The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) was the bloodiest stage in the ten year-long Spanish revolution that began in 1931. As Hannah Sell explains below, Spain was a further confirmation of Leon Trotsky’s theory of ‘permanent revolution’, which was earlier borne out in the Russian workers’ socialist revolution of 1917.

By Hannah Sell, Socialist Party

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The Tories’ £6 billion battle against the working class
Twenty five years ago the great miners’ strike of 1984-85 started. It was the longest lasting and most bitter industrial dispute of the second half of the 20th century in Britain. It had a huge impact on virtually every subsequent industrial and political development.

By George Bailey, Socialist Party

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Masses must move on to struggle for socialism!
On 25 January, 61.46% of Bolivians voted “YES” on the new constitution. At the same time, more than 80% voted against the large landowners and in favour of a maximum land limit of 5,000 hectares (as opposed to a limit of 10,000).

By Adam Ziemkowski, Alternativa Socialista Revolucionario, Bolivia

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Lessons of Luxemburg’s inspirational, revolutionary legacy
On 15 January 1919, Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, the finest brains of the German working class and its most heroic figures, were brutally murdered by the bloodthirsty, defeated German military, backed to the hilt by the cowardly social-democratic leaders Noske and Scheidemann. On this important anniversary, it is vital to look at Luxemburg’s inspirational, revolutionary legacy.
By Peter Taaffe, Socialist Party (more…)

The wave of nationalisations and part-nationalisations of banking systems sweeping country after country as a result of the meltdown of the world financial system is hugely significant. In light of these world historic events, GARY MULCAHY from the Socialist Party argues the case for socialism. (more…)

Leon Trotsky’s defence of the priceless heritage of genuine Marxism
Just over 70 years ago, on 3 September 1938, the founding conference of the Fourth International was held near Paris. The main inspiration and organiser behind the declaration of the new international was the Russian revolutionary, Leon Trotsky, who, however, could not attend the inaugural meeting because he was in exile in Mexico.
By Niall Mulholland, CWI (more…)

Below we are publishing two articles to mark the 90th anniversary of seven protestors being killed during the November 3, 1918, demonstration of mutinous sailors and striking workers in Kiel, northern Germany. This clash transformed a naval mutiny into the November revolution that challenged the very existence of capitalism in Germany and throughout Europe. (more…)

The following SP pamphlet ‘What is Socialism?’ was originally written in 2005. This is an ideal introduction to the ideas of socialism and we are happy to publish the text for the first time here at socialistpartyaustralia.org. This pamphlet is also available in hard copy for $3 from our National Office.

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This May marks the 40th anniversary of the revolutionary events in France and of the biggest general strike in history. At its peak 10 million workers and millions of students were on strike.
By Denise Dudley, Socialist Party (more…)

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was killed on April 4, 1968 while supporting striking Memphis sanitation workers. Unfortunately, the official commemorations of King often provide us with a sanitized version of his life and legacy and the history of the civil rights movement.
By Will Soto, CWI United States (more…)