophers. We appealed to our readers to vote for Marx and keep him at the top.In spite of The Economist’s best attempts Marx won! This comes as no surprise to us. We await The Economist's explanation with interest. By Fred Weston (July 14, 2005)

In Spanish:
¡Apoyemos a los trabajadores de Inveval y las demás empresas expropiadas y cogestionadas!
Este 27 de junio se cumplieron 2 meses exactos de la firma, por parte del Presidente de la República, del decreto de expropiación de la Constructora Nacional de Válvulas (CNV). Sin embargo, en las ultimas semanas la inquietud y malestar entre los trabajadores de Inveval està creciendo a causa de varias razones. (06 de Julio del 2005)

Campaña urgente en solidaridad con los trabajadores de la empresa expropiada Inveval
Proponemos enviar resoluciones a la Presidencia y al Ministerio de Trabajo en apoyo a los trabajadores de Inveval y a la expropiación de la empresa, rechazando la demanda presentada por el empresario golpista, y que sean aceptadas las propuestas de los trabajadores su participación en la gestión. (06 de Julio del 2005)

Against the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics – in defence of Marxism
Quantum mechanics has given scientists and engineers a new and deeper understanding of physical reality. It explains the behaviour of electrons, atoms and molecules, the nature of chemical reactions, how light interacts with matter, the evolution of stars, the bio-chemistry of life and the evolution of mankind itself. Despite its successes it remains an intensely controversial theory. It suggests that very small objects such as electrons or photons behave in ways that contradict the common sense ideas. Yet many scientists to this day refuse to accept the fact that contradiction is an essential part of all matter. By Harry Nielsen. (July 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org :
Hamilton Latin American Solidarity Night a Success
Hands of Venezuela Toronto’s Alex Grant delivered a successful address at a Latin American solidarity evening in Hamilton, Ontario on July 8. Organized by the McMaster University Socialist Movement, “The Struggle for Sovereignty in Latin America,” featured speakers on Guatemala, Columbia, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. (July 13, 2005)

In Spanish:
Crisis del peronismo: Se consumó la ruptura entre Kirchner y Duhalde
La ruptura del pacto Kirchner-Duhalde y la presentación de dos listas peronistas enfrentadas en la provincia de Buenos Aires para las elecciones legislativas de octubre sitúa en un punto extremo la lucha por el control de las estructuras del PJ bonaerense y a nivel nacional. Por Aníbal Montoya (11 de Julio del 2005)

Canada and the Crisis of International Capitalism
It is a cliché of Canadian political economy to say that if the US sneezes, Canada gets a cold. When the US gets a cold, Canada suffers pneumonia. The reason for this is very simple; the Canadian economy is based on the export of manufactured goods to the United States. The Fightback Editorial Board looks at the world situation and how this affects Canada. (June 2005)

Volatile mood after London killings
Radical changes in consciousness often spring from arbitrary collective experiences. Last week’s bombings in London are no exception. On the surface, the story being broadcast and repeated by the journalists, politicians, and purveyors of “objective information” appears to be true. But there is more to it than that. By Heiko Khoo (July 11, 2005)

In Spanish:
Las consecuencias de los atentados en Londres: “La vida sigue”
Spanish translation of In the aftermath of the London bombings – “Business as usual” by Alan Woods (July 8, 2005)

The Iraq Quagmire Deepens
After Bush’s reelection, many around the world thought the end of the world had come. According to them, the American “sheeple” had been duped once and for all, and Bush would effortlessly ram through his ultra-reactionary policies at home and abroad. However, Bush’s honeymoon period disappeared in a flash. Now, seemingly overnight, the mood of the American people has finally turned against the war in Iraq. By John Peterson (July 10, 2005)

Ted Grant celebrates 92nd birthday!
Last Saturday, Ted Grant celebrated his 92nd birthday in East London together with a few comrades. On this occasion Ted wanted to take the opportunity to send greetings to all comrades, young and old. (July 11, 2005)

In Spanish:
La Unión Europea se enfrenta a la crisis más profunda de su historia
Spanish translation of European Union faces deepest crisis in its history by Maarten Vanheuverswyn (June 20, 2005)

In the aftermath of the London bombings – “Business as usual”
The recurring theme of today’s mass media coverage can be summed up in three words: “Business as usual.” After all, life goes on for most Londoners. This indomitable spirit of the ordinary people is something that Tony Blair and the Establishment are seeking to exploit. One thing is clear: if the imperialist bullying continues, the epidemic of terrorism will continue to spread uncontrollably, a terrible expression of the impasse of the capitalist system on a global scale. By Alan Woods (July 8, 2005)

Messages from the United States and Pakistan to the people of London
We received messages from the Dadu Sindh branch of the PTUDC and the American Workers' International League addressed to the people of London. (July 8, 2005)

Ted Grant's 92nd birthday!
We wish to inform our readers that tomorrow is Ted Grant’s 92nd birthday. The editorial board would like to extend, on behalf of our readership, birthday greetings to comrade Ted and also take this opportunity to express our very warm appreciation for the colossal contribution he has made to Marxism over many decades.

