The Housing Crisis

by J. Steelman

Since the start of the pandemic, the housing crisis has taken on a new dimension. Previously, the housing crisis was defined largely by homelessness and gentrification, today an eviction wave is looming. Of course, all the conditions of the former still exist and will certainly be exacerbated by present crisis. Thus far throughout the pandemic 90+% of renters (NMHC.org) have been able to pay all or part of their rent by the end of the month. The Federal Unemployment Compensation extension has been key to helping people make their rent and the biweekly schedule of payments is likely the cause of payments being spread out over the month. Even with the additional help, late payments and partial payments are still grounds for evictions. [read more]

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Automation

By A. Barns

Humans are making rapid strides in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Both have the potential to reduce working hours, make jobs safer, increase energy efficiency, etc. But there are many potential problems—chief among them being unemployment and the use of AI to control human destiny in ways we may not want.

While the capitalist system has developed these technologies to their current state, it can never truly free human beings from work using robotics, nor allow AI to alleviate, rather than enslave, the human species. If we want more advanced machines to help us, we must ditch the profit motive in exchange for rational economic planning carried out by a government of the working people. [read more]

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Universal Basic Income and Its Pitfalls

by S. Callaghan

Universal Basic Income has become a popular subject on the left as the capitalist economy falters under the pandemic. As Marxists, we know there can be no discussion of Universal Basic Income without rooting it firmly in a class analysis. Certainly, the bourgeoisie will do so. The only way UBI will exist in a capitalist economy is if the bourgeoisie believes it to be in their interest.  If serious leftists are to advocate for UBI, we must demonstrate how it serves the long-term interests of the working class when the ruling class believes the opposite. [read more]