Excessive gun violence and mass shootings have become the norm in the US, so has the trite and totally ineffective response of offering “our thoughts and prayers” by the governing political elite. There were about 252 mass shootings in the first 215 days of 2019. About 35% of mass shooters are young white men with prior training in how to use guns — often learned as high school … [Read more...] about Notes from the Editors (Left Turn #4)
capitalism
Why It’s Important to Understand Cultural Capital
Gary Olson When categorizing my class background, I’ve invariably replied “working class” but in truth that was more aspirational than factual. My father was either unemployed or underemployed and died of a heart attack at age 46 while working as a night shift orderly at a veteran’s hospital in Fargo, ND. I was 12-years-old, with a 7-year-old brother, and thereafter our … [Read more...] about Why It’s Important to Understand Cultural Capital
Globalization or Universalism?
by Reza Ghorashi Introduction Globalization is a complex, multifaceted, and correlated phenomenon that affects social, cultural, political, economic, and technological dimensions of human life. Since the dawn of modernity1 we have had several rounds of globalization. The process typically goes as follows: Major scientific breakthroughs give rise to technological … [Read more...] about Globalization or Universalism?
A Brief Thought Experiment
by Gary Olson Recently I‘ve tried to make the case that only presidential aspirants who are vetted by the oligarchic elite, deep state, plutocracy or whatever nomenclature you prefer, have any chance of reaching the Oval Office. Further, as the chief administrative officer for the capitalist state, they often implement policies consistent with those of a psychopath. And they … [Read more...] about A Brief Thought Experiment
Remembering Berta Cáceres
by Bob Riggs Saturday, March 3, marks the second anniversary of the murder of the courageous worker for justice and women's autonomy, Berta Cáceres. She was killed in her home in La Esperanza, Honduras, because of her leadership in the struggle of the Lenca People in defense of their lands, rivers and forests, which were being threatened by the construction of mega … [Read more...] about Remembering Berta Cáceres
Being Howard Zinn: Interview with Bob Weick, who plays the historian Howard Zinn in Voices of a People’s History of the United States
Henrik Eger interviews Bob Weick *Bob Weick also performs as Karl Marx in Howard Zinn’s play Marx in Soho which will be performed on September 21st in the Lehigh Valley. See ad on the back cover. Howard Zinn, considered to be one of the most thought-provoking American historians, who presents history not from the perspective of those in power, but … [Read more...] about Being Howard Zinn: Interview with Bob Weick, who plays the historian Howard Zinn in Voices of a People’s History of the United States
Make Capitalism History
by Faramarz Farbod To perish or to radically transform the way we relate to one another and to nature, that is the question humanity has never had to face until now. The evidence backing the above assertion is strong and accumulating. Nevertheless, there remains a stubborn problem of awareness as many who understand the perils facing humanity fail to connect them to its … [Read more...] about Make Capitalism History
Meritocracy Is a Lie
by Gary Olson In 2017, Sociology Professor Rachel Sherman wrote Uneasy Street: The Anxiety of Affluence, a book which drew upon 50 in-depth interviews with Uber-wealthy New Yorkers in order to obtain a picture of just how they perceived their status. Sherman found that her interviewees, all in the top 1-2 percent of income or wealth or both, had thoroughly imbibed … [Read more...] about Meritocracy Is a Lie
Marx and Earth-First Socialism
Alex Fischer "A new report from the United Nations" climate panel warns humanity has only a dozen years to mitigate global warming and limit the scope of global catastrophe. Otherwise, millions will be imperiled by increasing droughts, floods, fires and poverty. The sweeping report by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change urges immediate and unprecedented … [Read more...] about Marx and Earth-First Socialism
If Capitalism Must End, What Should Replace It?
Michael D. Yates Today, the world faces multiple crises. Foremost among them is an impending environmental catastrophe, marked by rapidly rising temperatures and sea levels, widespread extinction and diminution of species, poisoned air, contaminated and polluted water, including our oceans, the loss of soil elasticity, and worsening desertification. We are rapidly reaching a … [Read more...] about If Capitalism Must End, What Should Replace It?