Yogthos
@yogthos@social.marxist.network  ·  activity timestamp 3 hours ago

Europe's economic woes aren't just another downturn, they're a sign of a systemic unraveling.

The interconnected crises of debt, deindustrialization, and political gridlock in Britain, Germany, and France reveal that the core contradictions of neoliberalism are reaching a breaking point.

https://dialecticaldispatches.substack.com/p/the-terminal-crisis-of-european-neoliberalism

#eu #europe #socialism #economy #economics
Yogthos
@yogthos@social.marxist.network  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

Soviet food distribution permitted an unprecedented access to luxury foods for ordinary workers. A 1930s Soviet worker could line up to receive caviar and cognac. This was unimaginable for a US worker of the same time period.

https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/caviar-with-champagne-9781859736388/

#socialism

that they should be delivered and sold only in solid plate boxes. An order dated 4 February 1936, with the proper recipe included, was signed by the Vice Minister of Food Industry, Levitin and sent to all confectioneries. They were told to start producing a new type of a caramel named Nonparel.3333 This is one more piece of evidence that the production of such goods took place under the special care of the highest authorities. From 1933 until the outbreak of the Second World War – or rather its preliminaries of the Finnish War and the occupation of Western Ukraine and Eastern Poland by Soviet troops – there is a great deal of evidence showing that the Communist Party was deeply involved in creating a luxury goods society. They
that they should be delivered and sold only in solid plate boxes. An order dated 4 February 1936, with the proper recipe included, was signed by the Vice Minister of Food Industry, Levitin and sent to all confectioneries. They were told to start producing a new type of a caramel named Nonparel.3333 This is one more piece of evidence that the production of such goods took place under the special care of the highest authorities. From 1933 until the outbreak of the Second World War – or rather its preliminaries of the Finnish War and the occupation of Western Ukraine and Eastern Poland by Soviet troops – there is a great deal of evidence showing that the Communist Party was deeply involved in creating a luxury goods society. They
that they should be delivered and sold only in solid plate boxes. An order dated 4 February 1936, with the proper recipe included, was signed by the Vice Minister of Food Industry, Levitin and sent to all confectioneries. They were told to start producing a new type of a caramel named Nonparel.3333 This is one more piece of evidence that the production of such goods took place under the special care of the highest authorities. From 1933 until the outbreak of the Second World War – or rather its preliminaries of the Finnish War and the occupation of Western Ukraine and Eastern Poland by Soviet troops – there is a great deal of evidence showing that the Communist Party was deeply involved in creating a luxury goods society. They
more prosperous now. The new luxury goods were often in evidence at family parties, during birthday celebrations or at public holidays. Most of the goods were available in great quantities just before public holidays for a relatively moderate price. The main Soviet public holidays – New Year’s, 1 May and October Revolution Day – were firmly established as an essential part of the life of every Soviet citizen in the 1930s. The New Year, for example, became an official annual feast in the Soviet Union in 1936 (to replace Christmas) and many of the rituals and symbols associated with it are preserved to this day.1515 The Christmas tree, along with its decora-
more prosperous now. The new luxury goods were often in evidence at family parties, during birthday celebrations or at public holidays. Most of the goods were available in great quantities just before public holidays for a relatively moderate price. The main Soviet public holidays – New Year’s, 1 May and October Revolution Day – were firmly established as an essential part of the life of every Soviet citizen in the 1930s. The New Year, for example, became an official annual feast in the Soviet Union in 1936 (to replace Christmas) and many of the rituals and symbols associated with it are preserved to this day.1515 The Christmas tree, along with its decora-
more prosperous now. The new luxury goods were often in evidence at family parties, during birthday celebrations or at public holidays. Most of the goods were available in great quantities just before public holidays for a relatively moderate price. The main Soviet public holidays – New Year’s, 1 May and October Revolution Day – were firmly established as an essential part of the life of every Soviet citizen in the 1930s. The New Year, for example, became an official annual feast in the Soviet Union in 1936 (to replace Christmas) and many of the rituals and symbols associated with it are preserved to this day.1515 The Christmas tree, along with its decora-
Champagne, cognac, caviar, chocolate and perfume were all part of this new luxury culture. All these goods have a certain sensual pleasure, meant to be enjoyed by drinking, eating or smelling. They were also feminine goods in the sense that they were mainly targeted towards female consumers, towards the new Soviet women, and were considered to be suitable gifts for women of all ages. In the mid-1930s such products were produced in great quantities. Later, other goods such as crystal glasses and vases, amber necklaces, scarves and fur hats were also found in special state shops in urban areas. This limited group of products preserved its
Champagne, cognac, caviar, chocolate and perfume were all part of this new luxury culture. All these goods have a certain sensual pleasure, meant to be enjoyed by drinking, eating or smelling. They were also feminine goods in the sense that they were mainly targeted towards female consumers, towards the new Soviet women, and were considered to be suitable gifts for women of all ages. In the mid-1930s such products were produced in great quantities. Later, other goods such as crystal glasses and vases, amber necklaces, scarves and fur hats were also found in special state shops in urban areas. This limited group of products preserved its
Champagne, cognac, caviar, chocolate and perfume were all part of this new luxury culture. All these goods have a certain sensual pleasure, meant to be enjoyed by drinking, eating or smelling. They were also feminine goods in the sense that they were mainly targeted towards female consumers, towards the new Soviet women, and were considered to be suitable gifts for women of all ages. In the mid-1930s such products were produced in great quantities. Later, other goods such as crystal glasses and vases, amber necklaces, scarves and fur hats were also found in special state shops in urban areas. This limited group of products preserved its
form of kitsch and examines the ideological underpinnings behind their production. This new attitude toward consumption was accompanied by the promotion of new manners of everyday life. The process was not without serious ideological contradictions. Ironically, a factory worker living in the United States—the largest capitalist society in the world—would have been hard-pressed to afford caviar or champagne for a special occasion in the 1930s, but a Soviet worker theoretically could (assuming supplies were in stock). The Soviet example is unique since the luxury culture had to be created entirely from scratch, and
form of kitsch and examines the ideological underpinnings behind their production. This new attitude toward consumption was accompanied by the promotion of new manners of everyday life. The process was not without serious ideological contradictions. Ironically, a factory worker living in the United States—the largest capitalist society in the world—would have been hard-pressed to afford caviar or champagne for a special occasion in the 1930s, but a Soviet worker theoretically could (assuming supplies were in stock). The Soviet example is unique since the luxury culture had to be created entirely from scratch, and
form of kitsch and examines the ideological underpinnings behind their production. This new attitude toward consumption was accompanied by the promotion of new manners of everyday life. The process was not without serious ideological contradictions. Ironically, a factory worker living in the United States—the largest capitalist society in the world—would have been hard-pressed to afford caviar or champagne for a special occasion in the 1930s, but a Soviet worker theoretically could (assuming supplies were in stock). The Soviet example is unique since the luxury culture had to be created entirely from scratch, and
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Nathaniel Gregory
@Faithslayer202@mastodon.social  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

