Solidarity, Author at Solidarity (Ireland)

Did Lenin lead to Stalin?

By Manus Lenihan The Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Lenin, died on 21 January 1924 – 100 years ago today. The party he led, known as the Bolsheviks and later the Communist Party, led the working class to

Jan 21, 2024

Leon Trotsky on Lenin’s life and legacy

The Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Lenin, died on 21 January 1924 — 100 years ago. The party he led, known as the Bolsheviks and later the Communist Party, took power in the October Revolution of 1917, the

Jan 21, 2024

News & Analysis·Workplace News

Showing how to get results – Unite mechanical workers win big pay rise

By Matt Waine In early December, mechanical workers (plumbers, fitters and welders) who are members of Unite voted to accept a pay increase worth 9.9% over two years. This will see the basic rate for mechanical workers increase from €26.32/hour to over

Jan 18, 2024

News & Analysis·The North

Will Stormont be restored?

By Kevin Henry It is now almost two years since the DUP pulled out of the Executive ahead of the Assembly elections, which saw Sinn Féin become the largest party. Last year ended with a renewed sense that the institutions could be

Jan 17, 2024

Theory & History

The Zhenotdel: Russian Revolution’s socialist feminism – lessons for fighting oppression today

This article by Saana Taussi explores the work of Zhenotdel, the women’s department of the central committee of the Russian Communist Party, and the lessons we can draw from their work in fighting oppression. The Zhenotdel was founded by Bolshevik women, such as

Jan 17, 2024

Featured Articles·News & Analysis·Socialist Feminism

Referendums 2024: Demand a wording that actually supports care

By Eleni Vetsika Two referendums are seeking to amend constitution articles 41 and 41.2. The former provides an extremely narrow and patriarchal definition of what is recognised as a ‘family’, and the latter – equally antiquated – sees women’s role in the

Jan 16, 2024

Theory & History·What is Socialism?

Socialism 101: What kind of organisation do we need? (part 2)

By Eddie McCabe In part 1 of this article we explained how the working class, in its resistance to capitalist exploitation, oppression and destruction, will form many kinds of organisations. These can at different times and in varying ways contribute to the

Jan 16, 2024

Reviews and Culture

Review: How to Have Sex directed by Molly Manning Walker

Reviewed by Myriam Poizat-Marouki (Spoiler warning) ‘Why didn’t you say something?’ As if the closeness of the young women’s friendship outweighed the societal pressures; this line will have resonated with millions more people’s past and present than one would want to believe.

Jan 15, 2024

World News

Repression and resistance in the Occupied West Bank

On Monday, 8 January, Israeli forces shot dead three unarmed young Palestinians in the town of Talkurem in the Occupied West Bank. Preventing paramedics from reaching them to provide treatment, they callously allowed them to bleed to death. Subsequently, an Israeli military

Jan 12, 2024