On the political economy of contemporary imperialism: The concept of the “imperialist pyramid” and its critics

By Thanasis Spanidis

Summary in short theses: 

1. In the Programmatic Theses of Kommunistische Organisation (KO) we find (in broad outline) a clear orientation for the analysis of imperialism. The theoretical conception developed therein has now been rejected in a number of contributions to the discussion (Klara Bina, Alexander Kiknadze, to a lesser extent Paul Oswald). 

2. The assertion that the imperialist world system is characterized by a “unipolar world order” led by the USA cannot be confirmed by the available data. Both the economic and military balance of power at the top of the imperialist world order refute the picture of singular U.S. domination. 

KKE condemns reinforcement of NATO's presence in Kosovo, calls for the withdrawal of Greek forces

Statement of the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on the developments in Kosovo:

Unacceptable reinforcement of NATO’s presence - Greek forces must withdraw immediately

Nowadays, there is a sharpening conflict of imperialist interests in various regions of the world, including the Balkans, where the situation formed by Euro-Atlantic intervention, NATO bombings and the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s remains a festering wound.

Communist and Anti-Imperialist Youth Organisations demand an end to imperialist Windsor Monarchy

On the occasion of the coronation of Charles III of England, revolutionary youth organisations from Britain, Jamaica, Canada & Australia have signed the following statement, demanding an end to the imperialist British Monarchy:

"We the undersigned Communist and Anti-Imperialist Youth Organisations of countries retaining the British Monarchy as their head of state and members of the so-called ‘Commonwealth’ reject the farce coronation of Charles Windsor and call for the immediate abolition of the British monarchy.

Communist Party of Swaziland mourns the death of its former National Chairperson Dumisani Fakudze

The Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) has sadly learned of the passing away of Comrade Dumisani “DU” Fakudze on the early hours of June 2, 2023.

The CPS conveys its message of heartfelt condolences to Comrade Dumisani’s family, the working class as well as the mass democratic movement which he served diligently till he breathed his last.

 

Communist Party of India (Marxist): Statement on the gruesome train accident in Odisha

In a statement concerning the gruesome train crash in Odisha, which claimed the lives of at least 280 people, the Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) stresses out:

"The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their dear ones in this worst rail accident in recent times. The PB calls upon all concerned authorities to prevent the rise of the death toll by ensuring speedy and urgent medical attention to the injured.

Greek Elections 2023: No anti-popular government is omnipotent when faced with a stronger KKE

On 29/5, the GS of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Dimitris Koutsoumbas, spoke at a meeting attended by all the KKE candidates in Attica, Party cadres and other militants who joined forces with the Party in the elections. He called for a further strengthening of the KKE in the new parliamentary elections to be held on 25 June.  

“The optimistic message of these elections —without, of course, overlooking the overall negative correlation of forces— is the significant strengthening of the KKE, which won 7.23%, 427,000 votes, and 26 MPs, taking third place in Attica again, this time achieving  double-digit percentages in the working class–popular neighborhoods and an increase in all regions nationwide”, noted the GS of the CC of KKE.

10th anniversary of Gezi Park Resistance: TKP hold a protest on Istanbul's Istiklal street

Communist Party of Türkiye (TKP) organised a demonstration on Istiklal Street in İstanbul today on the 10th anniversary of Gezi Park Resistance. TKP members, who 10 years ago hung the banner of “Don’t Bow Down” on Atatürk Cultural Center -this slogan had become the symbol of the resistance afterwards- this time hung it on Demirören Shopping Mall and chanted slogans of “Everywhere Taksim Everywhere Resistance”, “Don’t Bow Down, Reclaim Your Country”, “This is just the beginning, keep on struggling”. TKP members marched on Istiklal Street and faced police intervention in the first minutes of the protest.

 

The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) on Erdogan's re-election: No room for pessimism, we 'll be victorious

In a statement for Tayyip Erdogan's victory in the second round of the Turkish presidential elections, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) points out:

"Those who are trying to squeeze the struggle of this people into the ballot box should shut up from now on!

The results of the second round of the presidential elections have been largely finalized. Of course, it cannot be said that what emerged as the outcome of the elections, which were pointed to determine the fate of Turkey, is a hope for a bright future.

KKE: STATEMENT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON THE RESULTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 21 MAY 2023

STATEMENT OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE KKE

ON THE RESULTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF 21 MAY 2023

1. The CC hails the thousands of KKE and KNE members, supporters, individuals who cooperate with the Party and voters who contributed to the electoral battle of the KKE.

We especially hail those who took the step for the first time, the young people who casted their first vote in favour of our Party.

Spain: PCTE communists ready to fight another battle after positive results in local elections

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for early general elections on July 23 after his social democratic party, PSOE, and its major ally, Unidas Podemos, suffered heavy losses across the country in regional and municipal elections. 

 

On the other hand, the conservative opposition (Partido Popular) and the far-right (Vox party) posted powerful gains in polls. In total, Partido Popular gained more than 7 million votes (31.53%), which is almost 2 million more voters in relation to 2019 elections, while PSOE social democrats received 6.3 million votes (28.1%). A disturbing feature is the rise of the far-right Vox, which received 1.6 million votes, related to 812 thousand in 2019. 

Dimitris Koutsoumbas: The KKE can be the only true opposition to ND's anti-popular government

Only the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) can be a true opposition to the anti-popular policies of the New Democracy (ND) government, KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas said in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) published on Sunday.

"There is today but one dilemma: Either you give consent to the support of the government's anti-popular policies or you support the only true opposition from the point of view of working-class, popular interests," the General Secretary said, urging voters to further strengthen KKE in the upcoming elections on June 25.

Solidarity with Brazilian communist Sofia Manzano — Debunking fake news spread by Bolsonaristas

PCB cadre Sofia Manzano

Far-right groups related to ex-President Jair Bolsonaro have unleashed a slanderous attack against Brazilian communist, cadre of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), Sofia Manzano, claiming that she participated undercover in January 8 violent riots in order to criminalize Bolsonaro supporters and that she is an advisor to the current social democrat President Lula da Silva. 

In a statement the National Political Commission of the PCB stresses out: