Class Struggle Built the Welfare State
The welfare state wasn’t created by enlightened dialogue or ‘sensible’ moderate politics. It was a concession won by workers from the business class – through decades of struggle.
3626 Articles by:
Billy Anania
Billy Anania is an art critic, editor, and journalist in New York City.
There are Other Worlds Than This
Jack Latham’s records made under the name Jam City are intensely political – not as protest songs written on acoustic guitars, but in the radical texture and ideas conveyed by the music itself.
What Does it Mean to Be Working Class in the Arts?
A new online exhibition exposes the financial and cultural obstacles working-class artists face breaking through – and offers a reminder of the distinctive perspective workers bring to the arts.
The Colour Bar at the Border
For decades, ‘concern’ about immigration to Britain sought to preserve the racial hierarchies of the empire – and imperial notions of ‘us’ and ‘them’ continue to affect our political discourse today.
Portugal’s Drugs Strategy Could Work in Britain
Portugal decriminalised drug possession for personal use 20 years ago – and as more countries swap a criminal approach for a public health one, Britain’s failure to adapt looks increasingly outdated.
Competitive Policing Is a Terrible Idea
Priti Patel is reportedly drawing up plans for police force league tables. It’s a market-logic method that’s been shown to reproduce inequality elsewhere – and risks making police brutality even worse.
The Revolving Door Spins On
‘Sleaze’ and ‘chumocracy’ have been features of the past year’s politics, but corruption is nothing new – it’s a feature of a system where politicians and corporate lobbyists are often the same people.
After the Bodies Piled Up
The debate over Boris Johnson’s comments is a reminder that Britain’s pandemic disaster wasn’t an act of god, it was a failure of government – as lockdown eases we should remember why so much was lost.
34. Border and Rule: An Interview with Harsha Walia
This week, Grace talks to author and organiser Harsha Walia about the role of borders in capitalism and imperialism, and how the Left can resist right-wing populism in the age of nationalism.
Covid-19 Exposed Britain’s Callous Disregard for Worker Safety
On International Workers’ Memorial Day, we remember those at the frontline who lost their lives to the pandemic – and the protective measures, from liveable sick pay to PPE, which could have saved them.
The War over Work
New books by Jon Cruddas and Amelia Horgan exploring work share much common ground, but come to radically different conclusions – exposing a deep generational divide over the future of the workplace.
The Dark Prince Returns
The Labour leadership’s decision to lean on Peter Mandelson in Hartlepool is just the latest sign that it is running out of ideas – and instead turning to discredited establishment hacks to bail it out.
Kwame Nkrumah’s Pan-African Socialism
Kwame Nkrumah, who died on this day in 1972, was a leader in the fight against colonialism. But he knew that independence wasn’t enough – only a unified, socialist Africa could truly free itself from its former masters.
Don’t Let Your Boss Spy on You
The shift to working from home has massively increased the capacity of bosses to spy on their workers, with new surveillance technologies becoming mandatory – it’s time to organise to protect our autonomy at work.
Patronising 101: How Universities Moralise over Hardship Funds
In order to access hardship funds, some universities are forcing students to undertake patronising courses on budgeting and ‘sensible’ spending – but inequality can’t be solved by not buying takeaways.
‘We Won’t Pay Glazer, Or Work for Sky’: FCUM’s Fan-Owned Revolution
As a supporter-owned club with a proud commitment to the wellbeing of the local community, FC United of Manchester shows that there’s an future for football beyond corporate greed – if we’re willing to fight for it.
Let the People Piss
Hundreds of public toilets across Britain have been closed by a decade of austerity, meaning many people have to pay in pubs or cafés to go to the toilet – it amounts to the privatisation of taking a piss.
The Enduring Legacy of Berlin’s Rent Cap
This month, Berlin’s rent cap was overturned by Germany’s constitutional court, leaving tenants facing millions in back payments – but the idea remains a popular solution to the growing urban housing crisis.
How Motherwell Is Leading the Way for Fan-Owned Football
In 2016, Motherwell became the first top-flight club in Britain to be owned by its fans. Five years later, their model has strengthened ties with the local community – and provided a real alternative to corporate football.
Labour’s Climate Open Goal
Polling shows huge public support for climate action, and a Green New Deal could revive the very parts of the economy worst hit by Covid and austerity – but Labour is refusing to make a bold case for change.