We Need a Politics That Is Not Only Class-Focused, but Class-Rooted
It’s not enough to make class the subject of our politics. We need to develop our political demands from a ferment that is rooted in class organizing and union density.
28 Articles by: Sam Gindin
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Sam Gindin was research director of the Canadian Auto Workers from 1974–2000. He is co-author (with Leo Panitch) of The Making of Global Capitalism (Verso), and co-author with Leo Panitch and Steve Maher of The Socialist Challenge Today, the expanded and updated American edition of which is forthcoming from Haymarket in 2020.
The Coronavirus and the Crisis
Coronavirus has exposed capitalism as unable to meet our most basic needs, but that has never been enough for the Left. We need to develop democratic organizations and build our social power, even in the middle of a pandemic, to win.
Workers of the World Can Still Unite
Jane McAlevey believes in the potential of working people to unite across divisions, develop their collective potentials into a creative social force, and change the world. Her new book offers concrete tactics and practices for how workers can win more battles — and prepare for the larger wars to come.
When Union Militancy Isn’t Enough
The GM strike was a reminder of two old lessons: rank-and-file militancy is the foundation of working-class struggle. But to win, we need a broader socialist politics that can both support worker organizing and push it further.
What a Socialist Society Could Actually Look Like
Socialists have to wrestle with the tricky questions about the nuts and bolts of socialism. We need to put forward a credible vision of a future socialist society. Here’s what that society could look like.
We Need to Say What Socialism Will Look Like
Socialists can't wave away concerns about the feasibility of a future socialist society — we need to offer people credible answers.
Stopping the GM Shutdowns
What can workers and communities do when the company pulls the plug on an entire workplace? Tariffs and boycotts won’t cut it — the only answer is democratic planning.
Bob White (1935–2017)
Canadian union organizer and leader Bob White was committed to charting an independent and democratic course for workers.
Building a Mass Socialist Party
The response to Bernie showed that a socialist party in the United States is possible. But there is no shortcut to building power.
The Power of Deep Organizing
Jane McAlevey's No Shortcuts provides a dynamic framework for building union power.
Follow the Money
Canadian autoworkers are demanding control over companies' investments. Will it work?
Beyond Social Movement Unionism
Bringing together weak unions and weak social movements isn’t enough. We need a new kind of socialist party.
Chasing Utopia
Worker ownership and cooperatives will not succeed by competing on capitalism's terms.
Less Work, More Power
The struggle against overwork can unite workers and help rebuild the labor movement.
The Syriza Dilemma
What would constructive pressure on the Syriza government look like?
Is Another Crisis Looming?
There's much talk of stagnation in the American economy. But radicals shouldn't assume capitalism is on its last legs.
When History Knocks
Naomi Klein rightly blames capitalism for climate change. But she doesn't go far enough.
Paying Dues
Ending dues check-off will not reverse the labor movement’s bureaucratization and conservatism.
Unmaking Global Capitalism
Nine things to know about organizing in the belly of the beast.
Raising Our Expectations
Jane McAlevey challenges the Left to stop lamenting its disappointments in the working class and address our own failures.