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An end to guilt and shame

In Sunday’s election in Germany a new party, Alternatives for Germany, broke through the established power structure to become the second strongest force in parliament. A key factor in its success was a call to overcome the postwar guilt and shame that have been predominant in the country. For many years these were a necessary reckoning with past atrocities, but this burden of blame has increasingly lamed the country and become a handicap to its progress. Leaving it behind is part of a gradual evolution that has been going on since the 1990s.

Is Fascism on the Rise in Germany?

The German establishment is in crisis. Is has ruled for 80 years by charting a middle course between progressive and conservative policies. Labor and business have cooperated to achieve social and economic stability. But that consensus isn’t functioning anymore. The standard of living is declining, crime is increasing, fear and anger infect social discourse. Nothing the mainstream political parties have done has improved the situation.

Pure Voluntary Exchange

The apologists for capitalism face a fundamental dilemma in their definition.

Labour rights in Poland are under serious threat.

PKP Cargo S.A., one of the largest rail freight transport companies in the country, is undergoing restructuring and blatantly violating the laws, standards, and rights that protect trade union activity in Poland.

China National Day: Celebrating 75 Years

On October 1st, 1949 the the People's Republic of China was proclaimed, making this year the 75th anniversary of its founding. It followed decades of civil war, the invasion from Imperial Japan, several internal conflicts involving regional warlords, and over a hundred years of being subservient through unequal treaties imposed by Western powers. To establish a central government under such circumstances was an impressive achievement in its own right. As Mao Zedong said at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference several days before

Corporatism as State Capitalism

By Pyotr Malatesta

If corporatism is statist capitalism, then the current distribution of political entitlements (private property) that developed under statist capitalism is part and parcel of the statist system.

If the current system is invalid, then the current distribution of political entitlements that developed due to that system is invalid.

Money Rations Freedom

By Pyotr Malatesta

Under capitalism, money serves as a rationing system for freedom in the market economy. Money, as a form of social power, dictates access to resources and opportunities, thereby rationing freedom. The disparities in financial resources lead to unequal access to freedom, creating a system where the wealthy have more social and economic power. This dynamic effectively controls the distribution of freedom, perpetuating inequalities and limiting the potential for a truly free and equal society.

Prices are Prices is Vacuous

Draft by Pyotr Malatesta

Kenya: Respect health workers' rights

In partnership with the Kenyan Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and Public Services International, a Global Union Federation of more than 700 trade unions representing 30 million workers in 154 countries.

Reason Australia Closing Down

From Fiona Patten

As many of you now know, the members voted at the AGM to wind up Reason Australia and Reason Victoria. This is a bittersweet letter to write.

It doesn’t feel like fifteen years ago that the idea to form a small political party to champion civil and personal rights took shape. Many of you will know that it happened around my kitchen table one evening in 2009. (page 235 of my book!) We were elected in 2014 and in 2016 evolved into Reason.

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