Bad Marx for capitalism?
Written by Steven Schwartz on October 23rd, 2008
Karl Marx is back in fashion. Sales of Das Kapital are booming as the “world realizes” it was in this book that Marx predicted capitalism would destroy itself.
According to German publisher Jörn Schütrumpf these new readers are “those of a young academic generation, who have come to recognise that the neoliberal promises of happiness have […]
Tough times, resilient people
Written by Steven Schwartz on September 30th, 2008
“Cognitive dissonance” is a phrase used by psychologists to describe the discomfort you feel when new information challenges long held beliefs. The American historian Gertrude Himmelfarb has a slightly different take, describing it as “the discrepancy between reality and ideology that only truly learned and clever people can achieve”. (‘A dark and bloody crossroads’, The […]
Let’s make sure democracy is not a fleeting thing
Written by Steven Schwartz on August 21st, 2008
Last night, a celebration took place. It was designed to commemorate the centenary of an event, which, at the time, captured the attention of Australia.
One hundred years ago this week, American battle ships steamed passed South Head on their way into Sydney Harbour. The 16 vessels, belching steam and glistening in the sun, filled the […]