Portside

Jamaica in the 18th century was described by Charles Leslie as a “constant mine, whence Britain draws prodigious riches.” More Africans arrived in Kingston to become plantation slaves than arrived in any other place in the British empire.

When Russian bombs are destroying Ukrainian cities, there's reason to focus on oligarchs supporting the Kremlin. But do American multi-billionaires and Saudi princes enjoy less political clout, stash less money abroad, and use influence any better?

Heightened rhetoric about Russia and China seeking to undermine American influence will only reinforce Washington’s support for repressive regimes. The consequences of that could, in turn, prove to be potentially disastrous.

Many conservatives don’t think the 2020 election was stolen. But they believe democracy itself has betrayed America, by allowing the ‘wrong’ people to take charge.

The anti-war movement needs to raise the issue of NATO expansion.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, “prison warehousing”—which used to be a derogatory term—would look like an upgrade. At least warehouses care about the value of the goods they store.

Building a more powerful people’s movement for economic democracy will require the spread of a more expansive view of democracy, one that moves past individual rights and into the realm of shared responsibilities.

From a socialist perspective how should unions and social movements of the poor respond to the current crisis?

The US with its NATO allies have not only provoked this tragedy but have sought to prolong it in their refusal to engage in negotiations for a ceasefire.

Anti-war activist Jan Barry sees in the Ukraine crisis both memories of older wars and a warning.