The government wants to be able to bypass parliament in peacetime and enact laws on its own in times of “crisis”. It is said to be about preparedness – but resembles dangerous emergency laws that have historically led to abuse of power. The government’s proposal for emergency laws thus echoes worryingly with history. It was precisely such “temporary powers” that enabled the Nazis to seize power in Germany in 1933 – after…
Category: Democracy
Freedom, work, housing and social mobility now
Indeed, the Social Democrats must deliver freedom, work, housing and social mobility – not just manage neoliberalism, say three Social Democrats. So I say that we need a systemic shift back to welfare with a humane refugee policy, labor immigration to shortage occupations, improved pensions, a green transition, free dental care, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, restored social insurance, etc. There is rumbling among the grassroots For people is…
The crisis of hyperglobalization – and the path to a new green Bretton Woods
The crisis of hyperglobalization finally arrived. For several decades, the world had been governed by one idea: that more trade, more deregulation and more global capital mobility would automatically lead to prosperity. In the report “Out of the Ashes into the Fire,” Stefan de Vylder calls the period from 1980 to 2016 the era of hyperglobalization – an era in which the economy became increasingly…
Saving the world starts with local protests
How do we save democracy, world peace, the climate and nature? Democracy wins the people and vulnerable groups through local protests historically. If they are of sufficient public interest, they spread. Today's capital is built on fragile international systems such as just-in-time. These are very sensitive to disruptions. If local protests spread, this could have a major effect. Could red-green…
Nobel Prize on Power and Progress
An ideology in power that favors workers must guide technological development. It determines whether we get a fairer world. Technological progress has not always meant better working conditions or higher wages for everyone. We need to develop innovations that help workers become better at their tasks, not just replace them with automation. Then the technology would…
The worst consequences of neoliberalism - from economic to social disaster
The consequences of neoliberalism are profound and devastating. From greedflation and right-wing extremism to the risk of global war and climate catastrophe, this ideology undermines society's stability, health and future. Economic inequality and reduced democratic rights threaten future social cohesion and global peace. Greedflation after 2020 Companies raise prices well above their cost increases to maximize profits. This phenomenon,…
The danger of misinformation on Twitter
Is it "nonsense" for Elon Musk to spread false information on X (formerly Twitter), especially when he has so many followers? In one specific case, Musk shared a false report that FEMA was blocking aid shipments related to storms in Florida. This plays into a broader "deep state" conspiracy theory, which Trump and his…
Defend democracy and progressivity in the 2024 EU elections
THE LAST DAY TO VOTE IS JUNE 9. Democracy at Games The 2024 EU elections offer an opportunity to influence Europe's future. The red-green parties, such as the Social Democrats, the Left Party and the Green Party, stand for democracy, human rights, more equality and a more humane asylum policy. The left party also wants to change EU rules so that apartment rents in Sweden can fall. To vote for…
Piketty, Capital and the Ideology of Inequality
Thomas Piketty's "Capital in the Twenty-First Century" Summary of contents: Thomas Piketty's book "Capital in the Twenty-First Century" examines economic inequality throughout history and up to the present day. Piketty uses extensive historical data to analyze wealth distribution and income inequality, focusing on how capital and labor income have developed over time. Main thesis: Piketty argues that the world…
RFK is problematic
RFK is problematic. Trump has influenced RFK Jr.'s campaign. New data suggests strong ties between RFK Junior's campaign and Trump, possibly to divert votes from Biden. Rita Palma, RFK Junior's New York state director, openly said that having Kennedy on the ballot could undermine Biden's chances, favoring Trump in the historically Democratic state….