Jacobin
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Jacobin
@jacobinmag.bsky.social
· Dec 16
Issue 60 of Jacobin, “Municipal Socialism,” is here!
As Zohran Mamdani takes office, we examine the history of socialism at the local level, from Red Vienna to sewer socialism and more.
📪 Annual subscription just $20: jacobin.com/subscribe/?code=MUNICIPALSOCIALISM
As Zohran Mamdani takes office, we examine the history of socialism at the local level, from Red Vienna to sewer socialism and more.
📪 Annual subscription just $20: jacobin.com/subscribe/?code=MUNICIPALSOCIALISM
An ideal society would equitably distribute the means of production, and that includes musical production.
Universal music literacy would ensure everyone has the tools to take part in the collective human legacy of music.
Universal music literacy would ensure everyone has the tools to take part in the collective human legacy of music.
The Case for Universal Music Literacy
An ideal society would equitably distribute the means of production, and that includes musical production. Universal music literacy would ensure everyone has the tools to take part in the collective human legacy of music.
jacobin.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:00 PM
An ideal society would equitably distribute the means of production, and that includes musical production.
Universal music literacy would ensure everyone has the tools to take part in the collective human legacy of music.
Universal music literacy would ensure everyone has the tools to take part in the collective human legacy of music.
Discontent over dire economic conditions lay behind the protest wave that rocked Iran earlier this month.
A US attack will make things even worse for the Iranian people, whether or not it results in the regime change Donald Trump would like to see.
A US attack will make things even worse for the Iranian people, whether or not it results in the regime change Donald Trump would like to see.
Iran Is Facing Its Deepest Crisis Since the 1979 Revolution
Discontent over dire economic conditions lay behind the protest wave that rocked Iran earlier this month. A US attack will make things even worse for the Iranian people, whether or not it results in the regime change Donald Trump would like to see.
jacobin.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Discontent over dire economic conditions lay behind the protest wave that rocked Iran earlier this month.
A US attack will make things even worse for the Iranian people, whether or not it results in the regime change Donald Trump would like to see.
A US attack will make things even worse for the Iranian people, whether or not it results in the regime change Donald Trump would like to see.
Facing a massive budgetary crisis, Zohran Mamdani is breaking with technocratic norms to openly explain the deficit while reiterating his pledges to oppose austerity and tax the rich — which means walking a political tightrope with Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Zohran: The Budget Crisis Is Real. Workers Won’t Pay for It.
Facing a massive budgetary crisis, Zohran Mamdani is breaking with technocratic norms to openly explain the deficit while reiterating his pledges to oppose austerity and tax the rich — which means walking a political tightrope with Gov. Kathy Hochul.
jacobin.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Facing a massive budgetary crisis, Zohran Mamdani is breaking with technocratic norms to openly explain the deficit while reiterating his pledges to oppose austerity and tax the rich — which means walking a political tightrope with Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Both Donald Trump and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele style themselves successful businessmen with an affinity for social media, cryptocurrency, and criminalizing poor Salvadorans.
And each stands to gain from the relationship with the other.
And each stands to gain from the relationship with the other.
An Infinite State of Exception in Nayib Bukele’s El Salvador
Both Donald Trump and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele style themselves successful businessmen with an affinity for social media, cryptocurrency, and criminalizing poor Salvadorans. And each stands to gain from the relationship with the other.
jacobin.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Both Donald Trump and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele style themselves successful businessmen with an affinity for social media, cryptocurrency, and criminalizing poor Salvadorans.
And each stands to gain from the relationship with the other.
And each stands to gain from the relationship with the other.
The largest immigrant deportation and prison contractors in the US are expecting an epic payout this year: for every $1 that they donated to GOP campaigns in 2024, these private companies stand to reap more than $11,000 in increased annual revenue.
