red pepper issue150 march 2007

contents

features

Sharing the burden 19New taxes are needed to meet the costs of an ageing society, says Robin Blackburn – and a share levy on profits is a good option

The struggle for Europe’s soul 20The European Union marks its 50th birthday with no solution in sight to revive the stalled Constitutional Treaty. But with new proposals to further liberalise markets, it is too soon for the left to celebrate, argues Oscar Reyes

Cover by Tom Lynton www.tomlynton.com

regulars 04Letters Agony Subcomandauntie

06Activision Around the left in 30 days: UK & World Labour: Will Gordon Brown make any difference? Guerrilla guides: How to disappear in the UK Asylum Watch: The Bill of no rights Red Hot: Wedge Card

12World Round The Left World WSF:Lessons from Nairobi Natural Born Rebel: A Peoples’ Parliamentarian Bolivia: Different kinds of democracy Lebanon: Pouring oil on the fire

Look to Trondheim 24With privatisation failing to deliver good quality public services, what are the alternatives to ‘there is no alternative’? From workers’ initiatives in Norway and Newcastle to citizen-led participatory budgeting in Italy and Spain, Mathew Little goes in search of innovative public sector reforms in Europe

Outposts of empire 27The US has up to 1,000 bases in more than 130 countries. Wilbert van der Zeijden reports on the global military network underpinning the world’s only superpower

Unfinished business 30The legacy of slavery still casts a long shadow. Deborah Gabriel makes the case for reparations

Organising women from past to present Invitation to the London Organisers Network International Women’s Day event Great music, food, dance – all free – bring a friend

8 March 2007, 7pm till 12pm The Rugby Tavern, 19 Great James Street, London WC1N

Guest speakers include: Sharon Graham, Head of organising, TGWU, Mary Davis, women’s committee, TUC and Julie Camacho, Latin American Workers Association

All welcome (men included) To confirm attendance contact:j.holgate@londonmet.ac.uk

38Infrared Banged up Britain

39Rear view Kijijivision World Photography

review 32Fluffy political animal unleashed Sioux Bradshaw delivers a powerful political message by stealth, writes Sarah Irving

34Book reviews Arts reviews

coming soon Special issue:The death of social housing? Nigel Harris on migrant labour in a globalised world War plan Iran: can it be stopped? Eurotopia: the state of privatisation in Europe on the web Sellout! Iraq’s new corporate-friendly oil law Winning abortion rights: a view from the Portuguese feminist left

march 2007 red pepper

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