Public Services - consumer good or human right?

Privatisation Follies
Boris Kagarlitsky
Who will benefit from a second wave of privatisation in Russia?

Venezuela's CANTV: What should a 21st century "socialist” telecommunications company look like?
Nick Buxton interviews Daniel Chavez
Venezuela's revolution has often been tied to the slogan “Socialism in the 21st Century.” What might that might mean concretely in changes under way in the renationalised state telecommunications company, CANTV?

Look to Trondheim: Alternatives for public sector reform in Europe
Matthew Little
With privatisation failing to deliver good quality public services, what are the alternatives to ‘there is no alternative’? From workers’ initiatives in Norway and Newcastle to renew the welfare state, to citizen-led participatory budgeting in Italy and Spain, Mathew Little goes in search of innovative public sector reforms in Europe.

Public Service Reform, but not as we know it!
Hilary Wainwright and Matthew Little
The reform of Newcastle City Councils Public Services shattered the myth that public sectors cannot reform or improve themselves. As much as £3.5 billion could be saved if Government followed its example. This report from 2009 should be read by all striving to change Public Services for the better.

Reclaiming Public Water

The groundbreaking book on how reformed public water services can achieve the goal of delivering water for all. An ever expanding iconic compilation available in multiple languages, including French, Arabic, Spanish, Japanese and more.

Primer on reforming Public Water Services
Satoko Kashimoto
A beginners guide to the best way of reforming public water services. A stepping stone to the comprehensive and ever growing book 'Reclaiming Public Water'

Beyond the Market: The Future of Public Services
Compilation
This yearbook is not just a compilation of articles. It is also a call to arms. Privatisation is not inevitable; we can and must react to protect, preserve and reclaim our public service inheritance. Without extensive, universally distributed public services, there is no way the world can realise the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals.

The Emerging Geo-Strategic Landscape in Central Asia
Ross Eventon
Shifting alliances and deployment of troops in the region mark the struggle for control over the energy reserves in Central Asia by China, Russa and the US. One of its latest developments is the agreement to start constructing the TAPI pipeline next year.

In Afghanistan Speech, Obama Offers Token Troop Withdrawals While Maintaining the "War on Terror” Mindset
Phyllis Bennis
President Obama passed up an opportunity to recognize US democracy and respect the views of the vast majority of the American people.

The World Bank's Africa Strategy 
Patrick Bond
Whose interest does the ten-year Strategy document for Africa actually serve? The World Bank has shown little insight into the real problems Africa faces, focusing instead on ineffective policies, support for repressive regimes and projects that are known to have failed.

Spain: The 'Indignant’ and the Paris Commune
Atilio Boron
One hundred and forty years after the Paris Commune similar demands for democratic change resonate strongly in Spain. Recent mass mobilisations show the Spanish people have had enough of politics that serve only the interests of a few, while public interests are subordinated to the profit imperatives of big business.

Nukes and India
Praful Bidwai
Have our rulers decided to place India on the wrong side of history and arrest her social progress? Going by their policy of forcibly promoting nuclear power regardless of its hazards, environmental damage potential, high economic and social costs, and unpopularity, that seems to be the case.

Call for Dialogue and Urgent International Engagement to Support Non‐Military Solutions in Northern Myanmar

Following new eruptions of violence in Northern Myanmar multiple civil society organizations issued this statement calling for urgent international engagement and dialogue to support non-military solutions.

Global Commission on Drug Policy Chair Responds to Release of UN’s 2011 World Drug Report

Former Brazilian President concerned that report is being presented by US and Russian Drug czars. Calls on UN leadership to break the taboo on vigorous debate about alternatives to global drug prohibition Regime.

La "Declaración de Roma"
Amira Armenta
En el marco de una conferencia sobre drogas y tóxico dependencia organizada por diversas entidades italianas en junio de 2011, los magistrados participantes de Italia, Argentina, Portugal y otros países latinos redactaron la “Declaración de Roma”.

¿Qué hay de nuevo en el debate actual sobre el régimen global de las drogas?
Ricardo Vargas
Ricardo Vargas hace un examen crítico del análisis y las propuestas del reciente informe de la Comisión Global de políticas de drogas.