NI 484 - July, 2015

Capitalism is spinning out of control

A note from the editor

Seeking other paths

This month’s Big Story is a much-abbreviated version of my book SOS: Alternatives to Capitalism.*

Why SOS? SOS is, of course, a nautical term sent out by ships in distress meaning Save Our Souls. The title of this book adapts this to Save Our Species. And that, I believe, is what is at stake. Not next year perhaps, or even next decade, but certainly in the foreseeable future we are heading socially and ecologically down a slippery slope – the bottom of which promises a very hard landing. The main villain of the piece is our current system which is committed to runaway growth based on ecological destruction and levels of social inequality unimaginable just 30 or 40 years ago. SOS is an attempt to help us put on the brakes and show we have other options.

The purpose of this magazine – and the book from which it is drawn – is to tease out what such genuine alternatives to capitalism might look like. It looks at what the past experience of such alternatives has been, at the issues and problems that have haunted them – and some of the paths not taken. This is a bittersweet history of rich diversity marked by massacre, noble failure and tepid success. SOS then moves into the present to suggest ways out of the maze of life-threatening inequality and eco-catastrophe.

Elsewhere in the issue, we meet Masih Alinejad, the Iranian women’s rights campaigner making waves through social media; and Susana Baca, an award-winning singer-songwriter championing her marginalized Afro-Peruvian community.

* Special offers on book and e-book. See nin.tl/SOSoffer

Richard Swift for the New Internationalist co-operative.
www.newint.org

The big story

All illustrations for Alternatives to Capitalism by Volker Straeter unless otherwise marked.

NI 484 - July, 2015

Capitalism is spinning out of control

A note from the editor

Seeking other paths

The big story

Richard Swift begins his journey through political alternatives to capitalism by looking at the nature of the beast they seek to oppose.

Features

From Karl Marx to Ed Miliband and François Hollande is a very long journey indeed. But all at least pay lip-service to socialism. So how has it worked as an alternative?

The other great historic alternative to capitalism has been anarchism. Often dismissed as a dirty word, its influence ebbs and flows but its libertarian principles remain profoundly influential.

The environmental crisis is proving not only a challenge to capitalism but forcing resistance movements to rethink their politics.

A cartoon by P J Polyp

Richard Swift examines the history of Utopian thinking that fundamentally re-imagines democracy and equality.

Richard Swift considers an alternative to economies based on over-consumption and growth-addiction.

Together, the monarchy and the military hold tightly to the reins of power in Thailand. With little sign of popular resistance, Jo Eckersley wonders if this is likely to change.

Valeska Hovener and Marielle van Uitert hear how two Afghan women who have fled family abuse are learning to move on.

Web exclusives

Daiva Repečkaitė explains how Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are clamouring to make themselves look good at the expense of Greece.

Blogs

Dan Iles busts myths surrounding corporate farming and argues to place people first.

Guy Taylor is up in arms over today's TTIP vote in the European Parliament.

Opinion

Mark Engler's View From America.

Agenda

Hang your head in shame, ANZ bank.

Some good news this month.

Robin Llewellyn reports on the murder of environmentalists in Colombia.

Compensation award will bolster future efforts to hold manufacturers to account, reports Ilona Kelly.

Amy Hall reports on the threat to remote communities in Australia.

The rise of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters party, and its leader, speaks volumes, says Richard Swift.

Lewis Garland reports on a growing solidarity movement to help asylum-seekers.

Chris Brazier looks back at what NI was covering three decades ago.

Jess Worth on flourishing primates in Peru.

Good news from Scandinavia, but the fossil-free fight continues, says Hazel Healy.

Increased defence spending is just one sign that the country is pulling away from its pacifist moorings, writes Tina Burrett.

Regulars

Praise, blame and all points in between? Your feedback published in the July/August 2015 magazine.

Money may be in short supply, but mangos are definitely not, discovers Ruby Diamonde.

Cartoon by Simon Kneebone.

Despite the recent boom, the country is still one of glaring inequalities, writes Louisa Reynolds.

Osama Hajjaj from Jordan with 'Women's Freedom'.

Cartoon by P J Polyp.

Cartoon by Marc Roberts.

Exiled Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad is using social media to challenge Iran’s compulsory hijab law. Lucinda Homa Gray meets her.

Diane Ghogomu talks to Susana Baca, the award-winning singer-songwriter who has dedicated her life to getting recognition for her marginalized Afro-Peruvian community.

Film, Book & Music Reviews

Richard Swift picks out some highlights from the 2015 documentary film festival.

Louise Gray listens to new releases from Checkpoint 303 and Xáos.

Books by Leila Aboulela, Victor Pelevin and Charles Glass reviewed.

More Film, Music & Book reviews from the July 2015 magazine.

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