Papers by Graham E Holton
Tensões Mundiais, 2018
is a US academic, journalist, a prominent activist in the U.S. labour movement and a co-founder o... more is a US academic, journalist, a prominent activist in the U.S. labour movement and a co-founder of Teamsters for a Democratic Union. He is also a leader of the US socialist organization Solidarity, which apparently has roots in the Trotskyist tradition. 1 In 1998 he received his Ph.D in American history at the University of Cincinnati, and later became professor of history and Latin American studies at Miami University, USA. He is an editor of Mexican Labor News and Analysis, and author of The Crisis of Mexican Labor (1988), as well as other books on the labour movement. La Botz sets out to show that the Sandinistas-Sandinista Front for National Liberation (FSLN)-were principally shaped by the Soviet and Cuban Communist models, and thus lacked any genuine democratic socialism. It is for this reason that the FSLN lacked rank-and-file democracy in the decision making of the National Directorate, placing great power in the hands of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega. This background led in later years to the FSLN leadership making an alliance with the capitalist class,
Comparative Education Review, 2004
the Argentine radical Right had a specifically Argentine anti-Semitic worldview, one that "functi... more the Argentine radical Right had a specifically Argentine anti-Semitic worldview, one that "functioned as a self-confirming discourse that could be shared for those already convinced of its veracity" (p. 352). While Lvovich observes that the effects of this anti-Semitism outside nationalist spheres were, of course, more limited, he insists that "its influence was far from being marginal" (p. 552). Recent studies by Senkman, Graciela Ben-Dror, Lvovich, and myself show that anti-Semitism shaped central dimensions of the Argentine reception of the Holocaust and actually affected Argentine immigration policies that could have changed the fate of many Jewish victims in Europe. One wonders how "far from being marginal" anti-Semitism was in other sectors of Argentine society, including the Radical and Conservative parties. One also wonders how anti-Semitism projected itself into the more recent past, such as its role in the anti-Semitic neofascist terrorism of the 1960s and during the last Argentine military dictatorship, when a disproportionate number of victims were of Jewish origins, and anti-Semitism had a central role inside the military torture chambers. These issues are beyond the scope of Lvovich's already far-reaching book, but his work invites further research on these central questions. The book's bibliography, particularly its multifaceted primary sources, adds complexity to an already detailed history. The book's clear narrative makes it accessible for specialists and nonspecialists alike. In sum, this book is a stimulating addition to Argentine historiography and fleshes out the sad history of the birth, development, and temporary repression of an ideological phenomenon whose repercussions still affect Argentina today.
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2023
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
In a magical realist style, Colombia's most noted novelist, Gabriel García Márquez, tells the com... more In a magical realist style, Colombia's most noted novelist, Gabriel García Márquez, tells the complex history of Colombia through the multi-generational story of the Buendía family. The family is controlled by the complexity of the past. The story culminates with the United Fruit Company strike with the Colombian army massacring over one thousand striking banana plantation workers. It is known as the Banana Massacre of 1928. José Arcadio Segundo, the only survivor of the massacre, finds no evidence of the massacre, and the surviving townspeople deny or refuse to believe it happened. Today estimates of the massacre differ from 50 to over 1,000 dead because of the lack of evidence. For anyone wanting to know why the history of Colombia is so violent this is a good place to start.
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
The world's top chess Grand Masters (GM) are currently fighting for the title of world champion. ... more The world's top chess Grand Masters (GM) are currently fighting for the title of world champion. Along with the title goes much political prestige. The sixtyfour-space board game was invented in India as a training tool for its military leaders to fight wars. Diplomacy is not considered in the game, as the aim is to capture the opponent's king. If this requires the complete annihilation of the opponent's pieces, then so be it. It is a brutal game of intellect, with a lot of politics behind the scenes. In Toronto, Canada the 2024 World Chess Championship is run by FIDE (International Chess Federation) to determine the next World Chess Champion. There is more than a lot of money at stake, the winner also carries national political prestige. The eight-player double round-robin tournament will decide the candidate to play the defending champion, GM Ding Liren of China. From the start the competition has had its upsets, with the very popular GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway withdrawing. In response to the Russia's conflict with Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian flags have been banned from all FIDE-related events, leaving Russian players using the FIDE flag. Ukraine has a special significance, as it is one of the world's great chess nations. The other GM candidates in the competition are from USA, India, Pakistan and Azerbaijan. The politics of the US playing against Russia and possibly China have not been lost on international observers. The international chess championships are very political. At a time of worsening US-China relations Ding's victory in 2023 was seen as a major political victory for China. FIDE has supported Ukraine in the present conflict, but has failed to support the Palestinian cause. Instead, FIDE blatantly ignores the brutal Israeli occupation of Palestine, by protecting Israel from the Iranian Chess Federation boycott. If Russia's Ian A. Nepomniachtchi wins the competition it will be a political boon for Russia, which is presently facing bans from most international sports events. Nepomniachtchi was one of forty-four Russian chess players who had signed an open letter condemning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In 2023, to avoid international sanctions, imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Chess Federation (RCF) switched from the European Chess Union to the Asian Chess Federation. FIDE violates its own moto, gens una sumus, "We are one Family," and its own charter. It is heavily influenced by corporate backing and political influences. FIDE has become a hub for Western propaganda, reflecting the present global geopolitics. In 2018, after accusations of corruption, FIDE announced the election of a new president, Arkady V. Dvorkovich (Russian), to replaced the 23-year, seven-term reign of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov (Russian), who was suspended for allegedly violating the organisation's code of ethics. It was a symbolic move to improve FIDE's international reputation.
