THE WORLD is a more divided and unjust place than ever before. Over the last ten years the growth of inequality on a world scale has consigned more than one fifth of the World's population to live on $1 or less day, while the rich have watched their profits soar. The capitalist domination of the world means only one thing - continued misery and exploitation for millions of youth and workers throughout the world.

However, this has not been met with silence. The last three years have seen a growing response to the massive inequality of capitalism. A movement against the system has developed throughout many parts of the world. 300,000 marched in Genoa against the G8, against the rulers of the eight richest nations and against police brutality. Countless uprisings have taken place in Latin America. Recent events in Argentina have not only exposed the bankruptcy of capitalism, but are also a clear indication of the redevelopment of struggle. In Serbia, it was the role of youth that inspired the movement that toppled the hated dictator Milosevic. These movements are the first steps in preparing for a new mass movement of the working class internationally.

The working class, through their labour, create all the goods that are needed in society. They provide the services - such as electricity and health that we cannot do without. Every building you see, every product you buy or use would not exist or function without the labour of the working class. Because of this, the working class are the most powerful force in society and are the biggest threat to the system. By withdrawing their labour and refusing to co-operate, the working class can bring capitalism to its knees. When the working class moves into action, we will see the anti-capitalist movement take huge leaps forward and with this, the genuine ideas of socialism will be put firmly back on the agenda.

The world economy is entering into recession. This will affect every corner of the globe, including the economies of Ireland, north and south. For us, this new crisis of capitalism does not come as a surprise. More than 150 years ago Karl Marx explained that capitalism could not sustain economic growth and that booms would always be followed by recessions. This analysis is confirmed by what is happening now.

If "crisis" is part and parcel of the system of capitalism, then the answer is not to try to fix or change the system, but to end it. This then puts the need for an alternative on the agenda. Capitalism means the private ownership of the factories and big financial institutions, which are only run for profit. Under capitalism the economy is run only to create profit for a rich minority. Socialist Youth believes the only alternative is to take the banks and big industries into public ownership. This means that society, as a whole, would own these resources and those goods would be produced and planned according to what is needed and not to make profit. In reality, this means a socialist society.

After ten years of growth, the south is facing recession. This generation of young people have grown up without unemployment and the guarantee of a job when you finish school, college or university. As a recession takes hold nothing is guaranteed for young people. This situation of an uncertain future can cause huge anger and battles of young people, particularly young workers who will be forced to fight to save their jobs.

In the north, the same applies. The reality of low pay and the threat of mass unemployment all exist. But there is also the added horror of sectarianism. While the politicians at the top have come together, on the ground sectarianism has widened, especially amongst young people. A recent survey shows this; according to the survey, 68% of young people have never had a meaningful conversation with someone from another denomination. Young people have the most to lose from a society divided along sectarian lines.

The Troubles were a direct result of the divide and rule tactics of the capitalist class. Sectarian divisions were created and fostered by the capitalist class, in order to weaken any united action by working and young people, to defend their capitalist system and interests. During the late 'sixties, layers of youth were radicalised by revolutionary struggles around the world. The ideas of socialism were becoming more and more popular. However, instead of building a socialist movement, which could have won the support of Catholic and Protestant workers and youth, the leadership of the civil rights movement and the workers' organisations held the movement back and eventually adopted sectarian positions. Tragically, the frustration and desperation at the failure of those movements unfortunately led to a whole generation of working class youth entering the paramilitary organisations. The wrong ideas and methods of the paramilitary and sectarian organisations not only failed, but have also contributed to an even more polarised situation than ever before. Unless a socialist alternative, which can unite Protestant and Catholic youth and workers, is built, a severe sectarian conflict will emerge in the future. Now, more than ever, a socialist alternative needs to be built urgently to offer today's youth a new way forward.

Some people argue that young people today are apathetic and don't care about what is happening in society in Ireland or internationally. Thorough our work in Socialist Youth we know that this is not the case. Recent events in Ireland and internationally have shown that significant layers of youth are questioning the system, moving into action and are looking for an alternative. We are building the socialist alternative. But it is not enough to raise our banner. We believe that an alternative must be built, not just posed. Therefore, Socialist Youth is active on all issues that affect young people and it is through our campaigns and activities that we build Socialist Youth.

Historically, young people have always played a key role in the struggle for change. Every single previous generation of young people have taken up the struggle against capitalism. We take it up at a time when the working class is stronger than ever before, when tens of thousands are taking to the streets, from Buenos Aires to Belfast, when the need for a socialist alternative has never been greater. Socialist Youth is posed to become one of the fastest growing youth organisations in Ireland. We can quickly win hundreds of young people to our banner and can become a very serious force to be reckoned with. If you want to fight war, racism, low pay and sectarianism, if you want to be part of the fight for a new society, where peoples' needs come before the bosses' greed, then join Socialist Youth and get active!

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