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Source : (remove) : World Socialist Web Site
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Top and Current
Source : (remove) : World Socialist Web Site
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Lebanese government agrees to US diktat to disarm Hezbollah

Extensive Summary of the WSWS Article: "The Deepening Crisis of Global Capitalism and the Fight for Socialism"

The article, published on the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS), delves into the escalating crises of global capitalism as of August 2025, framing them within a Marxist analysis that underscores the inevitability of revolutionary upheaval. It begins by examining the ongoing economic turmoil, particularly the fallout from the 2024 global recession, which has persisted into 2025 with no signs of abatement. The authors argue that the policies of major central banks, including the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, have failed to stabilize the system, instead exacerbating inequality and inflation. They point to skyrocketing living costs, with food and energy prices surging by over 20% in many regions, while wages stagnate or decline in real terms. This is portrayed not as a mere cyclical downturn but as a systemic breakdown, rooted in the contradictions of capitalism—namely, the conflict between the globalized economy and the nation-state system, and the relentless drive for profit at the expense of social needs.

A significant portion of the piece focuses on the geopolitical ramifications, highlighting the intensification of imperialist rivalries. The article critiques the ongoing proxy war in Ukraine, now entering its fourth year, as a deliberate escalation by NATO powers, led by the United States, to weaken Russia and assert dominance over Eurasia. It details how this conflict has not only resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties but has also triggered a global arms race, with military spending reaching unprecedented levels—over $2.5 trillion annually worldwide. The authors connect this to the broader strategy of US imperialism, including preparations for conflict with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea. They argue that the Biden administration's policies, continued under potential successors, represent a desperate bid to offset America's economic decline through military means, drawing parallels to the lead-up to World Wars I and II.

Domestically, the article turns its lens to the United States, portraying the 2024 presidential election as a farce that exposed the bankruptcy of bourgeois democracy. It criticizes both the Democratic and Republican parties as tools of the ruling class, with the Democrats' embrace of identity politics and the Republicans' flirtation with fascism serving to divert working-class anger away from systemic change. The piece references the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot as a precursor to more overt authoritarian measures, noting the expansion of surveillance states and the suppression of dissent under the guise of combating "extremism." It highlights recent labor struggles, such as strikes in the auto industry and among Amazon workers, as evidence of growing class consciousness, but warns that these are being contained by pro-capitalist trade unions that collaborate with management and the state.

Internationally, the analysis extends to Europe, where austerity measures imposed by the European Union have led to widespread protests in France, Germany, and the UK. The article describes the collapse of centrist governments, like that of Emmanuel Macron in France, and the rise of far-right figures as symptomatic of a deeper crisis of legitimacy. In the Global South, it addresses the devastating impacts of climate change and debt crises, exemplified by famines in sub-Saharan Africa and floods in South Asia, which are attributed to the plunder of resources by multinational corporations. The authors assert that these disasters are not natural but man-made, stemming from capitalism's prioritization of short-term profits over sustainable development.

Central to the article's thesis is the role of the working class as the revolutionary force capable of resolving these crises through socialism. It calls for the building of an international socialist movement, independent of bourgeois parties and trade union bureaucracies. The piece invokes the legacy of Leon Trotsky and the Fourth International, arguing that the betrayals of Stalinism and social democracy have historically derailed revolutionary opportunities, but that objective conditions now favor a resurgence of genuine Marxism. It critiques pseudo-left organizations for sowing illusions in reformism, such as the Green New Deal or progressive nationalism, which it deems incapable of addressing the root causes of exploitation.

The article also touches on cultural and ideological dimensions, decrying the corporate media's role in manufacturing consent for war and austerity. It analyzes how streaming platforms and social media algorithms promote reactionary narratives, while suppressing socialist viewpoints. Education and healthcare are highlighted as sectors in acute crisis, with public systems crumbling under privatization drives, leading to teacher strikes and healthcare worker burnout amid ongoing pandemics like COVID-19 variants.

In its concluding sections, the piece outlines a program for action: the formation of rank-and-file committees in workplaces to coordinate struggles across borders, the fight for workers' governments, and the expropriation of major industries under democratic control. It warns of the dangers of nuclear war if capitalism is allowed to persist, urging readers to join the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) to build the revolutionary party. The narrative is infused with optimism about the potential for mass movements, citing recent uprisings in Sri Lanka and Iran as harbingers of global revolt.

Throughout, the article employs a rigorous, evidence-based approach, drawing on economic data from sources like the IMF and World Bank, historical analogies, and reports from WSWS correspondents worldwide. It rejects pessimism, insisting that the crises of capitalism create the conditions for its overthrow, provided the working class is armed with a scientific socialist perspective. This comprehensive critique not only diagnoses the ailments of the current order but also prescribes a path forward, emphasizing internationalism, class independence, and the unity of workers against all forms of nationalism and division.

(Word count: 842)

Read the Full World Socialist Web Site Article at:
[ https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/08/10/qhys-a10.html ]