Indictment of the government’s record on combating poverty

The reported results of research by the philanthropic Bertelsmann Foundation in Germany which show that Ireland ranks among the worst in the western world in terms of social justice is a fresh indictment on this government.

The reported results of research by the philanthropic Bertelsmann Foundation in Germany which show that Ireland ranks among the worst in the western world in terms of social justice is a fresh indictment on this government.

On a number of key indicators the Foundation researched including what they term ‘poverty avoidance’, ‘education access’ and ‘generational equality’ Ireland finished in the lower reaches of the 31 OECD countries which formed the basis of the study.

The basis upon which these conclusions were reached come before the recent cut back budget has come into effect and obviously come in advance of the four further years of austerity ahead of us if the political and economic establishment get away with it unchallenged.

However I have no doubt that working people, the unemployed and students will not endure four years of austerity. The forthcoming election will itself mark a rejection of this strategy but mass movements of people power and strikes will be required to prevent the incoming Fine Gael/Labour government from continuing with these attacks unabated.

Such a protest movement, coupled with the building of a genuine mass political alternative on the left is the only route to combat the poverty and inequality that has been highlighted by the Bertelsmann Foundation. The Socialist Party and the United Left Alliance will be at the heart of building that alternative.

Total
0
Shares
Previous Article

Labour in Irish History revisited

Next Article

CWI 10th World Congress documents

Related Posts
Read More

Italy: Tenth anniversary of Genoa battles against the G8

Ten years ago, on 21 July, 2001, as many as 300,000 workers and young people marched angrily through the streets of Genoa. It was the culmination of a week of protest against the G8 summit held in the city and presided over by George Bush. Their numbers had been swelled by outrage against the killing on the previous day of a young protester – Carlo Giuliano – in Alimonda Square by the forces of the Italian state. This demonstration was also attacked and broken up by police using tear-gas and wielding batons indiscriminately.

Read More

Review: Elysium

Elysium is a dystopian sci-fi action film released in August 2013, starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. Set in the year 2154, it follows the story of Max da Costa, a factory worker living in the ruins of a future Los Angeles. In this future, the rich and powerful have fled the poverty, disease, and environmental destruction they’ve wrought on the world, and moved to a space station called Elysium. There they live in an idyllic society, far removed from the struggle of ordinary people on earth.