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News & Views by Terry Bell
Browsing All posts tagged under »politics«
Time to focus on Gross Domestic Benefit
Unless there is some radical change, an estimated 71 million unemployed youth will be the forerunners of what may turn out to be the first of discarded generations of the future. Perhaps it is time to stop focusing on growth — on GDP — and instead target GDB (Gross Domestic — and international — Benefit).
Prediction, the EFF & fascism
June 6, 2018
In the light of a series of actions and the very recent controversy regarding statements made by the Economic Freedom Fighters, along with earlier EFF statements in similar vein, is it accurately to assume that a home grown fascism is emerging? The red trappings of socialism, at root internationalist and extremely democratic, have been assumed by what seems increasingly to be an ethnic nationalist movement that is headed by a Commander-in-Chief. And authoritarian nationalism, with a dash of socialist rhetoric is, in essence, fascist.
Minimum wage, innovation & persecution
June 2, 2018
By the time — perhaps a year down the line — that South Africa's minimum wage legislation is passed, inflation would have caused the cost of living, especially for lower paid workers, to rise substantially. In any event, the claim that the the minimum wage is R3,500 a month and will improve the lot of more than 6 million workers is an illusion.
The need to talk about Marxism
May 21, 2018
The ideas of Karl Marx have, in one way or other, had the greatest influence on trade union and labour movement internationally. But these ideas have been more distorted and lied about than those of any other social theorist. What, in fact, does Marxism actually mean?
Still none so blind…..
May 18, 2018
Economic growth remains the mantra across the board as the economic crisis staggers on. This, despite all the evidence that the drive for economic growth is part of the problem and not any form of solution.
Farm wages, workers & common interests
May 13, 2018
We are all trapped in an economic system which, if its demands were judged by human standards, would almost certainly be regarded as criminally insane. Government, perhaps encouraged by the unions, could take steps to introduce an element of stability and fairness to those who suffer most in this global asylum. This could be a step forward to dealing with the lunacy itself.
The democratic centralist curse
April 30, 2018
Democratic centralism is one of the most abused concepts within the South African political and labour arena. It has come to the fore again in debates around the strike protesting a proposed minimum wage and amendments to the labour laws. Hopefully, such debate will lead to the democratic reforms needed in much of the labour movement.
Terry Bell Writes 
June 17, 2018
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