Criticism of capitalism

The Unraveling of Turkey’s Democracy

Published on ZNet, by Alon Ben-Meir, March 11, 2016.

Only a few months after Turkey’s President Erdogan raided the offices of the Koza Ipek Media Group, the Turkish police assaulted early this month the offices of Feza Publications, which owns two newspapers (including Zaman) and two TV stations, without any warning. There is little else more injurious to any democracy than closing down news outlets and choking off freedom of speech Continuer la lecture de « The Unraveling of Turkey’s Democracy »

Refugees Caught in Tide of European History

Published on Greek Reporter, by A. Makris, March 9, 2016.

Syrian and Iraqi war refugees are sleeping by railroad tracks in northern Greece hoping to be allowed to travel onward to Germany and other northern EU countries. Seventy-three years ago, these tracks were traversed by another group heading to Germany for a completely different future: the Nazi death camps … // Continuer la lecture de « Refugees Caught in Tide of European History »

George Lakoff's texts and videos

the Secret of Donald Trump’s Success, published on Social Europe (first on George Lakoff’s blog), March 7, 2016.

Donald Trump is winning Republican presidential primaries at such a great rate that he seems likely to become the next Republican presidential nominee and perhaps the next president. Democrats have little understanding of why he is winning — and winning handily, and even many Republicans don’t see him as a Republican and are trying to stop him, but don’t know how. There are various theories: People are angry and he speaks to their anger. People don’t think much of Congress and want a non-politician. Both may be true. But why? What are the details? And Why Trump?   Continuer la lecture de « George Lakoff's texts and videos »

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Critical Analysis: Europe’s Slow Motion Debacle

Published on Axis of Logic (first on Strategic Culture Foundation ), by Pepe Escobar, March 5, 2016.

From a failed attempt to clear the Calais jungle to the appalling situation at the Greek-Macedonian border, the EU crumbles under the strain of a massive refugee crisis. Even the Kafkaesque Brussels Eurocrat construct admits it – off the record, because official EU must always project a mythical image of unity: “We are on the edge of an abyss” … // Continuer la lecture de « Critical Analysis: Europe’s Slow Motion Debacle »

It Begins: Palace Revolt against ECB’s NIRP

Published on Wolf Street, by Wolf Richter, March 4, 2016: if punishment interest exceeds the pain threshold.

The Association of Bavarian Savings Banks, which represents 71 savings banks in the German State of Bavaria, has had it with the ECB’s negative deposit-rate absurdity, and it’s now instigating a palace revolt. Continuer la lecture de « It Begins: Palace Revolt against ECB’s NIRP »

Is South America’s ‘Progressive Cycle’ at an End?

Published on The Bullet, Socialist Project’s E-Bulletin No. 1229, by Claudio Katz, March 4, 2016: Neo-Developmentalist Attempts and Socialist Projects.

… The year 2015 ended with significant advances of the Right in South America. Mauricio Macri was elected President in Argentina, the opposition gained a majority in the Venezuelan parliament, and Dilma Rousseff is being hounded relentlessly in Brazil. Then there are the conservatives’ campaigns in Ecuador, and it remains to be seen whether Evo Morales will obtain a new mandate in Bolivia.[1] Continuer la lecture de « Is South America’s ‘Progressive Cycle’ at an End? »

Transformational Education: Creating Engaged Citizens

Published on ZNet (first on Portside.org), by Ruth Needleman, March 1, 2016.

Ana began working in a shoe factory in Sapiranga, Southern Brazil, when she was 11 years old. A single mother, Ana worked 6, 10-hour days a week for the next 30 years. Her son could not get help from her on his school work, because she never had a chance to attend school. She felt invisible.   Continuer la lecture de « Transformational Education: Creating Engaged Citizens »

Super Tuesday

Domestic Violence – Violence Conjugale – Häusliche Gewalt

  • Violence conjugale en publique (Prank), 5.32 min, mise en ligne par Webzer … Les membres de OckTV ont réalisé une expérience sociale dans la rue en public pour filmer la réaction des gens face à de la violence conjugale. Un homme va faire semblant de frapper sa copine. Les passants vont intervenir rapidement. Puis ils vont inverser les rôles, la femme va frapper son copain. Et là, c’est complètement différent, les passants ont tendance à se moquer – short translation: violence against women, the public reacts against the man – violence against a man, the public is rather mocking the man;   Continuer la lecture de « Domestic Violence – Violence Conjugale – Häusliche Gewalt »

Refugee Crisis Disunity: A De Facto Solution Takes Shape in the Balkans

Published on Spiegel Online International, by Giorgos Christidis, Katrin Kuntz, Walter Mayr, Peter Müller, Jan Puhl and Mathieu von Rohr, Feb 26, 2016 (Photo Gallery).

Angela Merkel is still hoping for a European solution to the refugee crisis. But with patience running out, Austria has joined countries on the Balkan Route to impose Plan B. But with the closure of borders, the situation in Greece is becoming dangerous … // Continuer la lecture de « Refugee Crisis Disunity: A De Facto Solution Takes Shape in the Balkans »