The Domino Effect: The Revolution Spreads

In the future when history is being written, the year 2011 will be known as 'the year of the revolutions'. Since the turn of the year we have seen a wave of popular uprisings across the globe. First was Tunisia, where the dictator Ben Ali was overthrown.  Next came Egypt, where Mubarak was forced from power and arrested, before the domino effect took hold and the scent of revolution spread across the middle eastern region. At the moment, uprisings are continuing in Lybia and Syria, although the former has been hijacked by the powers of western imperialism. The African and Middle East uprisings and revolutions would, many thought, be contained to the region. The past week's events in Spain have cast doubts on whether the contagious and infectious idea of revolution can be contained.

Stand Up, Get Up: A Song Of Revolution

This is a song I wrote and recorded last year. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, share the link on !!

http://soundcloud.com/derek-mckenna37473/stand-up-get-up

Default Now And Throw Off Our Chains

The recent Morgan Kelly article in the Irish Times, “Ireland's future depends on breaking free from bailout”[1]  has caused much debate in the Irish media.  In the article, UCD economist Kelly suggests that Ireland should walk away from the EU/IMF deal. In this regard Kelly is totally right, however the solution to the crisis that he proposes is wide of the mark.  More austerity is not the answer.  It is only through the promotion of economic growth through public investment and job creation, progressive taxation and nationalisation of our resources that Ireland will 'start' to emerge from the crisis.

A Critique of the IMF

Recent years have seen growing criticism of the International Monetary Fund. What are these criticisms and are they justified?

“It is important to note that IMF programmes are not designed to increase the welfare of the population. They are designed to bring the external payments account into balance.... The IMF is the ultimate guardian of the interests of capitalists and bankers doing international business” (Kari Polanyi Levitt, cited in Torrie, J. 1983, Introduction).