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04 red pepper aug | sep 2009

03 EditorialMichael Calderbank

06 Leters Agony Subcomandauntie

08 PlatitudesThe world according to Steve Platt

26 Asylum watchLosing the plot

45 Know your enemyEnding the vulture culture

54 Under the radarThis is what democracy looks like

58 Mike MarquseIn praise of the draw

66 BoktopiaJames O’Nions

67 RearviewPrisoner of colours

60 Class and conflict at he seasideHistorian John Walton takes a look at the

social forces that have shaped the development of the British seaside resort

64 Shopocalypse NowConsumerism is like a fundamentalist

religion, says Reverend Billy of the Church of Life After Shopping. Sophie McAdam catches up with him

ON THE WEB Where next for Red Peper? Hilary Wainwright reports back from readers’ meetings around the country A tribute to John Saville by Willie Thompson 10  It’s no sacrifice When Dave Nellist was a Labour MP, he only took the

wage of an average worker. He spoke to Red Pepper about his experience

12 Vote for a ChangeWillie Sullivan, Salma Yaqob, Peter Tatchell

and Mark Serwotka argue that the only way to build a credible left is to change the voting system

16 What is democracy for?Democracy has been eroded under a system that

marginalises the majority, says Neal Lawson

18 ESAY: Seizing the momentWe should not assume there is a ‘golden opportunity’

for constitutional reform, writes Stuart Weir – but the door is half open

38 Iran: The people reloadedIran’s post-election protests are part of a new politics of

revolt, say Morad Farhadpour and Omid Mehrgan

42 Peru: An indigenous RubiconThe indigenous struggle against polluting industries

in Peru reminds us what dealing with climate change is really about, writes Joanna Cabello

21 Striking backIncreasing outbreaks of strike action signify growing

political unrest in Britain. How far will the rebellion spread? Peter Lazenby reports

24 Puting the cart before the horseWhat relevance to the contemporary world of work

does the TUC now have? By Gregor Gall

28 Europe’s far ight risesHow much support are fascists and racists really picking

up across the continent? Tom Walker investigates

33 DEBATE: Anti-fascism isn’t working‘Anti-fascist’ campaigning has failed to stop the BNP,

argues Keiron Farrow. Paul Meszaros and Paul White respond

32 Gren D-Day?The Greens did well in France in June’s elections. But

elsewhere, the party’s participation in government hit it hard. Leigh Phillips reports

46 A different angleLeo Panitch pays tribute to Peter Gowan’s contribution

to the left’s understanding of globalisation, imperialism and more

48 Unsocial workMichael Lavalette and Ian MacDonald call for an

end to the scapegoating of social workers

51 Policing the policeCampaigners need to radically rethink their approach to

policing in Britain, writes Kevin Blowe

Cover I llustration

aug | sep 2009 red pepper 05Tom Lynton www.tomlynton.com