The Burner Episode #230: Enemies, Foreign and Domestic
How will the lockdown end? James Butler asks: why is the US so intent on blaming China? Do states need ‘official enemies’?
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The Burner Episode #229: the Cause of Labour Is the Hope of the World
James Butler delves into the strike wave prompted by the coronavirus: might the pandemic mean a stronger position for workers? Plus, we hear from a participant in Oxford’s vaccine trial. And James wishes a happy birthday to Resonance FM.
The Burner Episode #228: Boris Johnson’s Two Bodies
Ash Sarkar ponders whether the media’s elevation of Boris Johnson to symbol of the nation’s health is a sign of something rotten in the state of politics. Plus, Matt Hancock’s testing pledge comes a cropper as South Korea’s test, trace and isolate strategy bears fruit.
The Burner Episode #227: Behemoth Pulls the Peasant’s Plough?
‘Stare long enough at a bean, or a grain, or an ear of corn, and you’ll begin to see everything – the whole world – inside it.’ James Butler dives into pandemic food shocks and the deep links between capitalist farming and viral outbreaks.
The Burner Episode #226: Labour Pains + Food Crisis
Aaron Bastani asks: where on earth is Labour going on economic policy? Can it avoid fighting the last war? Plus, James Butler asks: are we facing a food crisis? Why?
The Burner Episode #225: Disaster, Natural and Man-made
Why are Tory politicians speaking about the pandemic as if it’s just a natural disaster? Will the borders close for good – and what happens where they’re already locked shut? Plus, Dominic Cummings in the room: does it matter?
The Burner Episode #224: Covid Conspiracy Theories
From 5G to bioweapons to “globalism”, the pandemic provides ample material for conspiracy theorists. James Butler asks: why? And does it tell us anything about the nature of politics?
The Burner Episode #223: Comrade Starmer Steps Up
Keir Starmer took on his first PMQs yesterday: Ash Sarkar asks what we learned about his strategy. What’s changed since Corbyn? Plus, experts and NHS workers ask you to #ChantforPPE
The Burner Episode #222: One Time a Great Nation
Aaron Bastani asks: what does the pandemic reveal about Britain’s real position in the world? Plus, James Butler takes a look at the European tussle over how to pay for the recovery.
The Burner Episode #221: Of Cows and Coffee
How bad could the economic crisis get? Who will it touch? What hope of recovery – and what shape will it take? And does political leadership really matter?
The Burner Episode #220: They Knew
An explosive story over the weekend exposed just some of the government’s failures in dealing with the pandemic. James Butler asks: what did they know? And what do we know?
The Economy Goes on Holiday
James Butler is joined by Will Davies, to discuss the ‘holiday of exchange value’ and the political economy of the pandemic.
The Burner Episode #219: Steer Calmer With Keir Starmer
Can Keir Starmer’s opposition strategy enable a pro-social lifting of the lockdown measures? Plus, a look into New Zealand’s response to the lockdown.
The Burner Episode #218: Dystopia Now?
The lockdown is about to be renewed – but what do we actually know about the scientific group advising on it? Plus, why is dystopia in such easy reach in responses to the pandemic?
The Burner Episode #217: a Tech Exit to Covid-19?
James Butler asks: what would a tech-led exit from lockdown look like? And James Meadway tells us what we should make of the OBR’s ‘bouncing ball’ scenario on the economic shock.
The Burner Episode #216: Labour Leaks and UK’s Coronavirus Response
Ash Sarkar tackles the weekend’s leak of an internal Labour dossier and what it reveals about what was going on at the top of the party. Plus, leading thinkers on the left tell us about how the UK should really be responding to the coronavirus crisis.
The Burner Episode #215: UK Government, Brazil and Nature’s Return
James Butler asks: can Covid-19 tell us anything about climate change? Vincent Bevins brings us the lowdown on the crisis in Brazil. Michael Walker delivers a verdict on the UK government’s handling of the pandemic.
#ACFM Microdose: Acid Lockdown
The #ACFM crew discuss life in lockdown including cheese care packs, the moral economy, and the crisis of liberalism.