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
Chess is a game of intellect, discipline and strategic thinking. It was important in the spread o... more Chess is a game of intellect, discipline and strategic thinking. It was important in the spread of Socialism and its principles. Chess is an equaliser in which a peasant, once taught, can play as well as someone of the ruling class. The strategic underpinnings of chess reveal the fundamental principles of socialism in its economic decision-making. Chess and Socialism require analysis, strategic thinking, and solving complex scenarios, all essential to the USSR and Cuba after their Revolutions. Karl Marx (1818-1883) was an avid chess player. One of his frequent opponents was Wilhelm Liebknecht (1826-1900) the co-founder of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, with whom Marx played marathon sessions. Only one recorded game played by Marx has survived. Francis Wheen, the biographer of Karl Marx, places him as Class A, rating of 1800-1999, or possibly an Expert (Grand Master) with 2000-2199. Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) was also an avid chess player and a strong promoter of the game in the USSR. There are famous photographs of Lenin playing the Bolshevik revolutionary Alexander Bogdanov during a visit to Maxim Gorky in 1908. There is an apocryphal signed sketch of Lenin playing chess with Adolf Hitler dated 1925, representing the coming conflict between the USSR and Nazi Germany. Alexander Nikolai Krylenko, People's Commissar for Justice, at first advocated government support of the strongest chess players. As chess materials became more affordable, and the theory was spread amongst the Soviets, chess became a state-funded sport. Chess was closely tied to the State labour organizations. The Party believed that chess would raise the cultural level of the working class, a prerequisite for Socialism. Chess soon became the "people's game," as it was inexpensive, social, easy to teach, and players learnt strategic thinking. These were necessary for people to understand Marxism and dialectics. By the 1940s the Soviet Union was the world's leading chess power. In 1945 the visiting US chess team gave a carved pipe depicting Stalin playing chess with President F.D. Roosevelt. The US vs USSR chess match was played over the radio for chess supremacy. The ten leading masters of the USA played the ten leading masters of the Soviet Union. The USSR team won by 11 points. It was a crushing defeat for the US as it expected its players to easily beat the Russians.
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
More than 53,000 homes are planned to be added to the state's social housing stock over the next ... more More than 53,000 homes are planned to be added to the state's social housing stock over the next two decades. In the past financial year, the government has built 485 social homes. In February 2024 the state Labor government announced $1.25 billion towards the social housing plan. Steven Miles told the ABC news, "Our plan sets the target of 53,500 social homes by 2046, backed by over $1.2 billion of additional funding, which takes the investment to over $7 billion since 2015." The building of social housing will require 18,000 extra tradespeople each year. Before the 1980s the Qld government provided free accommodation for its regional workers, such as railway station masters, nurses, health care workers, midwives, teachers and police officers. State-owned properties provided a very useful service to state employees and rural communities. With the rise of neoliberalism these properties were sold off to private enterprise at low prices. We are now facing the consequences, not only in Qld but across all Australia. We need to bring back state-owned housing for workers in rural communities. The private housing sector has not solved the homelessness problem, but greatly aggravated it. In Qld rent increases used to be allowed every six months, but the new laws limit increases to once in a 12-month period. Over 300 disputes over 12 months were "rent increase" related. Of these a dozen investigations led to being conducted into landlords hiking tenants' rents too many times. The maximum penalty for property owners or managers failing to comply with the rental frequency rule was a fine of $3,096. Rental prices are increasing at over three times the rate of the cost-of-living index (CPI), which is an average of $104 per week. Rent rises must be restricted to once per annum at the rate of the CPI. One in twenty renters in Qld have a disability, and they require modifications such as locks on windows, railings in the bathroom, and ramps to ensure all parts of the property are accessible. These are covered in the Disability Act, but too often it is not adhered to. Renting is now a long-term necessity, making personal safety a priority. These are the basic human rights of the renter. Negative gearing has not improved the quality of homes. Those who complain, are too often given notice to leave by property managers. In Australia more than 122,400 people are homeless. One in four are between 12 and 24 years of age. This has placed great competition on the homeless to find secure and safe accommodation, forcing some to squat in disused properties. Until 1970 squatting was not a criminal act, but became so in response to an increasing number of 'sit in' protests. Owners who wanted to evict these squatters needed to go through civil court processes before using the police to evict the protesters. Landlords could face a fine of up to $22,000 for an unlawful eviction by using force. There are numerous websites dedicated to assisting squatters in Australia.