ICE Detention Contractors Are Reaping Massive Profits
The largest immigrant deportation and prison contractors in the US are expecting an epic payout this year: for every $1 that they donated to GOP campaigns in 2024, these private companies stand to reap more than $11,000 in increased annual revenue.
jacobin.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:59 PM
The largest immigrant deportation and prison contractors in the US are expecting an epic payout this year: for every $1 that they donated to GOP campaigns in 2024, these private companies stand to reap more than $11,000 in increased annual revenue.
Left populists across Europe have sometimes dampened their internationalism in an effort to reach broader audiences.
This has produced little in the way of electoral success and often meant giving up a necessary fight against xenophobia.
This has produced little in the way of electoral success and often meant giving up a necessary fight against xenophobia.
The Problem With Left Nationalism
Left populists across Europe have sometimes dampened their internationalism in an effort to reach broader audiences. This has produced little in the way of electoral success and often meant giving up a necessary fight against xenophobia.
jacobin.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Left populists across Europe have sometimes dampened their internationalism in an effort to reach broader audiences.
This has produced little in the way of electoral success and often meant giving up a necessary fight against xenophobia.
This has produced little in the way of electoral success and often meant giving up a necessary fight against xenophobia.
House Democrats worked with the GOP to advance a bill establishing a publicly funded corporate lobbying committee within the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Several lawmakers pushing the bill are heavily funded by businesses overseen by the regulator.
Several lawmakers pushing the bill are heavily funded by businesses overseen by the regulator.
Congress Wants to Publicly Fund Lobbyists at the SEC
House Democrats worked with the GOP to advance a bill establishing a publicly funded corporate lobbying committee within the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several lawmakers pushing the bill are heavily funded by businesses overseen by the regulator.
jacobin.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:59 PM
House Democrats worked with the GOP to advance a bill establishing a publicly funded corporate lobbying committee within the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Several lawmakers pushing the bill are heavily funded by businesses overseen by the regulator.
Several lawmakers pushing the bill are heavily funded by businesses overseen by the regulator.
The ACLU is trying to convince Trump’s labor board to overturn precedent that expansively protects workers’ speech rights.
The nonprofit wants the NLRB to instead adopt narrower rules that make it much easier for employers to fire workers for speaking up.
The nonprofit wants the NLRB to instead adopt narrower rules that make it much easier for employers to fire workers for speaking up.
The ACLU Wants to Shrink Workers’ Speech Protections
The ACLU is trying to convince Trump’s labor board to overturn precedent that expansively protects workers’ speech rights. The nonprofit wants the NLRB to instead adopt narrower rules that make it much easier for employers to fire workers for speaking up.
jacobin.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The ACLU is trying to convince Trump’s labor board to overturn precedent that expansively protects workers’ speech rights.
The nonprofit wants the NLRB to instead adopt narrower rules that make it much easier for employers to fire workers for speaking up.
The nonprofit wants the NLRB to instead adopt narrower rules that make it much easier for employers to fire workers for speaking up.
The glue that holds Donald Trump’s coalition together is not ideological coherence but a volatile compound of empire, spectacle, and grievance.
Understanding these tensions helps explain both MAGA’s successes and its weaknesses.
Understanding these tensions helps explain both MAGA’s successes and its weaknesses.
The Social Forces Behind the MAGA Coalition
The glue that holds Donald Trump’s coalition together is not ideological coherence but a volatile compound of empire, spectacle, and grievance. Understanding these tensions helps explain both MAGA’s successes and its weaknesses.
jacobin.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The glue that holds Donald Trump’s coalition together is not ideological coherence but a volatile compound of empire, spectacle, and grievance.
Understanding these tensions helps explain both MAGA’s successes and its weaknesses.
Understanding these tensions helps explain both MAGA’s successes and its weaknesses.
Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has alienated many longtime allies.
But it has tantalized a cohort of tech billionaires who see the island as a potential laboratory for “freedom cities,” or privately governed zones without regulation or democracy.
But it has tantalized a cohort of tech billionaires who see the island as a potential laboratory for “freedom cities,” or privately governed zones without regulation or democracy.
