Ten years since the crash

What now for the world economy?

All is not well with capitalism. Economic jitters parallel political volatility. Stock market highs in December turned to mass share sell-offs in February. Colossal personal and governmental debt stalks the system, limiting the capitalists’ room for manoeuvre. In reality, the global economy has not fully recovered from the 2007/08 crash. JUDY BEISHON writes.

Editorial: Tory Brexit divisions, Corbyn’s opportunity

The Socialist Party campaigned for a Leave vote in the June 2016 referendum, refusing to give a vote of confidence to the European Union bosses’ club. We also supported a Leave vote because of the impact we predicted it would have on the Tory Party - which is now accepted wisdom. This situation creates opportunities but also, with the Blairite fifth column within the Labour Party on Brexit manoeuvres, dangers too. The need for the workers’ movement to have an independent class position on the EU and a socialist, internationalist programme has never been greater.

Gorbachev: accidental architect of world change

Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s last leader, left a truly historical legacy. Aiming to reform bureaucratic rule he helped unleash forces that led to the complete collapse of Stalinism in Russia and eastern Europe. That then fed capitalist globalisation, opening up new markets and cheap labour – and a worldwide propaganda offensive against socialism. PETER TAAFFE reviews a comprehensive study of the central player.