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
Interview with Ruben Linares, national coordinator of the UNT - "The way is socialism and workers' control"
At the end of June 2005, Ruben Linares was in Britain. Jorge Martin interviewed him for Hands Off Venezuela. (July 7, 2005)

In Spanish:
Atrocidad terrorista en Londres
Spanish translation of Terrorist atrocity in London by Alan Woods (July 7, 2005)

In Dutch:
Terroristische gruwel in Londen
Dutch translation of Terrorist atrocity in London by Alan Woods (July 7, 2005)

In Persian:
اوجگیری بحران انقلابی در بولیو
Persian translation of Bolivia: revolutionary crisis reaches its peak by Jorge Martin (June 1, 2005)

Terrorist atrocity in London
Whoever was responsible for today’s terrorist attacks in Central London showed no mercy to the innocent victims of their actions. Such activities are utterly repugnant to anybody who defends the cause of socialism and the working class. This kind of action serves only to bolster the forces of reaction. It must be condemned outright. By Alan Woods (July 7, 2005)

Blair backs nationalisation... of our identities
This article was written before today's terrorist attacks on Central London. However, today's events will undoubtedly be used to strengthen Blair's attempt to introduce ID cards in Britain, with the excuse that they will help "fight terrorism". They exist in the rest of Europe, so “what’s the big deal?” many may think. The point is they will not be mere ID cards. The legislation that is being prepared will allow the government to have detailed files on the activities of every person living in this country. By Dennis Bricker (June 2005)

In Italian:
La lotta del popolo saharawi: storia e prospettive
Italian translation of The struggle of the Saharawis, history and perspectives by Jordi Martorell (March 29, 2005)

The Property Time Bomb
The world economy is being sustained by US consumer spending and Chinese manufacturing. US consumer spending is based on the illusion of growing property values, but these cannot keep going up forever. The property bubble in the US will burst and when it does it will have devastating effects on the whole of the world economy. By Michael Roberts (June 2005)

Britain’s House of Cards Wobbles
House price increases are slowing down in Britain. In June in London prices actually fell. This is the beginning of the end of the house price bubble and it will be very painful for many families who have borrowed on the basis of the increased equity in their property. It will have a knock-on effect on the whole economy as spending is already slowing. By Phil Mitchinson (June 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
Early Day Motions in British Parliament on Venezuela and extradition of Posada Carriles - ask your MP to sign!
On July 5th, Venezuela's Independence Day, British Member of Parliament John McDonnell, who is also the Honorary President of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign, tabled two Early Day Motions. We ask all supporters of the Hands Off Venezuela Campaign to write to your MPs asking them to sign these Early Day Motions numbers 487 and 488. (July 6, 2005)

Review of 'The Venezuelan Revolution: a Marxist Perspective' written by Alan Woods
David Raby wrote a review on Alan Woods' book The Venezuelan Revolution: a Marxist Perspective for Hands Off Venezuela. David Raby is an Honourary Research Fellow at the Institute of Latin American Studies, University of Liverpool. (July 6, 2005)

In Spanish:
Condonación de la deuda a los países pobres en la cumbre del G8
Spanish translation of Debt relief for poor countries at the G8 summit: First step towards a real solution or a cunning exercise in image building? By Fenia Van den Brande and Wim Benda. (June 30, 2005)

Economía mundial: El tiempo se está acabando
Spanish translation of Time is running out by Michael Roberts (June 2005)

War on Poverty Means War on the Poor
The Gleneagles G8 summit meeting will not go down in history as the day world poverty ended. World musicians have been trying to raise awareness about world poverty and put pressure on politicians. The next day, George W Bush appeared on TV to reassure us that nothing concrete will be done for the poor. Instead of appealing to these people we should be organising to overthrow them and their rotten system. By Phil Mitchinson (July 4, 2005)

South African Workers Stage General Strike
Last week’s general strike in South Africa was little reported by the media. They were too busy concentrating on the G8 summit and Live8. But the strike highlighted one key point: it will be the workers of Africa who will put an end to poverty through their own struggles. By Karl Belin (July 4, 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
UNT leader Stalin Perez Borges speaking in California
The U.S. Hands Off Venezuela Campaign, San Francisco Labor Council, and Open World Conference have invited Stalin Perez Borges of the Venezuelan UNT (National Union of Workers) for a series of meetings in California between September 22 and October 2, 2005. We invite all Hands Off Venezuela supporters in California, across the United States and around the world to support this important initiative.

