Labor/Economics

Fertility rates are falling across much of the world, with most countries now below or approaching replacement levels. This article examines the demographic shift through the lens of capitalism, gender relations, and changing social priorities. Drawing on research by Claudia Goldin, Julia M. Puaschunder, and others, it argues that declining fertility cannot be explained by economic costs or women’s empowerment alone. It explores how workplace demands, unequal domestic responsibilities, and market-driven lifestyles shape reproductive choices, and considers the implications for ageing societies, labour markets, and countries such as India that face demographic transition before sustained economic prosperity.

Parallels can be drawn between MAGA in the United States and retrograde elements domestically, as well as other Western imperialist states.

With Pete Hegseth’s claim that the war against Iran has now cost the US $37.5 billion, I wanted to tie this spending to the war against American workers, looking at the period from 1947 to 2005 in great detail, and general detail thereafter. The elites, under both the Democrats and Republicans, are killing us: from 2001-2005, under W, over 80% of all American families lost income! Well worth your consideration!

Digital platforms have transformed culture into a system shaped by algorithms, advertising, and data. This article revisits the idea of the cultural industry to examine how social media influences identity, creativity, and consumption among Gen Z. It explores the rise of micro-dramas, influencer culture, algorithm-driven trends, and the growing shift toward private online spaces as young people seek more authentic forms of connection. It argues that understanding how digital platforms operate is essential for preserving individual autonomy. Critical media literacy, the article suggests, is an important step toward reclaiming agency in an increasingly commercialized digitalenvironment.

‛The Lithium Frontier: Empire, Oligarchs, and the Struggle for the Salt Flats of the Andes’; ‛Lithium Mining: A New Mineral Rush Spearheaded by the United States, Europe, and Other Major Powers

South Africa’s migration debate often focuses on border control, documentation and xenophobia, while paying less attention to the conditions that drive migration across the African continent. This article argues that economic stagnation, political instability and limited opportunities in neighbouring countries are central to understanding migration patterns. It examines South Africa’s own social and economic challenges, the political use of anti-immigration rhetoric, and the regional dynamics that shape migration flows. The article calls for a broader conversation that addresses both the realities facing migrants and the structural conditions that compel many people to leave their homes.

Reports on support for Palestine and its Workers at the 2026 Labor Notes conference, June 12-14, 2026

A new analysis by the Project On Government Oversight argues that the real cost of maintaining the U.S. military is far higher than officially reported. By examining spending across multiple agencies and including long-term obligations and debt-related costs, the study estimates total military-related expenditures in 2025 at between $1.5 trillion and $2.3 trillion. The authors contend that decades of fragmented budgeting have obscured the true scale of U.S. war spending. They call for greater transparency and reforms that would allow the public and lawmakers to assess military priorities alongside social and environmentalneeds.

South Africa’s growing anti-migrant movement blames Black African migrants for unemployment, crime, and strained public services, despite limited evidence supporting these claims. Khwezi Mabasa argues that the country’s deep economic inequalities are rooted in decades of deindustrialization, labor market precarity, and policy choices rather than migration. Drawing on research and labor data, the article examines how migrants occupy a small share of the workforce and are often concentrated in insecure, low-paid jobs. It calls for evidence-based reforms aimed at expanding employment, strengthening labor protections, and addressing the structural causes of exclusion and inequality.