Breaking the Glass Ceiling to Attack Other Women

Marine Le Pen and Giorgia Meloni represent a new model of far-right political marketing. It presents Western neoliberalism as a beacon of women’s empowerment — claiming to defend women’s rights, even as they attack migrants and low-earners.

Democratic Elites Embraced the “Identity Politics” They Decry

After eight years of using shallow “identity politics” as a cudgel against the Left, Democratic pundits and elected officials are now blaming leftists themselves for the fact that such politics took over the party.

Jean-François Lyotard and the Algerian Revolution

Jean-François Lyotard is best remembered today as a theorist of postmodernism. During the 1950s, Lyotard was actively involved in supporting Algeria’s freedom struggle, while realistically identifying the problems that would come after independence.

“Glicked”: Are You Not Entertained?

Don’t fight the arrival of Wicked and Gladiator II. Accept them, allow them both to wash over you and leave no trace.

The Bipartisan Origins of the New Cold War

At the start of the century, there was a consensus that the US should cooperate, rather than compete, with China. But starting with Obama, American presidents embraced the idea of arresting China’s rise, opening the door to Trump’s trade wars and hawkishness.

Facing Embezzlement Charges, Marine Le Pen Plays the Victim

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is embroiled in an embezzlement trial that could see her barred from public office. After long demanding such bans for corrupt politicians, she now casts herself as victim of a judicial conspiracy.

John Milton’s Paradise Lost Mourned a Revolution Betrayed

John Milton died 350 years ago, leaving behind Paradise Lost, a poem composed in a state of deep despair. Blind, alone, and reeling from the failures of the English Revolution, Milton wrote an epic reflection on political defeat and the possibility of hope.

Australian Construction Workers Are Fighting Back

When Australia’s Labor government overrode union rights — and justice — to place the construction union under administration, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thought he’d played a trump card. He couldn’t have been more wrong.

Democracy Is Not a Customer Loyalty Program

Liberal democracy’s assumption that political parties must compete for votes in the same way that businesses compete for customers is a dangerous trap. It reduces voting to a mere transactional choice and erases the participatory vision of self-governance

We Must Defend Medicaid From Trump’s Cuts

The Left is not in a position to win Medicare for All under the Trump administration. But we have an important battle that can position us for future victories: defending Medicaid, which demonstrated the power of public health care during the pandemic.

How American Dockworkers Fought Apartheid in South Africa

Forty years ago today, San Francisco dockworkers struck a blow against apartheid by refusing to unload cargo from South Africa. That kind of international worker solidarity is badly needed today to end Israeli genocide and apartheid.

Why the IRA Didn’t Help Democrats

“Energy workers,” a union leader told us, “are politically homeless.” Here’s why the IRA legislation didn’t do much to change things.

Disaster Fantasies Are Paying Off for Right-Wingers

There are plenty of real catastrophes in today’s world. But from military build-up to fantasies of mass deportation, right-wingers are promising their supporters better disasters: ones where they get to be in charge.

Sri Lanka’s People Have Kicked Out the Old Political Class

The progressive alliance that backs Sri Lanka’s new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, won a landslide victory in last week’s parliamentary election. The government has a clear mandate for change but now faces many obstacles to its reform agenda.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling to Attack Other Women

Marine Le Pen and Giorgia Meloni represent a new model of far-right political marketing. It presents Western neoliberalism as a beacon of women’s empowerment — claiming to defend women’s rights, even as they attack migrants and low-earners.

Democratic Elites Embraced the “Identity Politics” They Decry

After eight years of using shallow “identity politics” as a cudgel against the Left, Democratic pundits and elected officials are now blaming leftists themselves for the fact that such politics took over the party.

Jean-François Lyotard and the Algerian Revolution

Jean-François Lyotard is best remembered today as a theorist of postmodernism. During the 1950s, Lyotard was actively involved in supporting Algeria’s freedom struggle, while realistically identifying the problems that would come after independence.

“Glicked”: Are You Not Entertained?

Don’t fight the arrival of Wicked and Gladiator II. Accept them, allow them both to wash over you and leave no trace.

The Bipartisan Origins of the New Cold War

At the start of the century, there was a consensus that the US should cooperate, rather than compete, with China. But starting with Obama, American presidents embraced the idea of arresting China’s rise, opening the door to Trump’s trade wars and hawkishness.

Facing Embezzlement Charges, Marine Le Pen Plays the Victim

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is embroiled in an embezzlement trial that could see her barred from public office. After long demanding such bans for corrupt politicians, she now casts herself as victim of a judicial conspiracy.

John Milton’s Paradise Lost Mourned a Revolution Betrayed

John Milton died 350 years ago, leaving behind Paradise Lost, a poem composed in a state of deep despair. Blind, alone, and reeling from the failures of the English Revolution, Milton wrote an epic reflection on political defeat and the possibility of hope.

Australian Construction Workers Are Fighting Back

When Australia’s Labor government overrode union rights — and justice — to place the construction union under administration, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thought he’d played a trump card. He couldn’t have been more wrong.

Democracy Is Not a Customer Loyalty Program

Liberal democracy’s assumption that political parties must compete for votes in the same way that businesses compete for customers is a dangerous trap. It reduces voting to a mere transactional choice and erases the participatory vision of self-governance

We Must Defend Medicaid From Trump’s Cuts

The Left is not in a position to win Medicare for All under the Trump administration. But we have an important battle that can position us for future victories: defending Medicaid, which demonstrated the power of public health care during the pandemic.

How American Dockworkers Fought Apartheid in South Africa

Forty years ago today, San Francisco dockworkers struck a blow against apartheid by refusing to unload cargo from South Africa. That kind of international worker solidarity is badly needed today to end Israeli genocide and apartheid.

Why the IRA Didn’t Help Democrats

“Energy workers,” a union leader told us, “are politically homeless.” Here’s why the IRA legislation didn’t do much to change things.

Disaster Fantasies Are Paying Off for Right-Wingers

There are plenty of real catastrophes in today’s world. But from military build-up to fantasies of mass deportation, right-wingers are promising their supporters better disasters: ones where they get to be in charge.

Sri Lanka’s People Have Kicked Out the Old Political Class

The progressive alliance that backs Sri Lanka’s new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, won a landslide victory in last week’s parliamentary election. The government has a clear mandate for change but now faces many obstacles to its reform agenda.