Review: “Self-Determination in Disputed Colonial Territories” – Jamie Trinidad

In "Self-Determination in Disputed Colonial Territories," Jamie Trinidad presents a brilliant and succinct analysis of colonial self-determination in territories subject to a territorial dispute or that deviate from the normative framework of colonial self-determination. The book begins with a thorough analysis of Paragraph 6 of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial CountriesContinue reading "Review: “Self-Determination in Disputed Colonial Territories” – Jamie Trinidad"

Review: “Imperialism, Sovereignty and the Making of International Law” – Antony Anghie

Antony Anghie’s “Imperialism, Sovereignty, and the Making of International Law” is a seminal work that delves into the colonial origins of international law. His research uncovers the historical evolution of international law and illuminates its present-day implications, particularly its role in perpetuating colonial and neo-colonial relations with the Third World. Anghie’s analysis, tracing back toContinue reading "Review: “Imperialism, Sovereignty and the Making of International Law” – Antony Anghie"

Review: “Trotskyism: Counter-Revolution in Disguise” – M. J. Olgin

As an unrepentant working class, self-taught Marxist-Leninist, and a staunch follower of the anti-revisionist line of Marx-Engels-Lenin-Stalin, I find myself in profound disagreement with Trotsky’s ‘theories’ and his contemporary adherents. Despite having previously delved into M. J. Olgin’s 1935 book, ‘Trotskyism: Counter-Revolution in Disguise, I felt compelled to revisit it, seeking a deeper understanding ofContinue reading "Review: “Trotskyism: Counter-Revolution in Disguise” – M. J. Olgin"

Review: “And the Poor Get Children: Radical Perspectives on Population Dynamics” – ed. Karen Michaelson

And the Poor Get Children: Radical Perspectives on Population Dynamics, edited by Karen Michaelson and published by Monthly Review, offers a radical critique of orthodox economics and overpopulation theories. The essays in this book confront neo-Malthusianism head-on, similar to what the famous Brazilian doctor and scientist Josué de Castro did in his brilliant book TheContinue reading "Review: “And the Poor Get Children: Radical Perspectives on Population Dynamics” – ed. Karen Michaelson"

Review: “Power, Networks and Violent Conflict in Central Asia: A Comparison of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan” – Idil Tunçer-Kılavuz

The Tajikistan Civil War (1992-1997) was one of the deadliest post-Soviet conflicts in the former USSR, killing tens of thousands and displacing thousands more. Much of the literature on the conflict has focused on three main factors: 1.) the economic crisis following independence and the consequent loss of subsidies from Moscow; 2.) the regional divisionContinue reading "Review: “Power, Networks and Violent Conflict in Central Asia: A Comparison of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan” – Idil Tunçer-Kılavuz"

Review: “The Right to Self-Determination Under International Law: ‘Selfistans,’ Secession, and the Rule of the Great Powers” – Milena Sterio

International law is routinely examined by legal scholars as if international law exists separately from economics, politics, and, most importantly, the class struggle. When discussing international law, scholars hesitate to ask difficult questions, such as why some secessionist-seeking movements succeed while others fail. An example is Heiko Krüger’s analysis of Nagorno-Karabakh, where Krüger refuses toContinue reading "Review: “The Right to Self-Determination Under International Law: ‘Selfistans,’ Secession, and the Rule of the Great Powers” – Milena Sterio"

Our Trip to Uzbekistan

On September 1, 2023, we began an almost month-long trip across Uzbekistan (including the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan), a country that has fascinated me for over a decade. And what a trip it was! I thought I would share some of the highlights of our trip to Uzbekistan in this post. But first...a few misconceptions.Continue reading "Our Trip to Uzbekistan"

Review: “Kosovo: War and Revenge” – Tim Judah

Kosovo is a subject that interests me. NATO’s bombing campaign against Serbia on behalf of an armed secessionist movement that many Western countries—NATO members included—considered a terrorist organization and the subsequent recognition of Kosovo by most Western states have significant politico-legal implications for conflicts far beyond the Balkans. This is a subject I address extensivelyContinue reading "Review: “Kosovo: War and Revenge” – Tim Judah"

Review: “One-Party Government in the Ivory Coast” – Aristide R. Zolberg

My expectations were not high when I first started to read Aristide R. Zolberg’s “One-Party Government in the Ivory Coast.” Princeton University Press published the book in 1969. Every book I have ever read about Africa—or any subject—that an Ivy League university published during decolonization and the Cold War has been a disappointment. However, theContinue reading "Review: “One-Party Government in the Ivory Coast” – Aristide R. Zolberg"

Review: “Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man who makes War Possible” – Stephen Braun and Douglas Farah

