Socialist Alternative (Australia)

Socialist Alternative is a revolutionary socialist organisation in Australia, identifying with the Marxist tradition of "socialism from below". Formed after its founding members were expelled from the former International Socialist Organisation (ISO) in 1995, today it claims to have the largest active membership on the Australian far-left – as acknowledged by some on the far-left. With branches across Australia, their membership operates within the trade union and student union movements and grass roots campaigns such as those supporting same-sex marriage rights, refugee rights and Palestinian national liberation. They oppose the US and Australian military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, austerity measures implemented by governments in response to the Global Financial Crisis and they support the Arab Spring and Occupy movement.

Though one of Socialist Alternative's stated aims is to contribute towards building a revolutionary party that can intervene in – and lead – mass working-class struggles, they do not consider themselves a political party at their current size and influence. Originating in the political tradition of the International Socialist Tendency, Socialist Alternative defend the position that a socialist revolution can only come about through "workers taking control of their workplaces, dismantling existing state institutions (parliaments, courts, the armed forces and police) and replacing them with an entirely new state based on genuinely democratic control by the working class".

Socialist Alternative (Germany)

Socialist Alternative (German: Sozialistische Alternative, SAV) is a German Trotskyist organization and the German section of the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI).

The SAV identifies itself as a "revolutionary, socialist organization in the tradition of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotsky, Luxemburg and Liebknecht", and it "stands for resistance, solidarity and socialism".

History

The SAV originated in 1973 as a grouping around the monthly newspaper VORAN ("ahead"). The Voran Group entered the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and its youth wing, Jusos, to promote a revolutionary Marxist platform. Like many leftist groups, the VORAN Group hoped that the economic slowdown of the 1970s would draw workers (especially Social Democrats) to the far left. The group was the German section of the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI), which was led by Ted Grant and the British Militant tendency.

During the early 1980s membership of VORAN grew from fifty to 250 members, according to official sources. The group campaigned against German rearmament, NATO activities and nuclear power plants. The group remained ambivalent about the emergent Green Party, which it regarded as a "middle-class movement." The group also organized a national campaign in support of the British miners' strike, and attempted to radicalize German industrial workers and their unions.

Socialist Alternative (Finland)

Socialist Alternative (Finnish: Sosialistinen Vaihtoehto) is the Finnish section of the Committee for a Workers' International. Founded in 2002, it is active in Helsinki, Turku and Oulu. The name in English is Socialist Alternative the same as the CWI section in America which has attracted some attention in Finland.

References

External links

Socialist Party (England and Wales)

The Socialist Party is a Trotskyist political party in England and Wales which adopted its current name in 1997. It was formerly known as Militant, an entryist group in the Labour Party from 1964 until it abandoned that tactic in 1991. It stands under the electoral banner of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC).

The Socialist Party has members in executive positions in a number of trade unions. It has sister parties in Scotland and Ireland and is a member of the Committee for a Workers' International and the European Anti-Capitalist Left. It is considered by many centre-left publications as being on the hard left of British politics.

History

The Socialist Party was formerly the Militant group (also known as the Militant tendency) which practised entryist tactics in the Labour Party and organised around the Militant newspaper. Founded in 1964, the Militant newspaper described itself as the "Marxist voice of Labour and Youth". In the 1980s, prominent Militant supporters Dave Nellist, Pat Wall and Terry Fields were elected to the House of Commons as Labour MPs. In 1982, the Liverpool District Labour Party adopted Militant's policies for Liverpool City Council in its battle against cuts in the rate support grant from government, and adopted the slogan "Better to break the law than break the poor". It came into conflict with the Conservative government.

Australia

Coordinates: 27°S 133°E / 27°S 133°E / -27; 133

Australia (/ɒˈstreɪliə/, /ə-/, colloquially /-jə/), officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is an Oceanian country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area. Neighbouring countries include Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and East Timor to the north; the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east.

For about 50,000 years before the first British settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who spoke languages grouped into roughly 250 language groups. After the European discovery of the continent by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales from 26 January 1788. The population grew steadily in subsequent decades; the continent was explored and an additional five self-governing crown colonies were established. On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated, forming the Commonwealth of Australia. Since federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system that functions as a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy comprising six states and several territories. The population of 24 million is highly urbanised and heavily concentrated in the eastern states and on the coast.

Australia (The Kinks song)

"Australia" is a song by the British rock band The Kinks, appearing on their 1969 album, Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire). It was written by the band's main songwriter, Ray Davies.

Lyrics and Music

In the song, the character Derek (who is featured in the story line of Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)) attempts to convince his father, Arthur, of the great opportunities available in Australia, where there's "no drug addiction" and you can "surf like they do in the U.S.A." Derek's advertisement is compared to John Smith, who campaigned for America in a similar manner, by author Thomas Kitts.

The song also features a jam sequence lasting for approximately half the song, which is atypical for The Kinks. In the Australian single edit, this section is removed by editing an earlier section of the song into another section during a drum beat, which is then followed by a fade-out.

Release

"Australia" was only released in most countries on the Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) album, where it was the closing track on side one. However, in Australia, a dramatically cut down version of the song was released as a single, with another Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) track, "She's Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina", on the B-side. However, the single was commercially unsuccessful.

Australia (horse)

Australia (foaled 8 April 2011) is a British-bred, Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2014 Epsom Derby. As a two-year-old in 2013, he won two of his three races, creating a very favourable impression when winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes, and was highly regarded by his trainer Aidan O'Brien. In May 2014 he finished third behind Night of Thunder and Kingman in the 2000 Guineas before winning the Epsom Derby on 7 June. He subsequently won the Irish Derby and International Stakes before being defeated by The Grey Gatsby in the Irish Champion Stakes. His racing career was ended by injury in October 2014. He is standing at Coolmore stud.

Background

Australia is a chestnut colt with a narrow white blaze bred by the Newmarket-based Stanley House stud. Australia was sired by Galileo, a Derby winner himself who went on to become an outstanding breeding stallion, winning the title of champion sire on five occasions. Galileo had sired two previous Epsom Derby winners New Approach in 2007 and Ruler of the World in 2013. Australia's Dam Ouija Board won seven Group One races including the 2004 Epsom Oaks and was twice named European Horse of the Year. He is the fourth foal produced by Ouija Board and second to Galileo, Australia's older sister Filia Regina has had limited success with only a single victory in a handicap at Yarmouth. His half brother Our Voodoo Prince won 3 races in Britain before being sold and is currently in training with Chris Waller in Australia.