Features
As the deadline approaches for an agreement between the UK and the EU, the first of two articles by economist Brian O’Boyle looks at the roots of a Tory Brexit and assesses the current state of play. Boris Johnson’s political career is inextricably tied to Brexit. When David
Covid-19
Governments across the world are making decisions about to how to pay for the COVID-19 crisis. Economist Brian O’Boyle assesses the options open to the Irish state and argues that despite the spin, the money exists for a progessive alternative to the austerity our leaders favour. The Irish
Covid-19
Having insisted for decades on the sanctity of the markets, austerity-driven world leaders are now coming up with billions to bail out a capitalist system which, as Brian O’Boyle explains, was already in ill-health. The S&P 500 is an American stock market that follows the
Features
The global economy has been expanding in the last number of years, but growth rates have been sluggish. Where is capitalism going? Socialist economist Brian O’Boyle gives his take. The global economy continues to present a conundrum to mainstream economists. In the positive column, they can point to the
Features
In the aftermath of Labour’s crushing defeat in last week’s general election, much of the blame has been attributed to Jeremy Corbyn. Brian O’Boyle argues that the problems for the Labour Party go much deeper. Labour’s result in last week’s general election was the worst
Ecosocialism
Small farmers are fighting back across rural Ireland and, as Brian O’Boyle argues, their campaign is crucial to the development of a ‘just transition’ towards a fairer and more ecologically sustainable economy. The Beef Plan Movement (BPM) was established in the winter of 2018 to protect the livelihoods of
Features
Tax havens are often portrayed as exotic islands, in far flung parts of the world. But as economist Brian O’Boyle explains, tax evasion is incorporated into capitalism on a global scale. And the amounts of money stolen are staggering. One important myth about tax havens is that they are
Ecosocialism
Leo Varadkar is calling for a new carbon tax to “tackle climate change.” Brian O’Boyle dissects this proposal, arguing that it is a distraction from genuine efforts to save the environment. Climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity. Last October, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed
Features
Brian O’Boyle casts a sharp eye over Budget 2019, suggesting that beyond the headlines the government has not shifted beyond its corporate agenda. Budget 2019 comes ten years after the start of the Great Recession. Back then, no measure was deemed too excessive, as Fianna Fáil took €12.5
Features
As Chinese economic growth continues at a rapid rate, Brian O’Boyle asks will China be the worlds new superpower? Over the last 40 years, China has been transformed from a provincial backwater into one of the world’s major economic powers. When Deng Xiaoping first championed “Socialism with Chinese
Features
Two years after Trump’s outlandish election promises, economist Brian O’Boyle analyses the realities of Trump’s economic doctrine for American capitalism, his economic rivals and ordinary Americans. Donald Trump has promised he will “Make America Great Again”. In what has been a deeply reactionary presidency, he has also
Features
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have benefited from some recovery in the polls, but as the confidence and supply arrangement appears to be coming to an end, Brian O’Boyle asks, can the centre hold? Delivering his budget speech in 2017, the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donoghue, stated that “those