Politics Theory Other

Leo Panitch joins me to discuss his recent article in Tribune Magazine on Ralph Miliband's classic work, The State in Capitalist Society. We discuss Miliband's theory of the state, his criticism of liberal pluralist accounts of the industrialised democracies, his debates with Nicos Poulantzas, and the relevance of his work to the Corbyn project. You can read Leo's article here: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2019/06/milibands-masterpiece

In the latest episode of #RedHacks, Joana Ramiro talks to writer and filmmaker Juliet Jacques. Sound by @japinto Listen to other episodes in the series here: soundcloud.com/poltheoryother/sets/redhacks

Alexander Gallas, author of 'The Thatcherite Offensive: A Neo-Poulantzasian Analysis' joins me to discussed the degree of popular support for the political and economic project of the Thatcher government, the debates between Stuart Hall and Bob Jessop on the nature of Thatcherite hegemony, and we also chatted about the way in which the New Labour era can be seen as a consolidation of Thatcherite neoliberalism.

Extinction Rebellion co-founder Roger Hallam joins me to discuss the organisational model of XR. We also chatted about the booklet Roger has written on the strategy of XR - 'Common Sense for the 21st Century: Only Nonviolent Rebellion Can Now Stop Climate Breakdown and Social Collapse'. And finally we also discussed the criticism XR has come in for regarding its tactics of mass arrest and a perceived failure to properly engage with people and communities of colour.

Christine Berry discusses 'People Get Ready: Preparing for a Corbyn Government' a new book authored by Christine together with Joe Guinan. We spoke about the likely backlash a Corbyn government would face from the business class and transnational finance and what strategies the Labour movement can adopt to defeat its opponents. We also chatted about the possible lessons for the left from the Thatcher government's victory over the unions and the labour movement in the 1980s as well as Labour's programme for economic democracy. You can read an extract from People Get Ready on the Tribune Magazine website: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2019/05/what-a-corbyn-government-would-mean

Adom Getachew joins me to discuss the liberation struggles of anti-colonial movements in Africa and the Caribbean in the twentieth century and the way in which they sought to construct a new global order that might secure real independence in the international system. We spoke about those efforts, as well her characterisation of the League of Nations, and associated figures, such as US president Woodrow Wilson, as essentially racist and counter revolutionary in nature, as well as the way the invasion of Ethiopia, by Mussolini's Italy in 1935 was articulated in ways that presage the modern era of humanitarian intervention.

Owen Hatherley joins me to discuss the music and life of the late Scott Walker. We spoke about his journey from teen heartthrob with the Walker Brothers, to the creator of some of the most challenging music in the history of pop. We discuss the big band, crooner tradition that Walker emerged from, the radical break in his work with 1978's Nite Flights and the political pessimism of his later records. To accompany the episode here is a playlist of Walker's work: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xEf8KGVxK6IRpKSLc6FOS

Hilary Aked on Islamophobia and the European counter-jihad movement, its entwinement with state run counter extremism programmes, and its relationship with the traditional far right. Hilary is the co-author of a recent report on the topic from Spinwatch.org: http://powerbase.info/images/6/6c/Aked-Jones-Miller-Counterjihad_report-2019.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3AeljMjU0o8Vxv1qOtGks2YFTmjzkQ0srJAJgfAC7KeQs7YwOQ8Sm6tyA Support Politics Theory Other via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/poltheoryother // Follow the show on Twitter and Facebook: @poltheoryother

Dawn Foster joins PTO to discuss her Tribune article on religion and socialism. We spoke about the relationship between Marxism and religion, how secular and religious leftists can work together in the fight against poverty, and the legacy of so-called 'new atheism.' Read Dawn's article here: https://tribunemag.co.uk/2019/01/love-thy-neighbour?fbclid=IwAR3ON8P4afFNwwH7E2eikqfk9Cx7Cs2k1jmoT4I0s363MfD-AIpEUa5ZzF4

Ash Sarkar joins me to discuss the causes of the Brexit vote, the case for Lexit, the strategy of the People's Vote campaign and the prospects for Change UK. If you would like to hear the extended version of this episode, please consider becoming a PTO supporter: https://www.patreon.com/poltheoryother