Tag: Hari Kumar

Coronavirus and protection for health and social care workers

Coronavirus and protection for health and social care workers

Published by Hari Kumar on March 21, 2020

Dr. John Puntis, Co-Chair “Keep Our NHS Public” (KONP) It’s clear that an urgent intervention is needed on the government’s Coronavirus response. Despite the massive threat posed by the pandemic, Boris Johnson isn’t doing what’s needed to support our health workers as they confront this crisis. This is doubly alarming given that our NHS is going into action following a decade of under-funding, under-staffing, and undermining from Conservative-led governments. That’s why a new petition putting six key demands to the government has just been launched. The demands are: Covid-19 testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) must be available for all NHS and…

How Should Marxists View the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2019-2020?

Published by Hari Kumar on March 17, 2020

Some important political problems, that are very relevant to Marxists, are being revealed by the evolving health crisis known as COVID 19. We try to discuss some of these issues. The labeling of this epidemic as a “hoax” by President Donald Trump is naturally, completely unwarranted. Unfortunately in a fit of over-zealous skepticism, some Marxists have also minimized the epidemic. In order to place this discussion in context, we must start from some medical and environmental facts, only then moving to the political ramifications. Throughout this, Marxists may recall how Friedrich Engels wrote about infectious diseases: “Capitalist rule cannot allow…

Nexhmije Hoxha (1921-2020)

Nexhmije Hoxha (1921-2020)

Published by Hari Kumar on February 27, 2020

DEATH NOTICE NDAHET NGA JETA SHOQJA NEXHMIJE HOXHA Sot u nda nga jeta shoqja Nexhmie Hoxha, bashkëshortja e shokut Enver Hoxha, udhëheqësit të lavdishëm të Shqipërisë socialiste. Ajo ishte komuniste dhe antifashiste e orëve të para, që nuk kurseu asgjë për atdheun dhe socializmin. Shoqja Nexhmie lindi për një mision historik kombëtar që e përfundoi me nder dhe dinjitet. Humbja e saj është e dhimbshme për familjarët, bashkëluftëtarët dhe shokët e panumërt brenda dhe jashtë atdheut. Today comrade Nexhmie Hoxha, wife of comrade Enver Hoxha, the glorious leader of socialist Albania, passed away. She was the communist and anti-fascist of…

Kurdistan – A Marxist-Leninist Framework, Part Two

Kurdistan – A Marxist-Leninist Framework, Part Two

Published by Hari Kumar on January 1, 2020

(To read the first part of this work, click here) The intersection of the four countries of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, lies in Kurdistan. As Kurdistan is within these borders, all these must be considered, in any sensible work on the Kurdish national movements. Iran and the Mahabad Republic, in relation to the Kurds, were discussed in Part One. Here in Part Two, we will focus upon Iraq and Turkey, highlighting history relevant to the Kurdish national movement. Part Three will focus upon Syria. In assessing the Kurdish struggles, it is impossible to avoid the details of what now…

The General Election of December 2019 in the United Kingdom (UK): A Thrown Election

The General Election of December 2019 in the United Kingdom (UK): A Thrown Election

Published by Hari Kumar on December 21, 2019

A defeat for progressives: Unquestionably things will be harder for the working class. Lose any illusions in the Labour Party! Introduction There is little doubt, that in the short and immediate term, the lives of working people in the UK will get enormously worse. We first discussed the current Brexit crisis engulfing the United Kingdom (UK), when the Referendum of 2016 was being held. Then we advised that the best course for the working class of Britain was to vote ‘leave’. We had taken this position, as in recent history the USA had used its lackey the British ruling class,…

Situating Today’s Climate Activists of the ‘Fridays for Future’ Movement

Situating Today’s Climate Activists of the ‘Fridays for Future’ Movement

Published by Hari Kumar on October 11, 2019

Introduction Everywhere in September 2019, the world’s capitals saw millions of the world youth on the move. All Marxist-Leninists, indeed all Marxists, likely identify with the intensity with which young people challenge the capitalist inaction on climate change. The movement known as ‘Fridays for Future (FFF)’, called an “Earth Strike”, starting on 20th September 2019. Progressives all around the world were excited, we had not seen such a throng on the streets of newly minted progressive activists for long time. Hence, this article focuses on the Fridays for Future movement, and its ideology. At the outset, we state our own conviction: We…

How Should Marxist-Leninists View the Impending ‘No Deal Brexit’ Withdrawal from the European Union (EU) of the UK?

How Should Marxist-Leninists View the Impending ‘No Deal Brexit’ Withdrawal from the European Union (EU) of the UK?

Published by Hari Kumar on September 4, 2019

1. Introduction The current crisis gripping the British ruling class at this time, gives a vivid shape to Gramsci’s ‘crisis of authority” in the Britain of today (see above). Many ‘morbid symptoms’ could be discussed. This crisis has rapidly extended since we last wrote on this in June 2016. [See ”Notes on the Brexit Referendum – the vote on Britain leaving or remaining in the European Union – of June 23rd 2016”; Former members of the Communist League; at Red Phoenix; https://theredphoenixapl.org/2016/06/20/notes-on-the-brexit-referendum/ In June 2016, just prior to the referendum in the UK, we concluded: “In the absence of a Marxist-Leninist party and…

What is Behind Trump – Is There Method Behind His Madness? Finance Capital and Industrial Capital – An Evolutionary History

What is Behind Trump – Is There Method Behind His Madness? Finance Capital and Industrial Capital – An Evolutionary History

Published by Hari Kumar on August 18, 2019

IntroductionDonald Trump – President of the USA – is a lying, bullying, sexist, racist and dangerous buffoon. But none of this invalidates his enormous political role today. In order to understand that role, his theatrics and dramatics must be put aside. What explains the Trump phenomenon? The ‘Great’ Person theory of history is especially inapplicable to Mr. Trump – he is hardly ‘great’. But more broadly, such a theory resting on single persons, does not adequately explain history and societal change. Contrary to rumours, Marxist-Leninists do not minimize the role of individuals. Rather, they recognize that individuals – even great…

Theses on Kurdistan – A Marxist-Leninist Framework

Theses on Kurdistan – A Marxist-Leninist Framework

Published by Hari Kumar on July 29, 2019

Introduction We believe there has long been a need for a simple, and relatively concise summary of the Kurdistan national struggle, from a Marxist-Leninist perspective. No doubt, the need for such an urgent appraisal is made more acute by the Syrian Civil War, and its aftermath. Confusion about the state of Rojava is common. But when Rojava is dealt with in isolation, the results seem inadequate. This usually reflects the absence of a wider picture of Kurdistan. Regrettably, the history of Kurdistan, is not easily condensed, but this is an attempt to do so. Click this link to view and…