Communist Student
Issue 5 April 08
Contents
>>NUS conference
- Defend LGBT rights
- How to combat wrong ideas
- No platform: not always the answer
- Time to smell the coffee
>>Iran
- Hands Off the People of Iran!
- Iran motions
- Solidarity, Students and the Left
- Students back election boycott
Issue 4 November 07
Reject Stop the War exclusions!
In moves to sideline any criticism of the Iranian regime within the anti-war movement, CS and Hands Off the People Of Iran have been barred from the Stop the War Coalition. Benjamin Klein reports
‘Less violent’ capitalism
Nicholas Jones reviews Naomi Klein’s The shock doctrine.
Against the mainstream
John Jo Sidwell looks at another radical hip-hop outfit, The Coup, and their struggle for radical politics in the face of adversity.
Is the NUS worth saving?
It sounds almost farcical: why would the leadership of the National Union of Students try to abolish democracy in its own organisation? CS member Tina Becker reports
The curious tale of Student Respect
Jim Grant recounts the last few acts of another left tragedy
People and Planet needs Marxism
James Turley has a look at the popular student group and what it has to offer
Two faces of imperialism
As the ‘war on terror’ rages on in the Middle East, there is another war being waged against civil liberties in Britain, says Jamie Linney
Issue 3 September 2007
Boycott Israel?
Should communists support the campaign for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions? Dave Isaacson discusses the issue
The student and youth left: a guided tour
Wondering who all these bright young things are at your fresher’s fair? James Turley shows you around.
The Future of Cities
The accelerating climate crisis, argues Laurie McCauley, requires changes at all levels of urban society.
Legalise all drugs!
Recently, there have been plenty of stories in the news linking mental health problems and suicides with the consumption of cannabis - clearly in an effort to reverse its classification as a class C drug. James Linney looks at the issues
Censorship on Facebook
The Stop the War Coalition’s student grouping has censored a critical article on the question of Iran, submitted by CS member David Isaacson - an indication of the lack of democracy that still cripples much of the left
Gay rights: end the silence
Surely, the left fights unequivocally for the rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals? Unfortunately, it’s not so straightforward, says Nicholas Jones
Bigger than hip hop
Hip hop and radical politics make unlikely bedfellows these days. Ted North looks at one exception to the rule, the band Dead Prez
Exams and changing the rules
All students should read Bertell Ollman’s How to take an exam and remake the world (Black Rose Books), says Benjamin Edgar Klein
Issue 2 February 2007
Against imperialism- and against the Iranian regime
In the face of threats from the U.S. government, some on the left are showing uncritical support for Ahmadinejad and his brutal theocracy. Our editorial argues that socialists and democrats should fight on two fronts.
Student sex scandal
The number of students working as prostitutes has risen by 50% in the last six years; a grim result of increasing financial difficulty for many students. But sex workers need solidarity, not sympathy, says James Turley.
Third camp comic
Tina Becker reviews Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis, which portrays the struggle against, and life under the Islamic regime from the perspective of a young woman and democrat.
War and repression
Ben Lewis speaks to Iranian activist Ahmad Zahedi Langaroudi about sanctions, the threat of invasion- and how war could strengthen the regime.
Debate- how to fight the BNP
How to combat fascism and the BNP was one of the most controversial debates in the run-up to the founding conference of Communist Students. Here James Padmore and Benjamin Klein argue for contrasting approaches.
Issue 1 November 2006
Scrap student fees! For a free education!
The NUS, having barely put up a fight over tuition fees, now meekly calls for the cap on maximum charges to remain in place. Our editorial calls for a democratic NUS which will actually fight for student’s interests.
Honesty and openness
The left in the student movement needs a cultural revolution. That is what Communist Students is in business to fight for, writes Ellie James.
What is Respect?
The Socialist Worker’s Party is mostly active on campus through it’s front group Respect. But what is the substance of it’s politics?
Standing as a communist
Carey Davies, presidential canidate for Sheffield University’s student union, got a lot of stick for his platform- including from comrades on the left. Here he explains the reasoning behind his more controversial policies.
Spies, Universities, and “Asian-looking people”
All democrats and socialists should fight against the government’s plans to encourage university staff to spy on “Asian-looking” or muslim students, says David Isaacson.
Carrot and stick
What lies behind Jack Straw’s attack on the niqab? By Dave Isaacson.
