Politics
8 Reasons Young Americans Don't Fight Back: How the US Crushed Youth Resistance
The ruling elite has created social institutions that have subdued young Americans and broken their spirit of resistance. Bruce E. Levine AlterNet Traditionally, young people have energized democratic movements. So it is a major coup for the ruling elite to have created societal institutions that have subdued young Americans and broken their spirit of resistance to domination.
Icelandic Anger Brings Debt Forgiveness in Best Recovery Story
Icelanders who pelted parliament with rocks in 2009 demanding their leaders and bankers answer for the country’s economic and financial collapse are reaping the benefits of their anger. Since the end of 2008, the island’s banks have forgiven loans equivalent to 13 percent of gross domestic product, easing the debt burdens of more than a quarter of the population, according to a report published this month by the Icelandic Financial Services Association . Enlarge image Icelandic Anger Brings Debt Forgiveness A cyclist passes an Icelandic national flag hanging in a popular shopping street in Reykjavik, Iceland. A cyclist passes an Icelandic national flag hanging in a popular shopping street in Reykjavik, Iceland.The Next American Revolution Won't Be Like the First - Wendy McElroy
One of my friends believes that a second American revolution is imminent and will be sparked by the economic instability now rocking the continent. Frankly, I doubt it. Insurrections may occur, but I expect the US government to lumber along, dragging the world deeper into poverty and conflict for many years to come. Upon hearing my friend out, however, my first thought was, " if a revolution erupts, it will resemble the French one of 1789 more closely than the American one of 1776."
Media Consolidation: The Illusion of Choice
As a dad (and blogger) I’m concerned with the integrity of the news and entertainment my family and I consume every day. Who really produces, owns and airs the shows my kids are glued to every evening and which companies select the stories I read with such loyalty each morning? I’ve always advocated for critical consumption, and what could be more important than an awareness of the sources of our families’ daily info and entertainment diets? And today, most of our media is controlled by one of six companies.
The politics of pensions | UC
Steve Cushion Crisis? What crisis? Prophets of doom in the government and their supporters in the press are currently issuing dire warnings that there is a crisis in the provision of pensions because we are all living longer. This, we are told, can only be resolved if pensionable age is raised, benefit levels curbed and contributions from employees are increased.An Occupy London protester outside the Bank of England. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA The ancient Greeks had a word for it – pleonexia – which means an overreaching desire for more than one's share.
The Price of Inequality by Joseph Stiglitz – review | Books | The Observer
Firebox: Politics with your panini by Firebox London
Launched in October 2012, Firebox is a fantastic new project in the heart of King's Cross. We provide a welcoming space where progressive movements, local residents and left-leaning people can come together to learn about politics and organise campaigns.
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