In Spanish:
Una delegación de El Militante, Sindicato de Estudiantes y Fundación Federico Engels es recibida en la Embajada de Brasil en Madrid para tratar el tema de las fábricas ocupadas en Brasil
Viernes día 1 de julio una delegación con representantes de El Militante, Sindicato de Estudiantes y de la Fundación Federico Engels se ha reunido con Joel Sampaio, asesor político del Embajador de Brasil en España, para expresar su preocupación por la situación de las empresas ocupadas Cipla e Interfibra.

Crisis en el gobierno de Lula y en el PT
El gobierno de Lula está atravesando la crisis política más grave en dos años. La corrupción política que afecta a la cúpula del PT condujo a la dimisión del Jefe de Gabinete y máximo representante del "aparato" del PT, José Dirceu. Por Aníbal Montoya (27 de Junio del 2005)

Cumbre del G-8 en Gleneagles – El capitalismo no es la solución, es el problema
Spanish translation of G8 Gleneagles summit: Capitalism is not the solution – it is the problem by Mick Brooks (June 13, 2005)

“With the hard disk full of socialism”
Roza Javan is a young Iranian activist. She discovered the ideas of Socialism, of Marxism and has never looked back since. She comes from a humble working class family, and suffers the double oppression of being both working class and a young woman. She is determined to change all this and believes that the only way out is a socialist revolution. She has taken her pseudonym Roza Javan from Rosa Luxemburg. “Javan” means young: therefore she is the “the young Rosa”. (June 2005)

“The survival of the Cuban Revolution depends on the impulse of Latin America”
An interview with Celia Hart published in La Jornada, Wednesday, June 29, 2005. See also the original Spanish text.

In Arabic:
بوليفيا: الرئيس الجديد يحاول إيقاع حركة الجماهير في الفخ البرلماني
Arabic translation of Bolivia: new president tries to divert the movement towards parliamentary trap By Jorge Martin (June 13, 2005)

In Portuguese:
Solidariedade urgente para com os trabalhadores das fábricas ocupadas no Brasil
Portuguese translation of Imminent danger of imprisonment of the leader and police occupation of the factories. (June 28,2005)

G8 Alternatives Summit Review
In the wake of one of the largest demonstrations in the history of Scotland, Edinburgh hosted one of the biggest political debates in the country in recent times. Up to 4,500 people spread over five different venues in the city centre participated in the G8 Alternatives Summit. (July 3, 2005)

Small Stop the War Coalition demonstration marches through Edinburgh
Today the Stop the War Coalition called for a demonstration against the occupation in Iraq following up from yesterday's huge Make Poverty History march. (July 3, 2005)

Colombia: To organize and fight means death
Ramon Samblas interviewed Juan Carlos Galvis from SINALTRAINAL, the Colombian food processing and beverages trade union. Juan Carlos spoke today at one of the recent G8 Alternative meetings. (June 29, 2005)

Over 200,000 take to the streets of Edinburgh to protest against the misery produced by capitalism
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators today rejected the fact that 2/3 of the world's population live on the poverty line. Ramon Samblas reports from the Make Poverty History March in Edinburgh. (July 2, 2005)

Gleneagles: The G8 comes to town
The G8 is coming to town. During the G8 summit in Gleneagles we will see a whole range of experts and analysts lecturing us about the beauties and the problems of the world market, but that will only be a smoke screen behind which to hide the real issue. By Brian Conlon in Edinburgh (June 29, 2005)

Marxist.com supporters at the Make Poverty History demo
Marxist.com supporters from Edinburgh as well as Glasgow, London, Cambridge, Birmingham, Newcastle, Cambridge and Liverpool joined protesters at the Make Poverty History march today. Their aim was to put forward the ideas of Marxism as the way to end capitalism – the real cause of poverty nowadays. (July 2, 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
Hands Off Venezuela tackling poverty at the G8 summit
The Hands Off Venezuela campaign had a good presence in today’s anti-G8 protests in Edinburgh. A couple of London based supporters joined their comrades in Edinburgh to inform the protesters about what is happening in Venezuela. (July 2, 2005)

