nationalism
Statement against Israeli and Palestinian nationalisms; what's in a flag?
An attempt to present an internationalist perspective on the current situation in the West Bank, following Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip.
Most people in Israel will remember one thing about the protest later today (Sat 3/1/2009): that the organizers went to the Supreme Court in order to make sure they are allowed to present a Palestinian flag.
Now, I am in favor of anyone being able to present any kind of flag or no flag at any time. But one should ask what purpose a Palestinian (former PLO) flag would serve.
The Socialist Workers Party on the Iran-Iraq war, 1987
Brief extracts from Socialist Worker, which illustrate the SWP's support for Iran during the Iran-Iraq war.
“we have no choice but to support the Khomeini regime”
"...it would be wrong to strike...
“socialists should not call for the disruption of military supplies to the front… should not support actions which could lead to the collapse of the military effort”
Socialist Worker - 28/11/87
Nationalism and the road to happiness for the Chinese
This article by the Chinese anarchist writer Ba Jin was originally published in Awakening the People, No. 1, September 1921.
Chinese society is at the darkest stage now. Under such circumstances, young people become impotent and weak without the power to resist corruption. Even the brave ones can only keep quiet and submit to fate. When it is really unbearable, suicide is the only way out. China is paralyzed; where can we find happiness?
The Sixth Declaration, the Zapatistas, nationalism and the state
A short examination of the Zapatistas and nationalism written in late 2007 as a discussion document by a then-member of a local UK Zapatista solidarity group.
Understanding exactly what is meant by the Sixth Declaration is a difficult task. While the Declaration opens with a reference to it being the ‘simple word’(1) of the EZLN there is a certain, perhaps deliberate, lack of theoretical clarity. This can, completely understandably, cause problems interpreting the document and the Zapatista position.
Anarchist integralism: art, politics and the apres-garde - Stewart Home
An article on nationalist, elitist and racist currents in anarchist thought, past and present. It makes important points, but is guilty of over-generalisation, sectarianism, and excursions deep into wind-up territory.
It also veers between classical anarchist thinkers and modern primitivism at the expense of most of the history of anarchism as a social movement. By Luther Blissett, aka Stewart Home. Originally published by Sabotage Editions, London, 1997.
Class struggle in Iraq - interview with a veteran
An interview covering class struggle in Iraq from the '40s to early '90s in Iraq.
The following interview was first published in 'Workers Scud - no patriot can catch us!' (London, June 1991), a collection of articles reflecting on the Gulf War.
The Class Struggle in Iraq - an interview with a veteran
Q: Can you briefly tell us about the class struggle in Iraq before the overthrow of the monarchy in 1958?
1919: The Story of the Limerick Soviet
The Story of the Limerick Soviet, April 1919 By D.R. O'Connor Lysaght (1979)
Introduction
On 21st January, 1919, Dail Eireann held its opening session and the Irish Volunteers drew their first mortal blood since 1916 at Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary. These facts have set the seal for subsequent historians of the first months of the year.
Yugoslavia: Imperialist war against the world proletariat, 1990s - ICG
The ICG's analysis of the war in Yugoslavia, with information about the preceding wave of workers struggles in the region.
For us the analysis of the war in Yugoslavia is indispensable. This war is not only of the greatest importance for its direct consequences for the conditions of life and struggle of proletarians in the region - it is also important for the international proletariat, and because it announces and prefigures the military conflicts that are to come.
From Communism #9
- "Is that you, Mladic?"
Some basic ingredients of Yugoslav ideology
BM Blob's pamphlet on Yugoslavia including details of the strike wave in the mid-late '80s.
The Historical Context
Yugoslavia emerged from the ruins of the first world war and under the name of the Kingdom of Sets, Slovenes and Croats grouped itself around the kingdom of Serbia. In 1929 it became the 'Kingdom of Yugoslavia".
Every nation-state is imperialist by nature - Tom Wetzel
Many leftists see so-called "national liberation" movements as the strategy for opposing American imperialism. Tom Wetzel asks if this is the case.
The idea is that creating independent state-run economies can cut down the power of the dominant centers of capital and chart an independent course that gives expression to "national self-determination." National liberation only enhances the power of the local boss class.
Third World Nationalism
Ireland, nationalism and imperialism, the myths exploded, 1972-1992 - Subversion
Written before the Good Friday Agreement at a time when the 'armed struggle' was still part of daily life in Northern Ireland this article, though inevitably somewhat dated, this remains a cogent analysis of the recent history of Ireland.
TWENTY YEARS ON A KNIFE EDGE
'... the fate of the province [Northern Ireland] is still, as it has been for so long, poised on a knife- edge between a slow climb back to some form of ordered existence, or a swift plunge into unimaginable anarchy and civil war.'
Race, class and organisation - Workers Solidarity Federation
An interesting analysis of race, anarchism and class from South African organisation the Workers Solidarity Federation from 1998.
INTRODUCTION BY BLACK FLAG:
We recently observed a very fruitful discussion on race and class on the internet, particularly around "black" anarchism, special oppressions and the desirability of separate organisation.
Armed gunmen attack Palestine Workers' Radio
Armed gunmen from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades attacked the offices of the Palestine Workers' Radio for inciting "internal conflicts" in Palestine.
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights strongly condemns an attack launched on offices of Palestinian Workers Radio, which falls under the scope of repeated attacks on media intuitions by armed Palestinian groups. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate this crime and bring its perpetrators to justice.
Budapest: protests grow as politicians manoeuvre
Budapest has seen the largest anti-government demonstrations yet with up to 40,000 demonstrating peacefully outside parliament demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.
Gyurcsany was caught on tape admitting he “lied morning, noon and night” to get elected, but now claims he didn’t mean he actually lied, but was just exaggerating.
1919-1946: Gandhi and the national liberation of India
A critical examination of the 'saint' of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, and his role in the 'liberation' of India.
Mahatma Gandhi is often cited by pacifists as the shining example of how non-violent civil disobedience works successfully. Unfortunately, these paeans of praise leave out a close study of Gandhi’s role in the Indian struggle for ‘independence’, and just as importantly, who were his class allies in that struggle.
1894-1931: Anarchism in Korea
A short history of anarchism and the anarchist movement in North and South Korea.
In the 2,000 years of Korean history there arose movements fighting for peasants rights and for national independence. Within these movements there were tendencies that may be seen as forerunners of modern anarchism, in the same way as we might view the Diggers in the English revolution.
1932: Belfast Outdoor Relief Strike
The Falls and the Shankhill united, Catholics and Protestants fighting together. That is the story of the Outdoor Relief Strike launched by the unemployed of Belfast in 1932.
It is important today not only because it is a part of our history that has been denied space in the school books but also because it was a living demonstration that the sectarian barrier can be breached.


















