New Books in Critical Theory

Sam Wetherell, "Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain" (Bloomsbury, 2025)

Apr 8, 2025

Sam Wetherell, a Senior Lecturer at the University of York, discusses his book, Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain. He reveals how Liverpool's history reflects broader themes of obsolescence, state indifference, and community resilience. The conversation explores the city's role in trade, multiculturalism, and the impact of containerization on dock labor, highlighting the struggles of marginalized groups. Wetherell emphasizes the city's dual narrative of despair and solidarity, portraying Liverpool as a microcosm of contemporary political and social dynamics.

53:21

Episode guests

Sam Wetherell

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Quick takeaways

Liverpool's history exemplifies a dual narrative of obsolescence that highlights both socio-economic decline and community resilience amidst systemic inequalities.

The city's unique political landscape, shaped by Irish nationalism and racial disparities, provides critical insights into contemporary Britain's socio-political challenges.

Deep dives

Liverpool's Unique Historical Narrative

Liverpool's place in British history is often overlooked, as it has remained marginal in broader narratives that typically highlight industrial cities. Unlike other northern cities that thrived on industry, Liverpool’s economy has been largely shaped by trade, leading to unique political and social dynamics. Irish nationalism played a pivotal role in its political landscape, making it distinct in its political history, especially as it wasn't until the 1950s that a local Labour government emerged. This outlier status allows for Liverpool to be viewed as a critical lens through which modern Britain’s history and current socio-economic challenges can be understood.

Intro

2min

Liverpool: A Blueprint of History and Change

14min

Job Security and Racial Dynamics in Post-War Liverpool

4min

Containerization and Its Discontents: Liverpool’s Dock Transformation

20min

Heseltine and Urban Resilience

5min

Unity in Crisis: Liverpool's Response to Marginalization

6min

What does the history of Liverpool tell us about the future of Britain? In Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain (Bloomsbury, 2025), Sam Wetherall, a Senior Lecturer in the History of Britain and the World at the University of York, tells the story of the city through the lens of ‘obsolesce’. This powerful framework structures a narrative that sees the story of Liverpool as both one of state ineffectiveness, indifference, and brutality, and one of solidarity and alternative forms of community and organising. The analysis is rich with details, ranging widely across the city’s rich social, cultural and economic story. Offering Liverpool as a blueprint for pessimism and optimism, the book is essential reading across the humanities, social scientists, and anyone interested in politics, culture and society today.

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