Debt relief for poor countries at the G8 summit: First step towards a real solution or a cunning exercise in image building?
As the G8 summit approaches the focus of the entire world is on Third World debt. G8 leaders are expected to announce the cancellation of debt for 18 of the world's poorest countries. Will this gesture actually achieve anything, or is it simply an attempt on the part of the imperialists to clean up their image? By Fenia Van den Brande and Wim Benda. (June 30, 2005)

Globalisation and the G8 Summit
Globalisation was supposed to bring progress and prosperity to the Third World. The reality is that it has only brought more poverty and misery. By Heather Scott. (June 2005)

In Spanish:
La oruga, el caracol y el EZLN. Una nueva oportunidad para una política revolucionaria
El EZLN ha vivido algo parecido a una metamorfosis durante los últimos 4 años, desde el fracasado intento porque el gobierno aprobara la ley de derechos y cultura indígena. (30 de Junio del 2005)

In French:
Urgent : solidarité avec les travailleurs des usines occupées au Brésil
French translation of Imminent danger of imprisonment of the leader and police occupation of the factories. (June 28,2005)

Ireland: Speech by IRSP member at Wolfe Tone commemoration
After reading the recent report of the visit to the Basque country by leading members of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, and the introduction contributed to Alan Woods’ book Republicanism and Revolution by the IRSP’s Gerry Ruddy, there is a widespread interest in finding out more about the political ideas of the IRSP. Therefore we are publishing the following speech, delivered by IRSP member John Murtagh to a gathering of 200 members of the Republican Socialist Movement at Bodenstown, the burial place of the founding father of Irish Republicanism, Wolfe Tone. (June 30, 2005)

Message of thanks from Manzoor Ahmed to John McDonnell MP
Manzoor Ahmed, the Pakistani Marxist MP, sent a letter to John McDonnell MP to thank him for the Early Day Motion in support of PTCL workers we published earlier on. We provide the letter here for our readers. (June 29, 2005)

G8 summit, democracy and the right to protest
Over the last month we have seen how all the various ideological ‘arguments’ of capitalism have been used to stop people from protesting at the coming summit of the eight most important political representatives of capitalism in the world. Ray Smith reports from Edinburgh. (June 30, 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
“Venezuela from below” - The voice of the rank and file of the Bolivarian Revolution
Dario Azzellini is the co-director of the new documentary film “Venezuela from below”. Jorge Martin interviewed him for Hands Off Venezuela about the film and his views on the Bolivarian revolution. (June 30, 2005)

In Spanish:
Reseña sobre la Charla de Celia Hart en Puebla
Celia Hart habla a los estudiantes y trabajadores en Puebla Celia Hart visitó éste lunes 27 de junio la Ciudad de Puebla, dando dos charlas públicas sobre las "Perspectivas para Cuba en el Marco de la Revolución Latinoamericana". (30 de Junio del 2005)

In German:
Solidarität mit den ArbeiterInnen besetzter Fabriken in Brasilien - Staatliche Repression stoppen!
German translation of Imminent danger of imprisonment of the leader and police occupation of the factories. (June 28,2005)

New book by Alan Woods:
Marxism and the U.S.A.
In his new book, Alan Woods examines the broad sweep of American history from a Marxist perspective. Many Americans view the ideas of socialism and Marxism with suspicion and distrust. In Marxism and the U.S.A., the author shows that these ideas are not at all foreign to the history and traditions of the American people. The book can be ordered from Wellred USA for $15 within the U.S. and for $20 for International orders. (June 29, 2005)

Introduction to Marxism and the U.S.A.
Marxism and the USA is an updated and greatly expanded version of an essay on this question originally written in 2002. We produce here Alan Woods’ introduction to give our readers an idea of what the book is about. (June 29, 2005)

Britain: No To Health Privatisation – Keep The NHS Public
British Health Minister Patricia Hewitt has recently announced that the government is to stump up £3 billion extra for operations. Good news? Not entirely – the entire wad is to be passed over to the private sector. By Mick Brooks (June 2005)

In Spanish:
Realizado con éxito el I Encuentro Sindical de la CMR
Durante el fin de semana del 18 y 19 de junio se celebró en Los Teques (Edo. Miranda) el I Encuentro Sindical de la CMR bajo la consigna “Por la creación de una Tendencia de Izquierda Socialista en la UNT”. (29 de Junio del 2005)

