academic

Nobama campaign – some lessons

From the 26th June to the 3rd July, US imperialism sent its chief political representative to Africa on a public relations exercise. The trip was cynically billed as building 'trade ties' and 'strengthening democratic institutions'. In the end, it emerged that Obama...

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The Weirdness Closes In

The Weirdness Closes In

On the face of it, Mamphela Ramphele's long political Calvary has not seemed so strange. It has been clear ever since she returned to South Africa, flushed with neoliberal propaganda and plugging effortlessly into the right-wing smear campaign against President Mbeki,...

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Lies, damned lies and statistics

Lies. damned lies and statistics. It’s a cliché that has been used several times in this column over the years. I have used it because statistical data, especially about employment and the cost of living, can influence attitudes, opinions and policy decisions. As...

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