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
In the 2024-25 budget the Queensland government will spend $520 million on a six-year program to ... more In the 2024-25 budget the Queensland government will spend $520 million on a six-year program to "drive emissions reductions, with a focus on the state's highest emitting metallurgical coal mines." It will spend $16.5 billion on renewable energy and energy storage projects, and $8.5 billion for transmission infrastructure, which includes the CopperString 2032, SuperGrid and Renewable Energy Zone transmission works. Qld Labor Premier Steven Miles' government is concentrating on renewable energy in its development of critical minerals processing and manufacturing and the battery industry, with green hydrogen production as a key to emission reductions. The government's Big Build campaign, while pushing for new "Green" technology, says that its new coal royalties will support communities with a $1000 household energy rebate from 1 July. While increasing taxes the government is strongly supporting coal mining, allowing the opening of new mines. Coal royalties of $19.9 billion make up 6.4 per cent of the Qld's total annual revenue of $311 billion. It is because of the industry's importance to the state's income that the government will not shut down the coal industry any time soon, especially as coal supplies 65 percent of the state energy sector.
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
There is no common global index on what constitutes a heat wave in South East Asia. According to ... more There is no common global index on what constitutes a heat wave in South East Asia. According to the India Meteorological Department, a heatwave means temperatures exceeding 40°C in low-lying areas, and 30°C in the mountains. The agency's Heat Index illustrates how hot the body feels when relative humidity is factored in. The Heat Index is for humans, not for animals, which are less reported in regards to the devasting impact the present heat emergency is having on them. For livestock heat waves affect productivity and health. Cows have reduced milk production and fertility issues. Pigs and poultry are particularly susceptible to heat stress, leading to decreased growth rates and higher mortality. Wildlife faces habitat disruptions and lack of water, leading to dehydration and food scarcity. Species unable to migrate to cooler areas, or to adapt quickly enough, face large population declines. Animals are often unable to cope with prolonged temperatures above 40 C°, causing heat shock and death. The present heat wave is impacting temperature changes, rainfall patterns, and environmental factors impact viable habitats, migration patterns, and the populations of many species. Wildlife is now facing threats from habitat loss and species decline, as ecosystems undergo profound changes that are leading to the loss of habitats. Many species rely on specific habitats for their food, shelter, and reproduction. A loss of habitat means species are forced to migrate to other areas for food and shelter. Animal migration is driven by temperature changes, day length, and food availability. The problem is that owing to forest clearance, due to modern farming methods and the progression of cities, migration is often not easy for populations of birds, butterflies, marine mammals and fish to migrate. Some bird species are arriving at their breeding grounds two weeks earlier than they did 30 years ago. These migration changes have wider ecological implications, that affect the interactions between species and ecosystems. The present climate crisis is forcing species, such as monkeys and snakes, to move closer to cities and farms in search of food, water and shelter. Temperatures in parts of India have hit more than 50 C°, with 56 C° in some villages. The India Meteorological Department released a severe heat wave warning for the region, after a high number of heatwave days since April. Workers must work in these deadly conditions. Women still cook outdoors despite the severe health risks involved. The heat wave, which has now broken temperature records, has forced schools to shut down across the country, with millions of children staying home. In Kolkata, a city of 15 million people, pets and strays are being hospitalised unable to handle the severe heat. There is an estimated 70,000 stray dogs living on the city's streets. In April the city reached 43 C°, the hottest single day since 1954. Gurshaan Kohli, of Humanimal Foundation, said "Scores of dogs and cats have died".
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
GUARDIAN WORKERS WEEKLY, 2024
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Papers by Graham E Holton