Stephen Jolly reviews Will Hutton’s new book on China…
British economist Will Hutton’s new book The Writing on the Wall: China and the West in the 21st Century is a cold shower to those who think that country will be an ever-ending and ever-growing source of profits; is fundamentally capitalist; and has a fast diminishing Communist Party (CP) government control over the economy. (more…)

By Denise Dudley, Socialist Party Melbourne
On Saturday 27th of January around 15 Socialist Party members and supporters gathered at the home of the Sri Lankan Consular representative, Rodney Arambewela, in Melbourne to demonstrate against the assassination threats to Siri Jayasuriya. Rodney is of course also a staunch supporter of the Sri Lankan Government.
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The United Socialist Party (USP) is the largest socialist party in Sri Lanka and organsies workers and urban poor from all ethnic backgrounds - Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim. It is actively opposed to the drift towards civil war in that country and works with other parties in the anti-war coalition, the United People’s Movement (UPM). (more…)

This week, Beirut’s streets will, once again, be filled with protestors, many of whom have been on a five-week protest against the pro-Western, Siniora-led government. But, this time the protests are part of an organised workers’ movement campaign against cuts and privatisation.
By Aysha Zaki, CWI, Beirut (more…)

In a televised speech after swearing in his new Cabinet, Chavez announced the nationalisation of Electricidad de Caracas, Venezuela’s largest private electricity firm, and the telecommunications giant CANTV. Both firms were privatised in the early 90’s by pre-Chavez governments.
By Karl Debbaut, CWI (more…)

Capitalism, both in Britain and worldwide, means increased poverty, unemployment and war for the peoples of the world. This is the unmistakeable message from the past year’s events. Another message is that it has conjured up resistance, signified by the magnificent mass revolt of the working class and poor against the juggernaut of ‘modern’ neo-liberal capitalism.
By Peter Taaffe, General Secretary, Socialist Party, England and Wales (more…)

Troops were deployed throughout Bangladesh on Sunday 11 December supposedly to “maintain law and order”, according to a Presidential order. The army is now patrolling the main streets and squares and guarding the most important buildings and installations. This deployment has once again raised the fear of a military take over in the country.
By Khalid Bhatti, Socialist Movement Pakistan, Lahore (more…)

The rushed execution of Saddam Hussein has all the hallmarks of desperation.
Bush needed some “good” news out of Iraq, particularly as any day now there will be the announcement of the 3,000th US military fatality in Iraq.
By Robert Bechert, CWI (more…)