The World is in an uproar in a new way.  Yes, things have been much worse many times before, but we are facing a new situation.

1] Even in London some people are thinking about perhaps organising some sort of Democratic response to alienation, oppression and exploitation.  Even in London anti-democratic, authoritarian clique-ists are putting on a democratic mask.

2] Globalised “free market” capitalism is facing multiple crises.  The financial crises appears to be under control, however finance actually is based upon the economy and the economy is beginning to tank.  Yes, beginning.  The economic downturn did not become serious until the 4th quarter of 2008.  This quarter expect to see lay-offs increase dramatically.  By this time next year people will be talking depression not downturn.  Of course the economy will never recover.  Get used to it.  Finally, a fiscal crisis is just starting.  Forty four states in the U.S. are now running deficits.  Although the federal government in the U.S. can seemingly run up massive debts the States have trouble selling debt.  They are up against the wall.  New York’s fiscal year begins April 1st.  Their revenue is falling rapidly and their costs are rising.  California is in even worse shape.  Their fiscal year begins July 1st.

The U.K., Ireland, Spain and a few other countries are in worse shape than the U.S.  As social and economic conditions of working people deteriorate political views become more radical.

3] The situation in Gaza (7th January) has become intolerable.  Governments throughout the Middle East and Europe, no matter how much they dislike Hamas and the PFLP are pressuring Israel to stop.  Egypt, Turkey and France are crying for a truce.  Every day that goes by increases the hatred that those peoples have for their governments.  Israel is hastening the overthrow of several anti-popular Arab regimes.  The destruction of Gaza will be very expensive, politically, for Israel.  The longer this incident goes on for, the more isolated Israel will be and the more vulnerable the anti-popular governments in the region will become.

4] On January 1st transit police in California shot a black man in the back and killed him.  This was done a point blank range.  He was lying on the ground face down at the time.  A video was made of the incident by a witness.  It is very clear.  There is no doubt.  There was no riot, unlike in Athens when a similar event occurred.

On the other hand on the night of Dec 31st over 1,100 cars were burnt in France.  What we see here is a radicalisation of the youth in Europe.  This is a point which should be followed closely.  A small shift in popular voting patterns in many Western European states will result in the new governments distancing themselves from U.S. hegemonic projects.

5] Revolutionary forces are continuing to grow in strength and influence both in Latin America and in Asia.  Two revolutionary models are making headway.  In Asia, the model of protected people’s war has been with us for decades and now appears to be assuming greater importance as the economies of the region deteriorate.  In both Asia and Latin America a model more closely aligned with the urban working class and its allies is also becoming more prominent.  Once again, as the promise of a better future under globalised  neo-liberalism proves to be a mirage: people are turning to Marxism-Leninism in both its urban and rural flavours.

Summing up:

Hopefully, throughout 2009 these trends will be reported on in Iconoclast.  From time to time, with any luck, this project will not merely move forward, but will help folks to understand the social-economic forces driving today’s political-economy.