Revolutionary Socialism in the 21st Century
 
Revolutionary
Socialism in the
21st Century

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Revolutionary strategy

Syria: history shapes our organising today

How does the overthrow of Assad fit in the wider context of the Middle East, Israeli aggression and inter-imperialist competition, and how do we centre the Syrian fight for popular freedom in our practical solidarity in Britain?

blocks of flats and street art

Lessons from militant organising in tenants’ unions

Critical reflections on the ACORN model.

Is it time for a new left party in Britain?

A contribution to the debate about a new left party by rs21 members. 

Review | Raising the Red Flag

The lead up to the formation of the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1921, and lessons for today

Four theses on fascism, pogroms and liberation

Reflections on fascism, crisis and class politics, as the left responds to far-right mobilisations.

Imperialism and British workers: moving past the labour aristocracy debates

Our history is shaped by the legacy of empire.  Alfie Hancox takes a critical look at debates on Labour and Imperialism

The Zapatistas – the first revolutionaries of the new age

 Mike Gonzalez looks at how events in Chiapas have unfolded since 1994 and assesses the latest developments as Mexico elects a woman president for the first time.

Review | What Was Neoliberalism?

What can we learn about neoliberalism from Neil Davidson’s new book? Charlie Post reviews ‘What Was Neoliberalism’

The Popular Front then and now – France and the elections

Ian Birchall looks back at the history of the original Popular Front and outlines what’s at stake in France’s general election.

Ecological politics and revolutionary strategy

Harry H reflects on ecological politics and revolutionary strategy in a Nakba day talk at the Warwick encampment

The SWP apology is too little, too late

The rs21 steering group argues that the SWP’s apology for the way it handled its 2013 crisis is inadequate

Protesters try to de-arrest someone from a police van outside Thales in Glasgow.

The shift in Glasgow and how we fight back

What to make of new violence against the Palestine solidarity movement?

How should socialists think about political tradition?

“Our task isn’t to guard a faith, a static tradition.”

rs21 updates its ‘About Us’ statement

The new rs21 ‘about us’ – how the membership designed the new statement

1974 – an end and a beginning

Willie Black looks back at 1974. A pivotal year both in Britain and across the world – high points of workers’ struggles, but also the beginning of five decades of neo-liberalism

Review | The State and Revolution

Lenin’s The State and Revolution is one of the most important books he ever wrote, a restatement and rediscovery of the revolutionary understanding of the state.

The Socialist Alliance, George Galloway and Respect: left electoralism the last time around

After George Galloway’s Rochdale victory, David Renton reflects on past left electoral vehicles, and why democracy and accountability are essential.

Lenin, National Liberation and Palestine

Gus Woody reviews Imperialism and the National Question recently published by Verso.

An introduction to Lenin and Leninism

We are marking the hundredth anniversary of Lenin’s death by reprinting an essay by American socialist historian Paul Le Blanc, in which he explains the different components of what has come to be called ‘Leninism’.

rs21 – the first ten years

For the tenth anniversary of the launch of rs21, Jonny Jones reflects on a decade of activity, our ups and downs, challenges and achievements, and considers our hopes for the future.

Global crises and global revolts

Shireen Akram-Boshar on multiple global crises and revolts, signalling rising popular rage against the neoliberal capitalist order

Without organisation, we have nothing: building a rank and file organisation in schools

After a momentous year of workplace struggles, rs21 teachers discuss the need for ongoing rank and file organisation across schools

Lewis's book with an image of Kautsky and the Erfurt Program

Review | Ben Lewis, ‘Karl Kautsky on Democracy and Republicanism’

Is it time to re-evaluate renegade Kautsky? Andreas Chari reviews a new collection.

A small earthquake in Chile, 1970-73

Mike Gonzalez writes about the 1973 coup in Chile and the lessons it offers for the struggle for socialism today.

Troublemakers logo

‘Troublemakers at Work’: Why trade unions need a militant rank-and-file

‘Troublemakers’ brought trade unionists and activists together to discuss the importance of a militant rank-and-file.

Ende Gelände ‘System Change Camp’ report

The recent environmental justice movement camp held in Germany demonstrates the importance of building international networks in the climate movement.

Capitalism cannot save us from the climate crisis

The pursuit of profit and economic growth is pushing us beyond safe limits of global heating, biodiversity loss and ocean acidification.

A World to Win: rs21 All Member Assembly report

rs21 organised A World to Win as part of our All Member Assembly. We discussed the new right, climate breakdown and the strike wave.

a large crowd of people at May Day rally, with different union banners

What is the potential for rank-and-file organisation today?

There is renewed interest in rank-and-file organisation, but confusion about what this means and what is possible.

The IS History Project

A new oral history project aims to record the memories of socialist activists from the 1960s and early 1970s. Project members Sue Sparks and Hazel Croft explain its aims and its relevance for activists today in an interview with rs21 members.