Confronting Chaos / Confrontando el Caos / Enfrentando o Caos / Affronter le Chaos
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Reading Piketty I: A Concise and Comprehensive Summary of Capital and Ideology
By: Walden Bello In this summary, Walden Bello distills the key ideas and data contained in Thomas Piketty’s monumental work Capital and Ideology. The French economist deserves to be read by more people, but many have neither the time nor energy to work through this sprawling 1,042-page classic. This short volume is motivated by the conviction that Piketty cannot be left to specialists in social … Continue reading Reading Piketty I: A Concise and Comprehensive Summary of Capital and Ideology
Systemic Transitions
By Pablo Solón[1]
[Español, Italian] The following proposals[2] seek to motivate reflections on how to deal with the systemic crises. These are ideas that arose from a South American and in particular, a Bolivian context.
1) We must rethink the processes of transitions based on the systemic crises that the Earth community is now experiencing. Although there is no doubt that the ecological and climate crises are the most relevant because they put at risk the continuity of life as we know it, transitions must be multidimensional and inclusive of our relationships with nature, our daily behavior patterns, the State and the political system, the economy, the social, the spiritual, energy, international relations and ethics.
Continue reading “Systemic Transitions”
Why Lucho & David won the Bolivian elections
By Pablo Solón
[Version en Español] The Movement towards Socialism (MAS in Spanish) has won the Bolivian elections in the first round this October 2020. Two exit polls (by Ciesmori and Tu Voto Cuenta) based on different samples concluded that Luis (“Lucho”) Arce and David Choquehuanca had obtained more than 50% of the votes, with a lead of more than 20% over the second place candidate, Carlos Mesa of Citizens Community (CC). We await the results of the official count that will be available on Wednesday or Thursday, but don’t expect a substantive change in the trend of the results of these two exit polls.
Why did Lucho and David won?
Continue reading “Why Lucho & David won the Bolivian elections”
¿Una nueva crisis? Reflecting Upon MAS’ Legacy and the Future of Bolivia
A dialog between Linda Farthing -journalist and researcher who has co-authored three books on Bolivia-, Pablo Solón -social and environmental activist and former ambassador for the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the United Nations (2009-June 2011)-, and Bret Gustafson (Moderator) author of two books on Bolivia, most recently Bolivia in the Age of Gas.
Continue reading “¿Una nueva crisis? Reflecting Upon MAS’ Legacy and the Future of Bolivia”
How do we avoid the fate of the dinosaurs?
[Español] Pablo Solón: We are here in a new dialogue of systemic reflections, and this time, with Walden Bello who is a very well known sociologist from the Philippines, author of many books, his most recent book: “Counterrevolution: The Global Rise of the Far Right”. Walden was the Executive Director of Focus on the Global South a think-tank in Southeast Asia, and now he is … Continue reading How do we avoid the fate of the dinosaurs?
Global Dialogue for Systemic Change
(Español/Français) (download pdf file) We are living in an unprecedented global crisis that requires a deep reflection, rethinking and dialogue among activists, organizations and social movements around the world. Critical strategies are essential, to deal with the current crises and to shape what comes next. More than ever we need to share analysis, experiences, ideas and alternatives, in the face of growing health, social, economic, … Continue reading Global Dialogue for Systemic Change
Liberating labor to heal the world
Thomas Coutrot (Español/Français) Every morning, millions of workers wake up and go to work to produce, use or sell something contributing to destroying life on earth, and this work makes them ill. Whether in the automobile or ship-building industries, or the electrical, chemical, oil and food ones, finance, agriculture, computer science, civil engineering, advertising or research, capital needs the active engagement of employees in all … Continue reading Liberating labor to heal the world
Will the coronavirus end capitalism?
Xavier Ricard Lanata: The dilemmas of the reconfiguration of capitalism The crisis of globalization comes from 2008. Commercial exchanges have been declining. There was a contraction process that predated the virus. Now the virus has aggravated this situation. What is going to happen? Those who are creditors of capital will look for ways to increase the value of it at any cost. In the northern … Continue reading Will the coronavirus end capitalism?
In memoriam ‒ Martin Khor
By Yilmaz Akyüz and Richard Kozul-Wright
– We are greatly saddened by the passing of Martin Khor, a long-time friend and colleague, an undaunted fighter for the poor and underprivileged, a passionate believer in a more balanced and inclusive multilateralism, a rare intellectual and eloquent orator, an icon of the Global South worthy of veneration, greatly respected for his struggle for justice and fairness against the dominance and double-standards of big economic powers. Continue reading “In memoriam ‒ Martin Khor”
The new frontiers of democracy
Christophe Aguiton
(Español/ Français)To talk about “systemic alternatives” means to address concepts or experiences that result from real social practices which emerged either recently or in the past, and which question, partially or entirely, the current system of domination. In this way we have to examine the ways in which these alternatives are managed, that is, the democratic models that ensure their regulation. Continue reading “The new frontiers of democracy”
Coronavirus and the Death of ‘Connectivity’
Walden Bello*,
The Great Recession could have killed globalization, but China emerged as the champion of a new global “connectivity.” With the coronavirus, that phase is finished.