Silicon Valley Wants to Make Greenland a Libertarian Dystopia
Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has alienated many longtime allies. But it has tantalized a cohort of tech billionaires who see the island as a potential laboratory for “freedom cities,” or privately governed zones without regulation or democracy.
jacobin.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has alienated many longtime allies.
But it has tantalized a cohort of tech billionaires who see the island as a potential laboratory for “freedom cities,” or privately governed zones without regulation or democracy.
But it has tantalized a cohort of tech billionaires who see the island as a potential laboratory for “freedom cities,” or privately governed zones without regulation or democracy.
New York hospitals are ignoring striking nurses’ demands for patient and health care worker safety and respect and trying to weaken one of the city’s most important unions.
Mayor Mamdani and his movement have a key role to play in helping nurses win.
Mayor Mamdani and his movement have a key role to play in helping nurses win.
The Nurses’ Strike Is a Pivotal Battle for Zohran’s New York
New York hospitals are ignoring striking nurses’ demands for patient and health care worker safety and respect and trying to weaken one of the city’s most important unions. Mayor Mamdani and his movement have a key role to play in helping nurses win.
jacobin.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:59 PM
New York hospitals are ignoring striking nurses’ demands for patient and health care worker safety and respect and trying to weaken one of the city’s most important unions.
Mayor Mamdani and his movement have a key role to play in helping nurses win.
Mayor Mamdani and his movement have a key role to play in helping nurses win.
Democrats have a rare moment of leverage to pass legislation ending qualified immunity for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, dismantling a legal shield that has allowed them to evade accountability for murder.
How Democrats Can End Qualified Immunity for ICE Agents
Democrats have a rare moment of leverage to pass legislation ending qualified immunity for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, dismantling a legal shield that has allowed them to evade accountability for murder.
jacobin.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Democrats have a rare moment of leverage to pass legislation ending qualified immunity for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, dismantling a legal shield that has allowed them to evade accountability for murder.
The impunity with which ICE and other DHS agents are carrying out violence and murders in cities like Minneapolis is so awful that now scores of law enforcement officials themselves are speaking out against it.
Even Law Enforcement Officers Think This Has Gone Too Far
The impunity with which ICE and other DHS agents are carrying out violence and murders in cities like Minneapolis is so awful that now scores of law enforcement officials themselves are speaking out against it.
jacobin.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:14 AM
The impunity with which ICE and other DHS agents are carrying out violence and murders in cities like Minneapolis is so awful that now scores of law enforcement officials themselves are speaking out against it.
After the pandemic, many younger Americans were encouraged to buy housing in “starter cities.”
But now the homes are losing value, and property taxes are soaring, pitching the housing market into crisis.
But now the homes are losing value, and property taxes are soaring, pitching the housing market into crisis.
Something Weird Is Happening in the Housing Market
After the pandemic, many younger Americans were encouraged to buy housing in “starter cities.” But now the homes are losing value, and property taxes are soaring, pitching the housing market into crisis.
jacobin.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:59 PM
After the pandemic, many younger Americans were encouraged to buy housing in “starter cities.”
But now the homes are losing value, and property taxes are soaring, pitching the housing market into crisis.
But now the homes are losing value, and property taxes are soaring, pitching the housing market into crisis.
When it comes to "The Testament of Ann Lee", you’re either someone who wants to see a long, sometimes harrowing musical about the woman who founded the Shaker religion, or you’re most definitely not.
Hopefully you are.
Hopefully you are.
The Testament of Ann Lee Is the Wild Shaker Musical You Crave
When it comes to The Testament of Ann Lee, you’re either someone who wants to see a long, sometimes harrowing musical about the woman who founded the Shaker religion, or you’re most definitely not. Ho...
jacobin.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:36 PM
When it comes to "The Testament of Ann Lee", you’re either someone who wants to see a long, sometimes harrowing musical about the woman who founded the Shaker religion, or you’re most definitely not.
Hopefully you are.
