Over 30 years of anarchist writing from Ireland listed under hundreds of topics
Anarchism, militarism and civil war - Can you have an anarchist army? - Looking at the Makhnovist Movement
Date: Fri, 2000-01-07 11:21
AS ANARCHISTS believe the bosses will resist a revolution, it follows that we accept the need for armed force to defend the revolution. But anarchists also oppose militarism, that includes standing armies controlled by the state with officers who have special privileges like extra rations, better quarters, saluting, etc. So what alternative do anarchists propose? [Greek translation]
USA has 25% of the entire prison population of the world - 2000
Date: Fri, 2000-01-07 11:03
IN THE UNITED STATES, in February, the US Prison system incarcerated its two millionth prisoner. This means that the prison population of the USA accounts for 25% of the entire prison population of the world. This figure is even more startling when you discover that the US only accounts for 5% of the global population. The next time you hear someone sing the Star Spangled Banner you should remember that fact and consider that "land of the free and the home of the brave" is in truth neither.
Announcing the Anarchist Platform email list
Date: Fri, 2000-01-07 10:57
Regular readers of Workers Solidarity outside Ireland who find they agree with a lot of what we say and have email should consider subscribing to the Anarchist Platform email list. The announcement below which is being widely circulated on the internet explains what the list is and how to join it. (2011 Note - the information here is all out of date and presented because this announcement is of historic interest as it lead to the formation of Anarkismo.net - see the end for current links).
The consequences of the fall of the Berlin wall & Eastern European dictatorships
Date: Fri, 2000-01-07 10:46
WHAT WAS ANYONE to make of the fact that students began hanging pears from apple trees on the morning of December 20th 1990 at Bucharest University? For, early that same morning, workers were bussed from all over Romania to attend a 'spontaneous' demonstration in front of Party buildings in support of the dictator, Nicolai Ceausescu. The students at Bucharest University, aware of the real mood in the country, were satirising a famous speech made by Ceausescu to the effect that Stalinist party policy in Romania would only change when 'pears began to grow from apple trees' - the students proved to be singularly accurate with their timing.
Dreams & Realities of the internet - Hacking into Heaven
Date: Fri, 2000-01-07 10:38
SOMETHING DIED on the Internet or the wonderful wide world of the web. It's hard to know when it all happened, but the last post will be sounded for it as soon as the authorities catch and punish those responsible for hacking into the web sites of Amazon and E-Bay in February. It is most likely that they'll serve prison sentences. This appears to be the solution to all problems in the US at the moment. They shall be made an example of, and the Internet will be kept safe for business.
Issues of Workers Solidarity from 2000 - WS59, 60, 61
Date: Thu, 2000-01-06 11:44
These are the issues of the Irish anarchist paper Workers Solidarity published in the year 2000. Number 59 was the last issue that was sold, 60 was the first issue of the new style free sheet - some half a million individual copies would be produced and distributed over the decade that followed.
Anarchism in Action - the collectives in the Spanish Civil War
Date: Thu, 1999-11-25 16:32
Many people would agree that the anarchist principle "from each according to their ability, to each according to their needs" is a nice idea. A self managed society with everyone having a real say in how things were run is a lovely ideal. They might nod along to the lyrics of "Imagine" by John Lennon but then equally shake their heads and tell you that such a thing could never work "in the real world". You would probably be told that people are just naturally greedy and self-centred and such a thing would end in chaos.
'Partnership', trade unionism and anarchism
Date: Tue, 1999-11-09 00:04
As Partnership 2000 nears the end of its three year term, talks are underway by the employers' organisation IBEC, the government and the ICTU to draw up a fifth national 'partnership' agreement.
While the economy is booming and the fear of unemployment has receded in most areas, our unions are not exactly overflowing with militancy. In fact we have seen an offensive by employers. Nobody needs reminding about Ryanair.
Life in Northern Ireland - The more things change, the more they stay the same
Date: Mon, 1999-10-11 15:08
AS THIS ARTICLE is being written, George Mitchell has flown in to Belfast and begun a round of meetings with political parties in the North in a supposed "review" of the Good Friday Agreement. Needless to say this "review" is unlikely to address any of the fundamental flaws in that agreement. Nor are we likely to witness an outbreak of concern for the working class people of the 6 Counties from any of the participants in this review.
Irish Workers Worth Double Their Wages Says Employers' Study
Date: Mon, 1999-10-11 14:49
IRISH WORKERS are undervalued by 50% according to an international study published earlier this year. By comparing wages and productivity in 28 different types of job throughout all 15 European Union countries it found only Portuguese workers did more and received less.