In German:
Warum die Scheinwahlen im Iran so interessant wurden?
German translation of Why is the sham ‘presidential election’ in Iran becoming so bitter? by Morad Shirin (June 2005)

Urgent solidarity with the workers of the occupied factories in Brazil
Imminent danger of imprisonment of the leader and police occupation of the factories
In 2002 the workers of Cipla and Interfibra occupied their factories to defend 1,000 jobs. In the last few days the possibility of imprisonment of the coordinator of the Factory Council, Serge Goulart, and the occupation by the police of these factories is increasing. We appeal to all trade unionists and left politicians, to all the progressive organisations internationally, to workers and youth in general, to send resolutions demanding an immediate cessation to the threats against the workers of the occupied factories in Brazil. (June 28,2005)

Amicus Conference 2005: Return the union to its members
“Attending this conference and its fringe meetings has indicated a change in mood. Derek Simpson has said that he wants to return Amicus to where it belongs that is in the hands of the membership, not as an extended hand of the multinationals. Activists in the union have to make sure that this is carried out in practice.” Alan Tomala, Honda Convener, on the recent Amicus Conference. (June 2005)

In Spanish:
Solidaridad urgente con los trabajadores de las fábricas ocupadas en Brasil
En el año 2002 los trabajadores de las fábricas Cipla e Interfibra ocuparon estas empresas para defender los 1.000 puestos de trabajo. En los últimos días la posibilidad de que se encarcele al coordinador del Consejo de Fábricas y se intervenga policialmente en las empresas se está acrecentando. Reproducimos a continuación la Carta Urgente al Presidente Lula hecha por Serge Goulart, el Coordinador del Consejo de Fábricas, que nos ha hecho llegar una petición urgente de solidaridad internacional. (28 de Junio del 2005)

Reflexiones sobre mi última visita a Venezuela
Spanish translation of Reflections on a recent visit to Venezuela (June 10, 2005)

Pakistan – Socialism or Barbarism
Pakistan is a country where Lenin’s famous phrase “socialism or barbarism” rings absolutely true. The present situation in Pakistan is characterized by fundamental instability. From this instability flow social and class conflicts, which could move Pakistan to the top of the world political agenda in the coming years. Marie Frederiksen in Denmark takes a look at the history of a country torn apart by divisions. (June 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
Cuba, Colombia and Venezuela find an echo at the UNISON conference
On the occasion of the National Conference of UNISON (public sector workers union) the Hands Off Venezuela and the Colombia Solidarity Campaign supporters in UNISON organised a meeting on the evening of June 22 to catch the attention of the delegates attending the conference of the biggest trade union in Britain. (June 26, 2005)

In Spanish:
A cien años de la teoría de la relatividad
En 1905, a la edad de 26 años, un joven examinador de patentes, de dudosos méritos académicos, de nombre Albert Einstein inició lo que sería una de las más grandes revoluciones científicas de la era moderna, ese año, él enuncio la Teoría de la Relatividad Especial, acaso la contribución máxima de un sólo individuo a la física desde los tiempos de Newton. (24 de Junio del 2005)

In Vietnamese:
ABC về phép biện chứng duy vật
Vietnamese translation of The ABC of Materialist Dialectics by Leon Trotsky. (December 15, 1939)

Why is the sham ‘presidential election’ in Iran becoming so bitter?
The Iranian Revolutionary Socialists’ League, like all left-wing groups, has called for an active boycott of the regime’s ‘elections’. When the constitution bars all those who question the existence of the regime, when even the regime’s own supporters are not freely allowed to publicise their programme and are not given equal treatment or allowed to choose their own candidates, then there is nothing here that can be called an election. By Morad Shirin (June 2005)

From Handsoffvenezuela.org:
Venezuela, Oil and the struggle for Democratic Socialism in the 21st Century
The following is an article written by Roland Schmidt for an upcoming NDYC (New Democratic Youth of Canada) newsletter focusing on Venezuela and the Hands off Venezuela campaign. (June 15, 2005)

In Spanish:
Venezuela: El carácter socialista de la revolución pasa al primer plano del debate

In French:
PCF : programme et participation gouvernementale
Dans la perspective du prochain congrès national du PCF, La Riposte souhaite que le texte suivant bénéficie d’une diffusion aussi large que possible auprès des adhérents du parti. Si vous pensez qu’il apporte une contribution positive aux discussions préalables au congrès, merci de le signer. (juin 2005)