Hopefully you are.
It’s hard to think of a parallel effort in US history to build a domestic agency of violence specialists at the scale of ICE before now.
Where Is the Off-Ramp From All This State Violence?
It’s hard to think of a parallel effort in US history to build a domestic agency of violence specialists at the scale of ICE before now.
jacobin.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:29 PM
It’s hard to think of a parallel effort in US history to build a domestic agency of violence specialists at the scale of ICE before now.
Expanding gun ownership in response to ICE’s horrific violence is not a path toward safety or liberation, argues epidemiologist Rachel Hoopsick.
It is a path to more death, more political weakness, and deeper entrenchment of the very forces the Left opposes.
It is a path to more death, more political weakness, and deeper entrenchment of the very forces the Left opposes.
Arming Ourselves Isn’t the Answer to Rising Authoritarianism
Expanding gun ownership in response to ICE’s horrific violence is not a path toward safety or liberation, argues epidemiologist Rachel Hoopsick. It is a path to more death, more political weakness, and deeper entrenchment of the very forces the Left opposes.
jacobin.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Expanding gun ownership in response to ICE’s horrific violence is not a path toward safety or liberation, argues epidemiologist Rachel Hoopsick.
It is a path to more death, more political weakness, and deeper entrenchment of the very forces the Left opposes.
It is a path to more death, more political weakness, and deeper entrenchment of the very forces the Left opposes.
At a hearing last week, an industry-backed Democrat absolved health insurance CEOs for America’s health care crisis.
That party leaders allow themselves to be seen as defenders of the insurance industry shows just how out of touch they are.
That party leaders allow themselves to be seen as defenders of the insurance industry shows just how out of touch they are.
Democrats Are Way Out of Touch on Health Care
At a hearing last week, an industry-backed Democrat absolved health insurance CEOs for America’s health care crisis. That party leaders allow themselves to be seen as defenders of the insurance industry shows just how out of touch they are.
jacobin.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM
At a hearing last week, an industry-backed Democrat absolved health insurance CEOs for America’s health care crisis.
That party leaders allow themselves to be seen as defenders of the insurance industry shows just how out of touch they are.
That party leaders allow themselves to be seen as defenders of the insurance industry shows just how out of touch they are.
After Nicolás Maduro was kidnapped by US forces, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s president.
She has a long record in the Chavista camp, but she faces an uphill battle in dealing with her country’s compromised sovereignty.
She has a long record in the Chavista camp, but she faces an uphill battle in dealing with her country’s compromised sovereignty.
Delcy Rodríguez Heads a Compromised Bolivarian State
After Nicolás Maduro was kidnapped by US forces, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s president. She has a long record in the Chavista camp, but she faces an uphill battle in dealing with her country’s compromised sovereignty.
jacobin.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:59 PM
After Nicolás Maduro was kidnapped by US forces, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s president.
She has a long record in the Chavista camp, but she faces an uphill battle in dealing with her country’s compromised sovereignty.
She has a long record in the Chavista camp, but she faces an uphill battle in dealing with her country’s compromised sovereignty.
Released just before Christmas, Donald Trump’s National Security Strategy memo is a bizarre and frightening manifesto for MAGA’s second term.
To help make sense of the document, Jacobin turned to Latin American historian Greg Grandin.
To help make sense of the document, Jacobin turned to Latin American historian Greg Grandin.
Trump’s New National Security Memo Is 30 Pages of Insanity
Released just before Christmas, Donald Trump’s National Security Strategy memo is a bizarre and frightening manifesto for MAGA’s second term. To help make sense of the document, Jacobin turned to Latin American historian Greg Grandin.
jacobin.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Released just before Christmas, Donald Trump’s National Security Strategy memo is a bizarre and frightening manifesto for MAGA’s second term.
To help make sense of the document, Jacobin turned to Latin American historian Greg Grandin.
To help make sense of the document, Jacobin turned to Latin American historian Greg Grandin.
