Long Read

Turbulence in Macron’s France: A Recent History

Nicolas Jara-Joly and Thierry Labica

Between his hated pension reforms, handling of the pandemic, open disdain for the democratic process and frequent recourse to police repression, Emmanuel Macron's teflon sheen has well and truly worn off. Nicolas Jara-Joly and Theirry Labica survey 'La Macronie' so far and look ahead to 2022's presidential election.

Long read: When and why were police forces first invented? Connor Woodman takes a look - and argues that far from protecting communities from ‘crime’, the police’s role has always been to control and discipline the working class.

Get Angry Then Get Free: The Political Necessity of Rioting in Dismantling the System

Joshua Virasami

As protestors rise up across the world following the murder of George Floyd, it's vital we see rioting as a legitimate form of protest in the struggle for freedom within racial capitalism, writes Black Lives Matter activist Joshua Virasami in an in-depth long read.

Detained Migrants Are Workers. They Belong in the Trade Union Movement

Isaac Ricca-Richardson and Franck Magennis

With detained migrants encouraged to work for slave wages, rather than treating them as victims devoid of agency, trade unions must instead bring them into the movement, write Isaac Ricca-Richardson and Franck Magennis.

How Grime’s Origins Show a Path to Cultural Resistance

Charlotte Watson

Forged in the shadow of London's financial district, criminalised by the state and locked out of the mainstream music establishment, Charlotte Watson reflects on the lessons we can learn from grime's early years.

Literally Just Vibing: How Music Streaming Platforms Manipulate History, Legacy and Emotion

Fred M-G

In this long read, music-maker Fred M-G takes a closer look at how the "sonic wallpaper" curated by the music streaming services upon which we now rely flattens and sanitises music's history and potency.

Bernie 2020 and the Challenges of Big Organising

Calum Jacobs

The tactics used in Bernie Sanders' 2020 election campaign have yielded some big wins and a string of losses. In this week's long read, Calum Jacobs looks at Sanders' use of so-called big organising and how it has helped - and hurt - his chances at the Democratic win.

What’s the Deal With the Green New Deal?

Alex Wood

In this long read, sociologist Alex Wood explores the limitations of current discussions around the green new deal, and asks what it would take to make the programme reflect workers' everyday experiences of capitalism.

Labour’s Economic Plans: What Went Wrong?

James Meadway

In this post-election long read, James Meadway explains how Labour’s 2019 plans got caught up in policy at the expense of politics.

The Centrist Delusion: ‘Middle Ground’ Politics Aren’t Moderate, They’re Dangerous

Raoul Martinez

In every civilisation, the centre ground of political opinion has been home to dangerous, inaccurate and oppressive ideas. The toxic centrism currently pervading Britain and rest of the world requires a rapid, bold, ambitious change of direction, writes Raoul Martinez.

In the North’s Leave-Voting Seats, Disillusionment Is Labour’s Biggest Enemy

Craig Gent

With Labour engaged in a last minute battle to shore up northern support, Craig Gent reports on the party's struggle with disillusionment - and what can be done about it.

How Hostile Environment Confusion Is Continuing to Damage Asylum Seekers’ Health

Will Neal

Despite the formal suspension of data-sharing practices between NHS Digital and the Home Office in the wake of the Windrush scandal, the policy has left behind a legacy which continues to create confusion among medical practitioners while putting up barriers for people fleeing danger.