Theory & History
Partition: Tragic consequence of missed opportunity for socialist change
Some say that the partition of Ireland a century ago was inevitable, a ‘natural’ reflection of the sectarian division on the island. Others argue that an independent, united - and capitalist - Ireland was within reach, if only individuals like Michael Collins had stayed the course. Neither of these narratives is accurate
Shrewsbury pickets: at last found innocent
The recent Court of Appeals judgement that all of the Shrewsbury pickets’ criminal convictions of 1974 was based on inadequate evidence and should be overturned must be welcome. After 47 years, it is a stunning exoneration of trade unionists who suffered imprisonment and criminal convictions as a result of a vindictive and systematic campaign by the state.
“Spurn the Dust to Win the Prize” — 150 Years Since the Paris Commune
150 years ago this month, history was made when working-class Parisians established the Paris Commune on 18 March 1871. This represented the first example of a society run by and for the working class — a workers’ state.
Troubled Times republished – a Marxist guide to the national question
As the centenary of partition sparks heightened discussion on the future of the Northern Ireland state, Herald Books – the publishing house of the Socialist Party – has republished Troubled Times as a vital guide for those engaged in the struggle for socialism today.
150 Years — Learning from Rosa Luxemburg
Rosa Luxemburg was born on 5 March 1871 — 150 years ago. Her murder, together with her comrade Karl Liebknecht by Social-Democrats in 1919 has not prevented her courageous life and revolutionary thoughts from remaining an inspiration for socialists today.
Unquiet Graves: Documentary shines light on state collusion
The bitter legacy of Margaret Thatcher
Thatcher’s reputation and legacy has left a deep scar across the whole face of British society which is still very keenly felt today by successive generations.
John Hume, from civil rights to peace process: A critical assessment
On 3rd August, John Hume - former leader of the nationalist SDLP - passed away at the age of 83. He was eulogised by establishment figures in the North - including Unionists - as well as in the South, Britain and internationally. His passing was also met with genuine expressions of respect from the mass of ordinary people in Northern Ireland, among Catholics but also in the Protestant community.
Engels @ 200: A revolutionary thinker for a world in turmoil
Friedrich Engels was born 200 years ago, yet as a thinker was profoundly radical and strikingly modern. While his lifelong collaboration with Karl Marx resulted in many co-authored works, as well as extensive correspondence between the two in which they developed their ideas jointly, Engels also wrote his own brilliant contributions to contemporary debates in the socialist and workers’ movement, and was a leading activist in the first and second international.
The Battle of Cable Street: Lessons for combatting the far right
84 years ago today, on 4th October 1936, Communists and socialists came together with Jewish and Irish workers in an historic stand to stop Oswald Mosley and several thousand of his fascist Blackshirts from marching through the East End of London. In what became known as The Battle of Cable Street, Mosley and his thugs, with police protection, were blocked by an estimated 300,000 counter-protesters across east London.