The year 2022 has been a year in which much of the inflammable material in world politics – accumulating and smouldering over decades – has burst into flames. War, hunger, mass displacement and spiralling prices torment humanity. Meanwhile, we have seen industrial unrest, revolutions, and accompanying them, coups, counter-revolutions and repression. But to recall a folk expression: “The fire that bends the iron, tempers the steel.”
Raising interest rates: a recipe for world recession
The past few months have seen central banks scrambling to raise interest rates to control inflation. Yesterday, the Federal Reserve introduced another 0.75 percentage point hike, and the Bank of England will follow suit today. This spate of rate hikes caused mortgage rates to multiply, government borrowing rates to spiral, and now a recession looms. This will be painful for ordinary people, but will the ruling class achieve its aims?
Kenya: Ruto and Odinga rotten to the core – revolutionary alternative needed!
William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya's fifth president on Tuesday 13 September, a week after the Supreme Court rejected a challenge by his opponent in a close-fought election, in which Ruto received 50.5 percent of the vote against 48.8 percent for Raila Odinga. Neither of these reactionary bourgeois politicians offered any way forward for the Kenyan masses, who face increasingly intolerable conditions.
The implications of Russia’s defeat in the Kharkiv front
In the last few days, Ukrainian forces have made significant advances on the Kharkiv front, forcing the Russians into a disorganised retreat. Where did this surprise counteroffensive come from and what is its significance for the war overall?
Britain: death of the Queen – from one era to another
As the country’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II represented a bygone age of stability. Her passing marks the beginning of a new era of crisis; another crumbling pillar of the British establishment, heralding revolutionary upheavals.
Pelosi recklessly provokes China with Taiwan visit
After days of intensive speculation and evasion, US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi landed in Taipei, Taiwan on a US Air Force Jet yesterday. This reckless and reactionary provocation towards China by US imperialism threatens to destabilise the entire Indo-Pacific region.
The world in 2022: the gathering storm
The following article is based on a speech delivered by marxist.com editor, Alan Woods, at the recent, hugely successful, International Marxist University. The world situation is characterised by war, chaos and crisis at all levels, leading some to draw the most pessimistic conclusions. In reality, an old order is dying and a new one is struggling to be born. We see that with the revolutionary eruptions in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. What is missing is a clear, revolutionary leadership to lead the working class to victory and to the overthrow of this decaying capitalist system.
Day 3 of the International Marxist University: Marxism from the mountaintop!
Day three and the International Marxist University (#IMU22) is still going strong – from strength to strength, you could say in fact, as registrations carry on rising; uplifting reports of watch parties continue to flood in; and the most advanced Marxist ideas are beamed around the world.
International Marxist University finishes second day on a high
As the second day of the International Marxist University (#IMU22) draws to a close, we can look back on four fantastic sessions on art, the Enlightenment, historical materialism and economics. It was a day packed with the richest Marxist discussion to be found anywhere in the world.
Day one of the International Marxist University: off to a flying start!
The International Marxist University 2022 (#IMU22) kicked off today with a bang! With almost 7,000 people registered from an astonishing 138 countries, the stage was set for the most-exciting Marxist event of the year – and today’s electrifying opening session on world perspectives did not disappoint. Not to mention the biggest international collection in the history of the International Marxist Tendency (IMT). If you missed it, don’t worry – there are still three more days of incredible talks to look forward to, and we have shared a recording of the stream below. Register for the rest of the IMU if you haven’t already!
International Marxist University 2022: TIMETABLE FINALISED – BOOK NOW!
We are now just nine weeks away from the biggest international Marxist event of the year: the International Marxist University 2022 (#IMU22) from 23 to 26 July. Wherever you are, you too can attend, either online or at one of numerous watch parties being planned on every continent. Already, 1,000 people from 91 countries have registered to attend. We are now proud to announce the finalised timetable and list of speakers. Book now and join us in the fight for revolution!
Crisis, protectionism and inflation: war prepares the way for revolution
The crisis in Ukraine has created a perfect inflationary storm. The war, the western sanctions on Russia, the pandemic, protectionism and climate change are unravelling decades of low commodity prices in a crisis that is only getting deeper.
