International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

“The Savage Anomaly” of the Islamic Movement

Niciolas Qualander — 2006-11-30T19:12:00Z

Hezbollah won a great political victory in the Lebanon war this summer. But is this movement really a reactionary and rightist movement, or a deformed expression of rebellion and radicalisation?

- IV383 - November 2006 / Lebanon

Oaxaca: final crisis of the "old order"

Manuel Aguilar Mora — 2006-11-30T16:11:56Z

On December 1st the Mexican federal government will hold its traditional inauguration ceremony in which the outgoing president takes off the tricolour ribbon and hands it over to his successor. For the first time in decades, with the revolt in Oaxaca topping-off nine months of rebellion, the stability of the Mexican state is threatened.

- IV383 - November 2006 / Mexico

The coup d'etat: a step backwards for Thailand and Southeast Asia

Danielle Sabai and Jean Sanuk — 2006-11-25T13:32:13Z

On the evening of Tuesday September 19, benefiting from the absence of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the United Nations General Assembly, soldiers led by general Sonthi Boonyaratklin organized a military putsch in Thailand. The junta now in power claimed it had acted to save Thailand from the threat that Thaksin represented for the democracy and stability of the country.

- IV383 - November 2006 / Thailand

An unending spiral of coups?

Danielle Sabai and Jean Sanuk — 2006-11-25T13:26:57Z

The coup d'etat in Thailand on Tuesday September 19, 2006 put an end to nearly six years of parliamentary democracy, the longest period that Thailand has ever known. It is the latest of a long series. Eighteen such coups have taken place under the reign of King Bhumibol, crowned in 1946.

- IV383 - November 2006 / Thailand

In the Aftermath of the Elections: First Thoughts

David Finkel — 2006-11-21T16:10:35Z

It's clear that the November 2006 election was a national referendum on the Iraq war and the Bush regime. Although there was no “major” antiwar party, voters made it clear that they repudiate the war and Bush's leadership, which also means revulsion over the corruption and sex scandals that came from those who claimed to be so moral.

- IV383 - November 2006 / United States (USA)

A tale of two conferences

Alan Thornett — 2006-11-21T16:06:42Z

Within a fortnight two important meetings of rank and file trade unionists have taken place in London. Both, from different points of view, sought to address the crisis of political representation created by the march to the right of new Labour.

- IV383 - November 2006 / Britain, Trade unions/workplace organizing

Membership crisis ignored at Respect conference

Alan Thornett — 2006-11-21T15:59:36Z

The Respect conference, held on October 15, brought out both the strengths and the weaknesses of the current stage of development of Respect with some force. Unfortunately there were few decisions taken which will tackle the problems that emerged.

- IV383 - November 2006 / Britain, New parties of the left

Milestone conference for Scottish Socialists

Alan Thornett, Terry Conway — 2006-11-13T17:50:30Z

Some 350 people attended the October Scottish Socialist Party conference, a conference of confidence and renewal, despite the recent split led by Tommy Sheridan.

- IV383 - November 2006 / Scotland, New parties of the left

2006 Elections - a profound political break

João Machado, José Correa Leite — 2006-11-12T11:19:35Z

In the first round of Brazil's presidential election Left Front candidate Helopisa Helena scored more than 6.5 million votes, or 6.85% of the total. But the elections were mainly characterised by voter apathy, a reflection of the frustrated hopes of the most politicised sectors after four years of Lula government.

- IV383 - November 2006 / Brazil

Hezbollah and Resistance

Marie Nassif-Debs — 2006-11-11T11:40:41Z

How to assess the Lebanese organisation Hezbollah has become very controversial on the Left. Here Marie Nassif-Debs explains the view of the Lebanese Communist Party, and their perspectives for the struggle.

- IV383 - November 2006 / Lebanon