“Merchant of Death” by Stephen Braun and Douglas Farah is the story of Viktor Bout, the Tajik-born Russian arms dealer who was the inspiration behind the 2005 film Lord of War starring Nicholas Cage. According to Braun and Farah, Bout’s arms smuggling operation was gargantuan. Bout owned a fleet of massive Soviet cargo planes, suchContinue reading "Review: “Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man who makes War Possible” – Stephen Braun and Douglas Farah"

Review: “The Peloponnesian War” – Donald Kagan

Donald Kagan’s “The Peloponnesian War” is a mammoth tome on arguably one of the most devastating periods in Hellenic history—the war between the Athenian Empire and Sparta’s Peloponnesian League (431-404 BC). What began as a civil war in Epidamnus sparked a colonial war between Corcyra and Corinth. When Athens agreed to assist Corcyra in itsContinue reading "Review: “The Peloponnesian War” – Donald Kagan"

Review: “Soviets in Central Asia” – W. P. and Zelda Coates

“Soviets in Central Asia” by W. P. and Zelda Coates confirmed my expectation of a broad, Marxist overview of the socialist transformation of Russian Turkestan and the emirates of Bukhara and Khiva. I enjoy the Coates’ work on the USSR, although most people would criticize them for being too ‘Stalinist.’ While there is an elementContinue reading "Review: “Soviets in Central Asia” – W. P. and Zelda Coates"

Review: “South Africa’s Transkei: The Political Economy of an ‘Independent’ Bantustan’ – Roger Southall

Roger Southall’s “South Africa’s Transkei: The Political Economy of an ‘Independent’ Bantustan” (Monthly Review, 1983) is a technical book that examines the emergence of ‘independent’ bantustans in South Africa from the 1970s to the end of apartheid in 1994. Using Marxian political economy, Southall unravels the economic and material basis of the bantustans, focusing onContinue reading "Review: “South Africa’s Transkei: The Political Economy of an ‘Independent’ Bantustan’ – Roger Southall"

Review: “Sweatshops on Wheels: Winners and Losers in Trucking Deregulation” – Michael H. Belzer

Before obtaining his Ph.D. in economics from Cornel University, Michael H. Belzer logged over 750,000 over-the-road miles as a Teamster tank-truck driver. Thus, along with his academic background, Belzer has firsthand experience working in the trucking industry. Like Belzer, I, too, am an academic with experience working in the trucking industry, increasing the appeal ofContinue reading "Review: “Sweatshops on Wheels: Winners and Losers in Trucking Deregulation” – Michael H. Belzer"

Review: “Soviet-Polish Relations, 1917-1921” – Piotr S. Wandycz

Piotr S. Wandycz examines Soviet-Polish relations in the period between the October Revolution of 1917 to the conclusion of the Soviet-Polish war with the signing of the Treaty of Riga in 1921. For a book published by Harvard University Press, Wandycz is surprisingly and refreshingly detailed and objective as he examines the diplomatic and militaryContinue reading "Review: “Soviet-Polish Relations, 1917-1921” – Piotr S. Wandycz"

Review: “Central Asia in Modern Times: A History from the Early 19th Century” – Devendra Kaushik

“Central Asia in Modern Times: A History from the Early 19th Century” by Devendra Kaushik is a history of Central Asia since the Russian conquest in the mid-1800s. As a Marxist-Leninist from India who studied the national archives in Russia, India, and Uzbekistan, Kaushik’s perspective is very much of an outsider looking in. This outsiderContinue reading "Review: “Central Asia in Modern Times: A History from the Early 19th Century” – Devendra Kaushik"

Review: “Ethnocultural Processes and National Problems in the Modern World” – ed. I. R. Grigulevich

“Ethnocultural Processes and National Problems in the Modern World” is a collection of essays by Soviet ethnologists edited by I. R. Grigulevich about ethnic, racial, and national issues in both the USSR and other countries. This is an impressively comprehensive book. Part 1 of the book examines ethnocultural processes in the USSR and is dividedContinue reading "Review: “Ethnocultural Processes and National Problems in the Modern World” – ed. I. R. Grigulevich"

Review: “To Kill a Nation: The Attack on Yugoslavia” – Michael Parenti

“To Kill a Nation: The Attack on Yugoslavia” by Michael Parenti is the best book on the Balkan wars I have ever read. Parenti is my two favourite authors (the other being Victor Perlo), and this is probably my favourite book by him. Anyone interested in the Balkans and NATO's aggressive expansion since the overthrowContinue reading "Review: “To Kill a Nation: The Attack on Yugoslavia” – Michael Parenti"

Review: “The Autobiography of Big Bill Haywood” – William D. Haywood

The one-eyed William D. “Big Bill” Haywood (1869-1923) was a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a member of the Communist Party of the USA, and a revolutionary fighter against capitalism and exploitation. His autobiography is a riveting working-class history of the USA. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1869,Continue reading "Review: “The Autobiography of Big Bill Haywood” – William D. Haywood"