Continue reading “Coronavirus and the Death of ‘Connectivity’”
Evo’s questions*
By Pablo Solón
[Español, français] Saturday, the night of November 24. Any resemblance to reality is pure coincidence. A series of questions pass through Evo’s mind as he reads the law that just passed unanimously in the Senators and Deputies chamber:
Why did they not consider my resignation letter in the Legislative Assembly? Does my party not have more than two thirds in the parliament? How can they unanimously approve, together with the coup plotters, a law to annul the elections of October 20, and call to new elections? Why did they not follow the path to reject my resignation and thus make it clear to the world that there are two governments, one fascist and racist coup, and another legitimate and indigenous ready to return to Bolivia? Do they not realize that by not discussing my resignation letter they are admitting that I abandoned my duties and that is why Añez proclaimed herself President? Continue reading “Evo’s questions*”
Counterrevolution The Global Rise of the Far Right
By Walden Bello The far right is on the rise. The rhetoric of anger and resentment is emanating from personalities like Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, Rodrigo Duterte and Viktor Orban and is captivating and mobilizing large numbers of people. In an increasing number of countries, the extreme right has already captured the government or is on the threshold of power. While this swift turn … Continue reading Counterrevolution The Global Rise of the Far Right
Paper Dragons: China and the Next Crash
Comments of Walden Bello on his new book, “Paper Dragons: China and the Next Crash” Why China might be the trigger of the next global financial crisis is the subject of the first event in my book tour at Sciences Po in Paris, with Prof Cornelia Woll and Victor Mallet, Paris bureau chief of the Financial Times, serving as commentators. Sept 19, 2019. Brief Remarks … Continue reading Paper Dragons: China and the Next Crash
Evo Morales: the fall of the hero of the Bolivian transformation
Evo Morales’ achievements in Bolivia should be remembered forever – but the left must also learn from his mistakes. By: Nick Dearden Originally published by Opendemocracy, with permission from the author The resignation of Bolivian president Evo Morales brings to an end an incredible era in Bolivia’s history. Morales, a one-time coca farmer, and the first indigenous president of the country, came to power on … Continue reading Evo Morales: the fall of the hero of the Bolivian transformation
What happened in Bolivia? Was there a coup?
By: Pablo Solón [version en español – version française] Evo Morales could have finished his third electoral mandate on the 22 January 2020 as a very popular president and the possibility of running for – and even winning – the 2024 elections, if he had not forced through his re-election for a fourth term. As the President of Bolivia, he a) did not recognise the … Continue reading What happened in Bolivia? Was there a coup?
A Dignified Death for the WSF A Contribution to the GTI Forum: Farewell to the WSF?
Pablo Solón and Mary Louise Malig October 2019 In life, everything has a cycle: a beginning, a middle, and an end. And what a beginning it was for the World Social Forum. The year was 2001, the emblematic success of the 1999 Seattle protests against the World Trade Organization (WTO) inspired so many, not only because they shut down the Seattle WTO Ministerial, but also … Continue reading A Dignified Death for the WSF A Contribution to the GTI Forum: Farewell to the WSF?
The angels of Chaparina
Pablo Solón
Who gave the order for the intervention of the indigenous march in Chaparina? Sacha Llorenti stomps “Eh, eh“. He answers with a slight smile “on that subject, the answer must be given by justice.”
Tear gas start to rain over the improvised camp built in Chaparina. Confusion, fear and anger take over the marchers who had been walking to the city of La Paz for 41 days, in rejection of the construction of the road that will divide the Isiboro Sécure National Park and the National Territory (TIPNIS) into two. Attack, fire! It’s 5:20 pm on September 25, 2011. Continue reading “The angels of Chaparina”
Free Trade first: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation will be convening governments and business to discuss trade and economic integration in Chile right before the Climate Summit
By: Mary Louise Malig* [en español] After the massive mobilizations and climate strikes that took place in numerous cities around the planet, with an estimate of more than six million people participating, many are now turning their attention to the coming United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference or COP 25 for short. COP 25 will be help in Santiago, Chile from December 2-13, 2019 … Continue reading Free Trade first: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation will be convening governments and business to discuss trade and economic integration in Chile right before the Climate Summit
Systemic Alternatives 
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