The article criticizes a recent U.S. government partnership with private companies to build $80 billion worth of nuclear reactors, highlighting concerns about government involvement and ownership stakes that resemble socialist or Chinese-style practices, with the government funding, selecting, and gaining ownership in the private nuclear company Westinghouse.
Americans' positive view of capitalism has declined to 54%, the lowest Gallup has recorded, while perceptions of socialism remain steady at 39%. Democrats are more favorable towards socialism than capitalism, with over two-thirds viewing socialism positively, contrasting with Republicans who overwhelmingly favor capitalism. Overall, Americans are more positive about small business and free enterprise than big business, which has seen a decline in positive ratings across all groups. Despite skepticism towards socialism, Democratic officials continue to advocate for expanded government roles in the economy.
Zohran Mamdani's leading campaign for New York City mayor is causing concern among moderate Democrats who fear his far-left policies could harm their efforts to regain power nationally, with Republicans leveraging his stance to attack Democrats and DSA-backed candidates planning primary challenges, complicating the party's strategy ahead of upcoming elections.
Bolivians are voting in a pivotal election that could end nearly 20 years of leftist rule by Mas, amid economic turmoil and a fragmented political landscape, with the outcome potentially leading to a significant shift in power and policy.
At the Davos World Economic Forum, Argentina's President Javier Milei warned that the Western world is in danger due to the embrace of socialism, while Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts criticized the attendees for being part of the problem. Former President Trump found support from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who praised Trump's handling of the economy and China. Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman expressed doubts about the Biden administration's approach to various issues and its ability to handle a second term, while Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cautioned against alienating populist voters. Open Society Foundations Chairman Alex Soros criticized the "Davos consensus" and discussed the potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency.
Argentina's president, Javier Milei, criticized global elites at the World Economic Forum for promoting a socialist agenda that he believes leads to poverty, advocating for free enterprise capitalism as the solution. His outspoken speech garnered praise from conservatives and went viral on social media. Milei, known for his plans to reform Argentina's economy, also met with the IMF chief to discuss the country's economic crisis and its IMF program.
Argentine President Javier Milei garnered praise for his speech at the World Economic Forum, where he criticized Western elites for embracing collectivism over freedom, warning that it leads to socialism and poverty. His message resonated with conservatives on social media, who lauded him for confronting leftist elites. Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist, was elected based on his commitment to reducing government spending and advocating for individual freedom.
Argentinian President Javier Milei warned attendees at the World Economic Forum to reject socialism and embrace free enterprise capitalism, stating that the Western world is in danger due to the co-opting of values that lead to socialism and poverty. Milei, known for his anarcho-capitalist platform, emphasized the need to stand up to overreaching governments and called for major economic reforms at home, while also seeking international backing for his ideas.
Argentina's President Javier Milei, a self-described "anarcho-capitalist," urged business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos to reject socialism and embrace "free enterprise capitalism" to combat world poverty. He criticized the Western world for being co-opted by a vision leading to socialism and poverty, advocating for freedom and warning against collectivist experiments. Milei's trip to Davos marked his first overseas tour since taking office, and he proposed "shock therapy" measures including dollarizing the economy and privatizing the pension system to address Argentina's profound economic crisis.
The ongoing strikes led by United Auto Workers (UAW) president Shawn Fain, which have cost the US economy $7.7 billion, are being advised by career socialist activists who prioritize keeping the auto industry "wounded for months." Fain's advisors, who lack experience on factory floors or as UAW members, have been criticized for their radical approach and alleged disregard for workers' best interests. The strikes, involving over 30,000 workers across major automakers, have raised concerns among union members about the potential harm caused by Fain's war of attrition. Fain's de-facto chief of staff, Chris Brooks, and other socialist activists are believed to be the masterminds behind the strike strategy.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is putting a foreign policy twist on her Iowa campaigning, emphasizing her experience and ideas on issues such as China, agriculture, and socialism. Haley aims to project strength and rise above domestic political squabbles, although voters may be more focused on domestic issues like inflation, abortion, and crime. Despite this, Haley wants voters to associate her with foreign policy when they think of her.
Jacobin presents a socialist summer reading list that includes heavy tomes such as Enver Hoxha's memoirs and Doris Lessing's The Golden Notebook, along with a Napoleonic narrative and a trilogy on the civil rights movement. The list aims to provide rewarding literary delights for those interested in socialism and leftist literature, with a touch of commodity fetishism.
Florida Senator Rick Scott's 35-second "travel warning" video urging socialists, communists, and believers in "big government" to think twice about traveling or moving to Florida has generated a whirlwind of mockery and criticism. The video, viewed 23.3 million times on Twitter, drew comments highlighting Scott's past controversies and questioning his sincerity. While Scott's team used the video to fundraise, critics pointed out the irony of him urging people to take their money away from Florida. The video was a sarcastic response to recent travel advisories issued by groups like the NAACP, but Scott's deadpan delivery left no hint of sarcasm.
Italian consumer rights group, Assoutenti, has called for a consumer "pasta strike" for fifteen days, blaming corporate profiteering for the surge in pasta prices, despite wheat prices being down significantly. This echoes a successful effort in 1914 by the Providence, Rhode Island Italian Socialist Club to resist price gouging by the "Macaroni King" Frank Ventrone. The lesson is that prices and inflation are not mechanical forces of nature, but always the outcome of multiple social forces, and that collective bargaining through a socialist organization tempered the monopoly power of a local retailer, bringing prices closer to the "competitive price."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a secret order to local authorities that would ban suicides after data showed numbers skyrocketing. Kim called suicide an "act of treason against socialism" in the directive and stated that local government officials would be held jointly accountable for failing to prevent people from killing themselves in their jurisdiction. The exact number of suicides in North Korea is difficult to ascertain, but the South Korean National Intelligence Service estimated in May that suicides had increased by about 40% from the previous year.