But if you're concerned about #Trump & #RFK undermining #science & #medicine, the consensus is there for #transgender #healthcare, so you should be just as concerned about anti #trans rhetoric & anyone regurgitating it as you are for #antivax rhetoric. It's ALL #antiscience bullshit.

#Democrats#Republicans#Liberals#Conservatives#Marxism#Communism#Socialism#Anarchism#Politics#Election#Gay#GayRights#TransRights#Transgender#LGBTQ#LGBTQIA#Lesbian#Bisexual#Queer#Intersex#Asexual
Nathaniel Gregory
@Faithslayer202@mastodon.social  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

But if you're concerned about #Trump & #RFK undermining #science & #medicine, the consensus is there for #transgender #healthcare, so you should be just as concerned about anti #trans rhetoric & anyone regurgitating it as you are for #antivax rhetoric. It's ALL #antiscience bullshit.

#Democrats#Republicans#Liberals#Conservatives#Marxism#Communism#Socialism#Anarchism#Politics#Election#Gay#GayRights#TransRights#Transgender#LGBTQ#LGBTQIA#Lesbian#Bisexual#Queer#Intersex#Asexual
Nathaniel Gregory
@Faithslayer202@mastodon.social  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

I do wish people would treat #transphobia as the serious #redflag it is, cos if someone is repeating bullshit #pseudoscience talking points from #rightwing cranks, that's just as bad as conceding to #antivax nonsense & undermining trust in #science & #medicine, alarm bells should be sounding!

#Democrats#Republicans#Liberals#Conservatives#Marxism#Communism#Socialism#Politics#Vote#Gay#GayRights#Trans#TransRights#Transgender#LGBTQ#LGBTQIA#Lesbian#Bisexual#Queer#Intersex#Asexual
MikeDunnAuthor
@MikeDunnAuthor@kolektiva.social  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

Today in Labor History August 26, 1913: The Dublin lock-out began, a 5- month strike over terrible living and working conditions, and for union recognition. At the time, some Irish workers were living with 55 people per house. The Infant mortality rate among the poor was 142 per 1,000 births. TB-related deaths were 50% higher than in England or Scotland. The main organizers of the strike were 2 syndicalists, James Larkin and IWW cofounder, James Connolly. Several workers were killed by police and by strikebreakers. Hundreds were injured. WB Yeats’ poem, September 1913, is often viewed as a commentary on the brutality of the strike. Connolly was later executed as a leader of the Easter Rising, in 1916.

