The Left Is Back (Sort Of)
But we’re nothing without our universal subject — the international working class.
70 Articles by: David Broder
David Broder is Jacobin’s Europe editor and a historian of French and Italian communism.
The End of Anti-Fascism
The European Parliament has condemned communism as equivalent to Nazism. Based on a fantasy reading of history, the motion smears all “radicalism” as “totalitarian” — and dismisses the moral superiority of those who fought fascism.
From Swords to Ploughshares
We’re held hostage by a political and military elite that exploits us to fuel its endless wars.
Breaking the Chains of Command
For centuries, working-class people have been sent to die in wars for empire. The rich history of soldier revolt isn’t just about foreign policy — it’s about breaking the power of the mighty in society as a whole.
Salvini Can Be Beaten
Far-right leader Matteo Salvini brought down the Italian government because he wanted fresh elections. A pact among the other parties could stop his advance — but only if it breaks with austerity.
Scandals Aren’t Enough to Stop Salvini
After a year dominating the government from the Interior Ministry, Matteo Salvini is now set to become prime minister. The opposition has worked hard to highlight what a bad guy he is — but totally failed to confront him politically.
Socialists Invented Summer Vacation
Summer at work is unbearable when we can’t look forward to some time off. In 1930s France, the labor movement made the fight for vacation a top priority — and forced bosses to pay for our time at the beach.
The Five Star Movement Is Imploding
The Five Star Movement emerged promising to liberate Italians from a corrupt political establishment. But its hollow claim to stand outside the left-right divide has made it into a mere stooge for Matteo Salvini.
Emmanuel Macron Wants to Set Space on Fire
The 1960s space race prompted international treaties insisting that space travel should only be used for peaceful purposes. Today, Emmanuel Macron’s plans to put military hardware in space point to a dangerous new arms race.
Trump Can’t Stop Jeremy Corbyn
Days after Trump said Boris Johnson should be next prime minister, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised the US wouldn’t allow Jeremy Corbyn come to power. They can't stop him.
Salvini Isn’t About to Take Over Europe
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s hard-right interior minister, has no intention of taking his country out of the eurozone. And his plans to change the EU from within are surprisingly feeble.
Machete and Sickle
One hundred years ago, the Third International inspired the creation of communist parties across Latin America. Yet only its demise would liberate them from stifling Russian control.
The State We Need
Socialists throughout history have understood that holding office is not the same thing as winning power. Working people can only entrench their victories through a fight to change the state itself.
The Wilderness Years
Splitters from Labour want to create a new centrist force in British politics. The Social Democratic Party of the 1980s offers plenty of reason to hope they’ll fail.
Who Calls the Shots
Italy’s far-right Matteo Salvini faces charges for the kidnapping of 177 migrants. But the supposedly anti-establishment Five Star Movement can block the trial — and probably will.
Hobsbawm in Italy
Eric Hobsbawm's close engagement with the Italian Communist Party demonstrated the sharply political character of his work.
Comrades at War
Governments want us to respect World War I veterans in an apolitical way. But we should not forget the thousands of veterans who returned home to fight for their rights.
The Resentful and the Damned
Matteo Salvini’s hard-right Lega used to want independence for Northern Italy. Today, the party is building a reactionary base in the South.
The Left Should Welcome Mélenchon
Liberals want to smear Jean-Luc Mélenchon as a xenophobe. In fact, they fear his potential to unite the oppressed.
Zoo Without a Giraffe
Italy’s Democratic Party wants to lead the resistance against the government’s hard-right policies. Yet the party seems close to its death-knell.