| Dear WSWS reader, Have you donated yet to the WSWS New Year Fund? If not, please visit wsws.org/donate and contribute today. You can donate by credit card, PayPal or mail. The year 2017 ends under extraordinary conditions. Global political relations have reached a level of tension not seen since the Second World War. Capitalist governments around the world are remilitarizing. Far right and fascistic forces are on the rise. Coordinated efforts are underway to censor the Internet and block access to left-wing and socialist views. Underlying everything is the extreme growth of social inequality. Today, Bloomberg reports that the world's richest people increased their wealth by $1 trillion in 2017, more than four times last year's gains. Meanwhile, billions of workers and young people face unemployment, low-wages, indebtedness, poverty and other manifestations of economic and social distress. Masses of people around the world are looking for a program and perspective to oppose war, inequality, dictatorship and the capitalist system. Despite the efforts of Google and other internet censors, the readership of the WSWS is growing. But we have much more work to do in 2018. We do not have the financial backing of any of the modern-day pharos. We need your support. Please make your contribution to the New Year Fund today! Read more and donate now | 