#workingclass #LaborHistory #dublin #lockout #union #strike #ireland #socialism #jameslarkin #jamesconnolly #IWW #police #policebrutality
MikeDunnAuthor
@MikeDunnAuthor@kolektiva.social  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

Today in Labor History August 26, 1913: The Dublin lock-out began, a 5- month strike over terrible living and working conditions, and for union recognition. At the time, some Irish workers were living with 55 people per house. The Infant mortality rate among the poor was 142 per 1,000 births. TB-related deaths were 50% higher than in England or Scotland. The main organizers of the strike were 2 syndicalists, James Larkin and IWW cofounder, James Connolly. Several workers were killed by police and by strikebreakers. Hundreds were injured. WB Yeats’ poem, September 1913, is often viewed as a commentary on the brutality of the strike. Connolly was later executed as a leader of the Easter Rising, in 1916.

#workingclass #LaborHistory #dublin #lockout #union #strike #ireland #socialism #jameslarkin #jamesconnolly #IWW #police #policebrutality
MikeDunnAuthor
@MikeDunnAuthor@kolektiva.social  ·  activity timestamp 6 days ago

Today in Labor History August 24, 1922: Howard Zinn, American historian, author, teacher and activist was born on this day. Zinn has written over 20 books, including his most well-known book, “A People's History of the United States” (1980). He has described himself as an anarchist and as a democratic socialist. He was initially opposed to U.S. involvement in WWII, but later enlisted to help fight fascism. However, after napalm-bombing a town in France, he later learned that over 1,000 civilians had been killed. This experience reinforced the anti-war stance he would maintain for the rest of his life. In the 1960s, he was heavily involved in the SNCC and Freedom Summer. Zinn has mentored many famous activists and writers, including Alice Walker and Marian Wright Edelman. In 2008, the Zinn Education Project launched to support teachers using “A People’s History” in their curriculum. He died in 2010 from an apparent heart attack.

Be sure to come to the annual Howard Zinn Book fair this December 7, 2025, (10am-6pm) at San Francisco City College, Mission Campus. There will be lots of great writers and workshops. This year’s theme is “Fight Supremacy: Actions Against Authoritarianism.” I will be hosting a working-class writers panel with San Francisco Poet Laureate and activist Tongo Eisen-Martin, poet Daphne Gottlieb, educator and author Jenny Worley, and possibly more tbd.

https://www.zinnbookfair.org/2025

#workingclass #LaborHistory#howardzinn#peopleshistory #anarchism #socialism #sncc #historian #civilrights #antiwar #author #writer #books#poet @bookstadon
MikeDunnAuthor
@MikeDunnAuthor@kolektiva.social  ·  activity timestamp 6 days ago

Today in Labor History August 24, 1922: Howard Zinn, American historian, author, teacher and activist was born on this day. Zinn has written over 20 books, including his most well-known book, “A People's History of the United States” (1980). He has described himself as an anarchist and as a democratic socialist. He was initially opposed to U.S. involvement in WWII, but later enlisted to help fight fascism. However, after napalm-bombing a town in France, he later learned that over 1,000 civilians had been killed. This experience reinforced the anti-war stance he would maintain for the rest of his life. In the 1960s, he was heavily involved in the SNCC and Freedom Summer. Zinn has mentored many famous activists and writers, including Alice Walker and Marian Wright Edelman. In 2008, the Zinn Education Project launched to support teachers using “A People’s History” in their curriculum. He died in 2010 from an apparent heart attack.

Be sure to come to the annual Howard Zinn Book fair this December 7, 2025, (10am-6pm) at San Francisco City College, Mission Campus. There will be lots of great writers and workshops. This year’s theme is “Fight Supremacy: Actions Against Authoritarianism.” I will be hosting a working-class writers panel with San Francisco Poet Laureate and activist Tongo Eisen-Martin, poet Daphne Gottlieb, educator and author Jenny Worley, and possibly more tbd.

https://www.zinnbookfair.org/2025

#workingclass #LaborHistory#howardzinn#peopleshistory #anarchism #socialism #sncc #historian #civilrights #antiwar #author #writer #books#poet @bookstadon
Yogthos
@yogthos@social.marxist.network  ·  activity timestamp 2 weeks ago

Organizations from the African continent launch day of solidarity with the Alliance of Sahel States.

Pan Africanism Today Secretariat rallies global solidarity as Sahel nations mark two years of defying neocolonial rule. 🔥

https://peoplesdispatch.org/2025/08/16/organizations-from-the-african-continent-launch-day-of-solidarity-with-the-alliance-of-sahel-states/

#africa #socialism