The triple disaster of 11 March 2011 constituted a major turning point in contemporary Japanese history — its political impact is not however unequivocal. It has provoked a radical break in the way in which many Japanese people perceive the authorities and...
state
The Revolution Begins Today | by Daniel Chavez
By definition, a revolution is a collective process, not a one-man endeavour. While the social and political legacy of Hugo Chávez is remarkable, the Bolivarian Revolution has been intrinsically tied to him as the leader. With Chávez's death, the Boliviarian...
Chronicle of a Death Foretold: The Post-Chávez Venezuelan Conjuncture | by Jeffery R. Webber
On live television, Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolás Maduro choked on his words. Hugo Chávez, the improbable President, born in the rural poverty of Sabaneta, in the state of Barinas, in 1954 had died of cancer.[1] To his wealthy and light-skinned enemies he was evil...
Chávez’s Chief Legacy: Building, with People, an Alternative Society to Capitalism | by Marta Harnecker
When Hugo Chávez triumphed in the 1998 presidential elections, the neoliberal capitalist model was already foundering. The choice then was none other than whether to re-establish the neoliberal capitalist model -- clearly with some changes including greater concern...
Hands off COSATU
How ironic that the attack on COSATU comes from within. Ironic but not unexpected. Supporters of the SACP/ANC faction in COSATU want to get rid of Vavi as he is too independent minded and too critical of Zuma and the government. He has been outspoken against the...
Chávez’s Legacy | by Mark Weisbrot
Bertrand Russell once wrote about the American revolutionary Thomas Paine, "He had faults, like other men; but it was for his virtues that he was hated and successfully calumniated." This was certainly true of Hugo Chávez Frias, who was probably more demonized than...
All That Is Solid Melts Into Sewage
February 14, 2013 The hyenas awake! (Apologies to actually existing hyenas, who are deeply impressive and sexually progressive beasts apart from their scrawny hind-legs.) The cannibals are sharpening their carving-knives! The vultures circle in the sunset! The...
Pampering of rich too costly | by Dick Forslund
Speculation is rife in anticipation of next week's budget speech. Will Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announce tax increases? Might the tax rate for personal income above R617 000 increase to 42 percent? Might it even return to 45 percent for the portion of income...
Editorial : Polokwane to Mangaung: five wasted years: What prospects for the Left?
Polokwane has come and gone. Mangaung is upon us and the prospects for the left remains the same: quite dismal, at least inside the ANC, with its current power configurations. Talk of a 2nd transition or of a Lula moment conjure the illusion of a break with what's...



