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Marxist-Leninist Currents Posts

Navalny and Putin – Is there a good guy here?

Introduction Who does Victor Navalny represent? Certainly he has admirable courage and is determined to challenge the oligarchy of Putin and its power. But a clear view of his links to Western capitalism show that he is no hero of the working classes of Russia. In reality the current battle pits the Putin class of ‘Siloviki’ (the so-called ‘strong-men’) newly minted oligarchs against Navalny, who is a flag bearer of Western capitalism. Sad to say, there are no simple heroes here. However Navalny has roused a large portion of people to see through Putinism. That movement should be supported by…

Was that a coup before us? Or was it an insurrection? Or – none of those?

What’s the difference between an ‘insurrection and a choreographed test run? Hari Kumar, January 2021 Goethe: “Die ich rief, die Geister / Werd’ ich nun nicht los.” [“Those I called – the ghosts / I won’t get rid of them now.”] [1] Having called up Trump, both many capitalists and sections of the Republican Party wish to be rid of him, but his ‘spirit’ or ‘ghost’ will remain. We dissect the events of January 6th on the steps of the Capitol – the nerve center enacting the ruling class edicts in the USA. Not merely a ‘riot’ – yet I doubt…

Older People in Sweden Are Treated As Dispensable During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: In March early on in this pandemic we first drew attention to some ultra-left errors on the COVID outbreak.[1] In there we also outlined some of the salient science. In several articles since we have elaborated on these issues. However, a persistent ultra-leftist ‘denialist’ stand has continued to make itself heard. The remarkable coincidence of these views with some of the ultra-right wing is a sorry spectacle. [2] We do not wish to re-tread old ground, but a series of misperceptions about the death rates in Sweden prompt this short review. Some have argued that Sweden while not undergoing…

Two reprints from International Struggle Marxist-Leninist (ISML) regarding Frederick Engels

These two articles found as PDFs below, commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Engels (28 November 1820 – 5 August 1895). Originally they were written to commemorate the centenary of the death of Engels. In the meantime, some of the papers of ISML are still of interest, and I believe of value. They were printed in the first issue of the journal for the organisation which adopted the name International Struggle Marxist-Leninist (ISML). This was formed at conference in Ischia Italy in 1995. The theme of that conference was ‘The Relevance of Engels for Today.’ While the…

Looking Under the Hood – The Instrumentation of a Pandemic

Observed associations between COVID denial, anti-vaxxers, and fascism Introduction Over the pandemic year, a repeated pattern was seen. People joining aggressive, right wing demonstrations whose slogans include ‘COVID is a myth’, ‘vaccinations kill’, and that there is a ‘swamp’ of power and corruption against ‘the people’. Marx tells us that the validity of observations, is only proved by the test of practice.[1] Here repetitive observations (often called reproducibility) become a key ‘proof’ of an undeniable association. The repetitive associations between anti-vaxxers and the far right forms a distinct pattern. What binds these groups? This is an international phenomenon. But here…

The Class Character of Syria – From an Oriental Despotic State to Neo-Colony to Fascist Dictatorship to Civil War

Written, May 24, 2018; Part 1 web-uploaded November 2020; Hari Kumar Introduction Middle East politics today are a complex maze. But the extraordinary, vindictive and destructive war launched upon the Syrian workers and peasants by Assad, demands Marxist-Leninist interpretations. As the war grinds to a conclusion – which at the time of writing, appears to favour Bashar Assad remaining in power, the landscape of the Middle East has been transformed. Marxist-Leninists have had relatively little to say on the war and its forces, and in the main – they have taken the stance of a tacit or fully open support…

What’s it all about, Joe?

From Politico 10 November 2020, at https://www.politico.com/2020-election/results/ In the first part, I will recap USA elections events briefly – for those eyes were shut for the last week. In the remaining two parts I assess likely short-term events, and the division within the left – from the perspective of the progressive and socialist movement in the USA. What just happened? Obviously, the USA elections results are still being contested. However, a Democratic victory for the Presidential race cannot be denied. It should be noted that still, only 60% of the electorate actually voted. For the left-wing, a real concern should…

More Signs of Establishment Moves Against Trump

Inter-capitalist contradictions in the USA Recently I wrote [1] – that there had been an exodus of major sections of the ruling class from Trump’s camp. In brief, the argument presented was that the main sections of the ruling class who have supported Trump included heavy industry and extractive industries – epitomised by the oil, gas, mining sectors. In contrast, the dominant section of the ruling class interests represented by the Democratic party are formed by the financial capitalists. But as Trump has failed to move out-shored American industry back to the USA, there has been a cooling between Trump…

The Stakes Rise: Inter-Capitalist Warfare in the USA Ruling Class – Dumping Trump

It is obvious that both the crisis of COVID-19 and the united American people’s resistance to racial oppression have exacerbated the underlying economic crisis of the ruling class. The significance of an escalating division within the ruling class of the USA is less appreciated. We review a few recent events on these inter-capitalist divisions. The objective problem facing all USA capitalists regardless of sector Current ruling class divisions reflects contradictions between big finance capitalists and new technology industries – and big oil, and old manufacturing. [1] This is not an absolute contradiction since capitalist interests inter-penetrate, and have done since…

Eight Minutes and 46 Seconds: Theses on the Police and White Supremacist Killings of African Americans in America

The working class of America faces a triple crisis at this moment. The first is the police murderous violence that continues against the African-American people. The second is the on-going uncontained epidemic of the COVID-19 in the USA, which affects hardest the same vulnerable members. Finally is the on-going economic crisis where the economy of the USA has faltered at least since the 2008 financial crisis. It is difficult to disentangle each strand. This article focuses upon the most immediate crisis: that of the intense and life-threatening crisis for African-Americans in the United States today. The long aftermath of slavery…