For today’s youth, capitalism has meant nothing but economic crisis, climate catastrophe, authoritarianism, and war. The ruling class, unable to contain the crises of its system or the drive toward imperialist war, has embraced reaction. Recent months have brought a new wave of massive international revolts with young people at the fore. Responding to attacks on democratic rights, crumbling education systems, or housing unaffordability, they are united in righteous anger against the ruling elite stripping away our futures. These uprisings have demonstrated the critical role young people can play in sparking mass movements and drawing the working class and its organizations into broader political struggle. Together, they are shaking the foundations of this system, and have the potential to win serious victories with continued escalation.
India
India’s youth, who make up around two-thirds of the population, have shaken the far-right Modi regime with the October eruption of another wave of mass protests. In response to its historic electoral losses in 2024 and desperate to maintain its grip on power, Modi’s party purged over 130 million voters from the rolls, targeting minority and working-class voters in particular. Energized by its previous victory forcing the resignation of the Education Minister, the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party has demanded the resignation of the minister who oversaw this purge. Revealing cracks in strongman Modi’s power, this movement of tens of thousands has been met with extreme repression. Protests have linked up with the farmers’ movement, and must broaden further.
Spain
A movement of encampments, strikes, and mass protests against the housing crisis broke out across the Spanish state in September. It was sparked by outrage at the brutal eviction of disabled 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal by a corporate hedge fund, which led to her death. The movement has taken direct aim at the exploitative vulture funds and their vacant properties, demanding an eviction ban and 50% reduction of rent. The threat of a November 11 general strike has forced the ruling PSOE to propose temporary measures addressing housing unaffordability. Independent, democratic organization and continued mobilization will be critical, to prevent co-optation by the PSOE and win sweeping change.
France
The mass movement launched by high schoolers in France in late summer has persisted despite severe repression and the fall recess. High schoolers demanding adequate staffing and infrastructure, and outraged by the inequalities baked into the education system, launched blockades across the French state, beginning in its overseas territories. Protesters have stood in defiance of the racism baked into French capitalism and the threat of the far right. The students’ struggle has triggered the resurgence of the Yellow Vests movement against the cost-of-living crisis and converged with public sector workers’ fight for raises, fully-funded social services, and a higher minimum wage. November 5’s general strike brought almost 1.6 million protesters in 200 cities into the streets and shut down 2,000 workplaces, according to the CGT union.
Italy
Since October 17, hundreds of thousands of high school and university students across Italy have mobilized in opposition to militarism and for fully-funded public education, inspired by these other youth revolts. They have linked up with trade unions in revolt against the cost of living and Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government. October 30 was marked by a 24-hour general strike in over 50 cities, coordinated with international dockworkers’ anti-militarist action. Protests have been demonized, with acts of vandalism used to justify the deployment of the military and water cannons and the call for right-wing ultras to turn out to suppress the movement.
What Next?
In the face of attempts to quell these revolts through harsh repression, concessions, and cooptation, we can only rely on the mobilization of the full social power of the working class and its independent political expressions. It will take international coordination and organization, as is exemplified by the November 20 Youth Strike, to challenge a ruling class determined to plunge the planet into endless wars and devastation—at our expense, and for their profit. It’s critical that today’s movements learn the lessons of the “Gen Z revolts” of recent years: capitalism’s many crises can’t be solved by simply replacing one brand of capitalist politician with another. The entire economic system behind this misery needs to be uprooted.