4 December 2008

In bid for loans, Detroit auto makers outline plans for drastic downsizing

By Jerry White, 4 December 2008

The CEOs of Detroit’s Big Three auto companies are appearing before the Senate Banking Committee today to present plans for downsizing the US auto industry and slashing workers’ wages and benefits as they seek federal loans to avert bankruptcy.

Layoffs soar as US plunges deeper into recession

By Barry Grey, 4 December 2008

New economic reports show that the severity of the US recession and the speed with which it is developing are greater than anticipated by economists and business forecasters. Data released Wednesday reveal a sharp rise in layoffs in virtually every sector of the economy.

Security agreements mean Iraq occupation will continue to 2012 and beyond

By James Cogan, 4 December 2008

The Iraqi parliament’s ratification of a status of forces agreement and “Strategic Framework” with the US on November 27 ensures the ongoing occupation of the country and formalises its status as a US client state.

Republican wins Georgia Senate race as Obama lies low

By Patrick Martin, 4 December 2008

Saxby Chambliss, a conservative Republican from Georgia, retained his US Senate seat in a runoff election Tuesday. The most important feature of the Georgia contest was the apparent decision by president-elect Obama to intervene as little as possible.

Australian economy on edge of recession

By Linda Levin, 4 December 2008

National accounts figures released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics demonstrated that the economy was already on the brink of recession in the September 2008 quarter—even before the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the ensuing global financial meltdown.

The tragic death of Baby P

By Julie Hyland, 4 December 2008

There have been mountains of coverage on Baby P’s death, much of it bordering on the pornographic. But if other children are to have the protection they require, there has to be some comprehension of what went wrong, how, and why.

New in German

Bayerische Landesbank streicht nach Milliardenhilfen Tausende Arbeitsplätze

Von Markus Salzmann, 4. Dezember 2008

Die Steuergelder für die BayernLB sind an Konsolidierungsmaßnahmen gebunden, die sich direkt gegen die Beschäftigten richten. Von den weltweit rund 19.200 Stellen sollen insgesamt 5.600 wegfallen

China: Präsident Hu bereist amerikanischen Hinterhof

Von John Chan, 4. Dezember 2008

Der Besuch des chinesischen Präsidenten Hu Jintao in Costa Rica und Kuba und seine Teilnahme am APEC-Gipfel in Peru zeigten Pekings selbstbewusstes wirtschaftliches und diplomatisches Engagement in Lateinamerika.

Marineeinheiten vor Somalia werden verstärkt

Von John Smith und Chris Talbot, 4. Dezember 2008

Die zunehmende Militarisierung der ölreichen Gegend ist eine große Gefahr für die Völker der Region und der ganzen Welt. Gegenwärtig operieren vor der Küste Somalias Kriegsschiffe aus Großbritannien, Frankreich, Deutschland, Indien, Malaysia, Russland und den Vereinigten Staaten

New in French

Qui est Paul Volcker ? Obama choisit un ennemi de longue date de la classe ouvrière

Par Patrick Martin, 4 décembre 2008

Le choix de Volcker, ennemi invétéré de la classe ouvrière, pour superviser la politique de stabilisation des marchés financiers démontre le caractère de classe de la nouvelle administration Obama.

Perspective

Washington exploits Mumbai attack to promote “war on terror”

4 December 2008

It is apparent that Washington sees in the Mumbai events an opportunity to bully Pakistan into more effectively doing its bidding in support of the war in Afghanistan, or, should that fail, to justify the escalation of its own intervention.

Earlier Perspectives »

Arts Review

David KingUncovering the truth about Trotsky and the Russian Revolution “continues to run my life”
A conversation with the remarkable David King

By David Walsh, 4 December 2008

David King—artist, designer, editor, photohistorian and archivist—is about to publish a new book, Red Star Over Russia, a visual history of the Soviet Union. WSWS arts editor David Walsh recently spoke to King in London.

Socialist Equality Party (Canada)

Canada’s “putsch”: Oppose Conservative power-grab! No support to Liberal-NDP coalition!

By Keith Jones, 4 December 2008

Canada’s Conservative government is preparing to cling to power illegally, unleashing a constitutional crisis and inciting anti-Quebec chauvinism. In opposing the Conservatives’ attempt to retain power, working people must give no political support to the proposed Liberal-NDP coalition government.

History

Leon Trotsky, Soviet Historiography, and the Fate of Classical Marxism

By David North, 1 December 2008

This paper was presented by David North at a panel on “The Intellectual and Political Legacy of Leon Trotsky” at the recent 2008 National Convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies in Philadelphia.

Correspondence

Letters from our readers

4 December 2008

A selection of letters sent to the World Socialist Web Site.

Other Languages