Eyeing a possible regime change in Cuba, US corporations see an opportunity to recoup assets lost in revolutionary seizures many decades ago.
The Supreme Court, at the urging of the Trump administration, might soon clear the way for them.
The Supreme Court, at the urging of the Trump administration, might soon clear the way for them.
US Companies Prepare to Profit From Regime Change in Cuba
Eyeing a possible regime change in Cuba, US corporations see an opportunity to recoup assets lost in revolutionary seizures many decades ago. The Supreme Court, at the urging of the Trump administration, might soon clear the way for them.
jacobin.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Eyeing a possible regime change in Cuba, US corporations see an opportunity to recoup assets lost in revolutionary seizures many decades ago.
The Supreme Court, at the urging of the Trump administration, might soon clear the way for them.
The Supreme Court, at the urging of the Trump administration, might soon clear the way for them.
Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is a shocking, innovative, and darkly comic film about the pressures of life under capitalism.
It’s more proof that the Oldboy director is nothing less than a cinematic master.
It’s more proof that the Oldboy director is nothing less than a cinematic master.
No Other Choice Is Another Masterpiece by Park Chan-wook
Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is a shocking, innovative, and darkly comic film about the pressures of life under capitalism. It’s more proof that the Oldboy director is nothing less than a cinematic master.
jacobin.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is a shocking, innovative, and darkly comic film about the pressures of life under capitalism.
It’s more proof that the Oldboy director is nothing less than a cinematic master.
It’s more proof that the Oldboy director is nothing less than a cinematic master.
From agriculture to meatpacking to service work, immigration enforcement functions as labor discipline.
Minnesota’s mass strike against ICE points toward a reckoning with the agency that the labor movement can’t avoid.
Minnesota’s mass strike against ICE points toward a reckoning with the agency that the labor movement can’t avoid.
Why Labor Unions Can’t Ignore ICE
From agriculture to meatpacking to service work, immigration enforcement functions as labor discipline. Minnesota’s mass strike against ICE points toward a reckoning with the agency that the labor movement can’t avoid.
jacobin.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:14 PM
From agriculture to meatpacking to service work, immigration enforcement functions as labor discipline.
Minnesota’s mass strike against ICE points toward a reckoning with the agency that the labor movement can’t avoid.
Minnesota’s mass strike against ICE points toward a reckoning with the agency that the labor movement can’t avoid.
The US spends far less on social programs than comparable nations, and red-tape barriers ensure that millions who qualify for help never receive it.
Republicans are further eviscerating the safety net when we should be repairing and expanding it.
Republicans are further eviscerating the safety net when we should be repairing and expanding it.
The Already Tattered US Safety Net Is Fraying Even More
The US spends far less on social programs than comparable nations, and red-tape barriers ensure that millions who qualify for help never receive it. Republicans are further eviscerating the safety net when we should be repairing and expanding it.
jacobin.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:29 PM
The US spends far less on social programs than comparable nations, and red-tape barriers ensure that millions who qualify for help never receive it.
Republicans are further eviscerating the safety net when we should be repairing and expanding it.
Republicans are further eviscerating the safety net when we should be repairing and expanding it.
Tech capitalists are now marketing the ability to customize your baby’s inherited traits.
The process is currently unable to deliver on its promises — but it raises serious concerns about the prospect of genetically encoding inequality.
The process is currently unable to deliver on its promises — but it raises serious concerns about the prospect of genetically encoding inequality.
Silicon Valley’s Latest Dubious Offering: Designer Babies
Tech capitalists are now marketing the ability to customize your baby’s inherited traits. The process is currently unable to deliver on its promises — but it raises serious concerns about the prospect of genetically encoding inequality.
jacobin.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Tech capitalists are now marketing the ability to customize your baby’s inherited traits.
The process is currently unable to deliver on its promises — but it raises serious concerns about the prospect of genetically encoding inequality.
The process is currently unable to deliver on its promises — but it raises serious concerns about the prospect of genetically encoding inequality.