Blogs

Since being brought to the attention of people striking on November 30, the no-strike union Voice has come in for some stick on Facebook and Twitter. They take exception to this, and argue in a blog that their views and their right to not strike ought to be respected. For them, and others who might be of a similar view, here's a quick guide to what exactly is wrong with crossing a picket line.

Government ramps up the apparatus of state control ahead of the Olympics, which is part of a wider and more worrying trend.

A couple of reports on the English Defence League that have been published by the think-tank Demos recently make for interesting reading.

A worrying example of bailiffs behaving as violent thugs which NPower believe is legitimate

The Working Class Self Organisation blog looks at the Royal family's treatment of its own members with mental illnesses before the screening of a new Channel 4 documentary on the same subject.

A brief introduction to the little known teachers union, Voice.

This blog has been planned for ages, but has somewhat been superseded by the shift to ‘technocratic’ rule in Greece and Italy. Nonetheless, hopefully it’s a useful hypothesis on state legitimacy.

Phil Dickens stresses the importance of fighting the cuts to welfare following the deaths of Mark and Helen Mullins.

Came across an OccupyPhilosophy blog run by a bunch of philosophers.

A 2003 interview with marxist and evolutionary geneticist Richard Lewontin on the politics of science.

I've not yet purchased his new book yet, though I'm sure I'll grab a copy sometime, but already all the interviews with him and reviews I've read are fairly infuriating.

Gayge Operaista's account of the 2011 Oakland general strike, the fallout within the occupy movement and what direction things may go from here.

Summary and links to news stories of workers' struggles around East Asia during October 2011 and related resources. The most important stories appear on my Twitter feed as soon as I find them: http://twitter.com/spartacusnews.

My friend Joel White wrote this piece, about the president of our student's union, who is also a Special Constable. It appeared in the University's student newspaper and also on Bright Green. Personally, I'd have gone further, criticising the role of both police and elected representatives, and pointed out that Specials are worse than normal cops cos they do it for free, but still an interesting piece especially considering it was aimed initially at an apolitical student body rather than anyone directly involved with any kind of organising.

An apparently refreshing take on underclass alienation soon sours into the same old rancid reaction

Blog discussing the ethics of Rihanna's looting choices, from a communist perspective.

A review of the play by 1927, who knew the UK riots were going to happen before everyone else did

Parents and staff at Bournville school have successfully defeated plans to turn the school into an academy.