The Epstein scandal has revealed the shadowy web of extreme wealth, privileges, entitlement, and social climbers – such as Mandelson – that sits at the head of society; the open sewer at the apex of the capitalist system.

Rare—if not non-existent—are works that narrate so closely the unfolding of a coup and, above all, its defeat at the hands of the masses.

But with all due respect to our liberal commentators, this “unapologetic” imperialism is not purely a product of Donald Trump’s arrogance. Trump is merely the catalyst for a deep crisis within the system.

The second quarter of the 21st century will look markedly different than the first. Mass movements, militant strikes, general strikes, and eventually a full-blown revolutionary situation are in our future.

Cynical lies about international politics, militarism, austerity, job losses, all to kiss up to the United States. That is PSPP’s plan for Quebec. With sovereignty like this, who needs national oppression?

Lewis is right that we need to “take the power back from the price-fixing corporate cartels”. But to do that, we need a serious program—one that recognizes the need to cut these leeches out of the equation, and expropriate the Big Three companies without compensation.

In reality, the international legal system developed since World War II has never been an obstacle to imperialist aggression. The “rules-based world order” established in the postwar period is one of domination by Western countries, led by the United States, which have used it to conquer markets, steal natural resources, and exploit cheap labor across the globe.

The report paints a picture of a party in a deep existential crisis, trapped in financial freefall, discredited in the eyes of its traditional voter base and completely severed from its former grassroots methods.

The ensuing generalized work stoppage went far beyond the bounds of a normal mass demonstration. The unions may have raised the idea, but workers across the state took it and made it their own.

Being outnumbered 80-to-one, the small group of OneBC instigators were completely dwarfed by the counter-protest. This, in and of itself, was a big victory.