Lucien van der Walt’s reply to my “Marxism and Anarchism” marks a welcome step forward beyond the all too familiar “non-debate” between Marxist and anarchist tendencies on the revolutionary left.1 Essentially, his argument is that while International Socialism and anarchism… Continue Reading
Leon Trotsky’s theory of permanent revolution formed in its author’s mind during Russia’s 1905 Revolution—between 9 January, when workers marched to the Winter Palace to petition the Tsar, and the mass strikes of October that gave birth to the Petrograd… Continue Reading
There was a lovely piece on capitalism and disability from Roddy Slorach in the last issue of International Socialism, with a very well balanced account of the social model of disability which, as Roddy says, “turned received wisdom on its… Continue Reading
This article responds to criticisms of the broad anarchist tradition in International Socialism, an International Socialist Tendency (IST) journal.1 I will discuss topics such as the use of sources, defending revolutions and freedom, the Spanish anarchists, anarchism and democracy, the… Continue Reading
The last few issues of this journal have seen a debate develop over the Marxist attitude to sex work.1 Jane Pritchard’s original article, “The Sex Work Debate”,2 elicited a critical response from Gareth Dale and Xanthe Rose.3 Jess Edwards replied… Continue Reading
Everyone knows the joke that, of the last three crises, Marxists have predicted at least five. What the joke doesn’t say is that they failed to predicted a sixth, their own crisis, to which I will devote these remarks. To… Continue Reading
In the last issue of this journal Alex Callinicos invited discussion on the kinds of demand that might provide a “complete” and “universally valid” transitional programme for revolutionaries today.1 This is somewhat of a new departure for the Socialist Workers… Continue Reading
Productive debate requires engagement with the other’s stronger positions. In her reply to us, Jess Edwards ignores this rule, relying instead upon insinuation, imputation and distortion.1 She enlists enough Aunt Sallies and straw men to pack out a small stadium,… Continue Reading
The following is a contribution to the debate on sex work which has been taking place in the International Socialism journal. The author is the president of the GMB Sex workers & Adult Entertainment branch. I have read with attention… Continue Reading
The previous issue of this journal carried an article arguing that sex work is fundamentally the same as other forms of wage labour in capitalist society.1 They argue that the primary response of revolutionary socialists to the growth of the… Continue Reading