December 6, 2018
The 'gilets jaunes' protests have shocked France, expressing a profound exasperation and anger that goes much deeper than frustration at a fuel tax. This is clearly a movement from below, of the people. But it is leaderless and thus far rejects affiliation with political parties. How far can it go? Is Macron's government at risk? This isn't the 'start-up nation' he dreamed of...
Readings:
We're With The Rebels, by Aurélie Dianara (Jacobin)
November 19, 2018
Theresa May's Brexit deal seems to have satisfied no one. Britain doesn't properly leave, nor does it stay, it just becomes a passive rule-taker. What are the prospects for the UK actually leaving? Will there be a second referendum? And does the difficulty in seeing through Brexit confirm that "there is no alternative"?
Readings:
The Full Brexit: for popular sovereignty, democracy and economic renewal
Costas Lapavitsas: Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour vs. the Single Market
July 4, 2018
In which we survey Turkey's election results in light of five years of tumult - Gezi, economic downturn, terrorist attacks, Syrian war, coup, repression. Are cracks beginning to show for Erdogan? He teamed up with ultranationalists, while opposition secularists and Islamists joined forces, but Erdogan held on. How demoralised are the Turkish people, and what are the prospects for the Left? We conclude by debating whether Erdogan represents a generalisable type of political leader today: initally moderate and neoliberal, but tacking increasingly authoritarian and socially conservative.
May 31, 2018
In which we discuss why the Left should not to be scared of sovereignty: Brexit, Italexit, and Modern Monetary Theory
May 2, 2018
In which we debate whether Portugal really represents an alternative to austerity
April 10, 2018
In which we unpick another Fidesz's victory and ask whether neoliberalism in an nationalist-authoritarian shell is the future
March 14, 2018
In which we debate the 'equal opportunities revolution': how race & gender has changed, in the workplace & beyond
February 28, 2018
In which we debate the upcoming Italian elections. Also corruption, bunga bunga, communism, migrants, fascism, & Europe.
August 18, 2017
Bonus Content: Jason Walsh talks to us about the relationship of populism & the media, and reactions to Macron's election in France
August 16, 2017
In which we ask if the news is dead. Also, is the crisis of the media all it's cracked up to be? Ft. Jason Walsh + some dodgy stock tips
