News, views and fully automated luxury communism—presented and produced by Aaron Bastani.
Why Labour Lost – Interview With James Schneider
In 2017 Labour, under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, achieved 40% of the vote in a general election – increasing their share of the vote by 10%. Two years later, in December 2019, that fell to 32% – as the party slumped to its lowest number of seats since 1935. What explains the difference between […]
Control, Power and Resistance in the 21st Century. Interview With Cory Doctorow
What is the relationship between technology, society and politics? Is the former merely a tool for social control, or can it also open up new vistas of possibility and freedom? How can one become the other, and what does resistance look like in a world where culture, and digital culture, are increasingly constitutive of one […]
Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn
After the 2017 general election Labour under Jeremy Corbyn seemingly stood on the brink of power. From nowhere they had enjoyed the biggest increase in vote share of any party since 1945, depriving the Tories of their majority. But from there it was a story of Glastonbury to catastrophe and, last December, Labour gained their […]
‘Cultural Marxism’ Is a Far Right Conspiracy Theory
Cultural Marxism, increasingly mentioned by right-wing politicians, pundits and terrorists, is a conspiracy theory. But where does it come from, what does it mean and what is its political function for those who deploy it? Aaron Bastani traces the roots of the term from 1930s Germany through the fantasist ravings of Lyndon Larouche to its […]
In the Era of Coronavirus Is the High Street Facing Collapse?
They employ millions, and form the heartbeat of the economy, but are jobs on high streets – in retail and hospitality – now facing wipeout?
Downfall of the Donald? With Ana Kasparian
Will Pelosi be successfully primaried? Is the US economy about to collapse? And what are the actual chances Donald Trump will lose this November? Aaron Bastani is joined by Ana Kasparian of The Young Turks as they discuss the latest events across the Atlantic.
Britain. The Secret State? With Ian Cobain
The Secret State? While we often hear how Britain must remember its history, the British state goes to great lengths to do the very opposite. This week’s ‘The Bastani Factor’ sees Aaron joined by author & journalist Ian Cobain as they discuss the secrecy of the British state.
Britain and Coronavirus: It Couldn’t Have Been Worse
How bad has Britain’s response to the coronavirus been? Aaron Bastani looks at the data – and concludes that the evidence is damning.
Aaron Bastani Reacts to David Starkey’s Mask Off Moment
David Starkey’s appearance on Darren Grimes’s Youtube channel revealed the unashamed racism of Britain’s most prominent conservative historian.
The Hundred Years War on Palestine With Rashid Khalidi
The imminent annexation of parts of the West Bank represents the latest episode in a century long war against the Palestinian people. Tonight Aaron Bastani is joined by author and academic, Rashid Khalidi, to discuss 100 years of settlement, occupation and struggle.
Insurgent Empire With Priyamvada Gopal
While anti-colonialism was driven by those in the global south, it was often in conversation with the imperial core. Aaron Bastani talks to Priya Gopal about her book ‘Insurgent Empire’ and the relationship between anti-colonial resistance and British dissent.
What Is Black Radicalism? With Kehinde Andrews
In the era of #BlackLivesMatter questions of how race relates to power, the state and capitalism have become mainstream for the first time in decades. Aaron Bastani is joined by Kehinde Andrews, author of ‘Back to Black’, to discuss what a renewed politics of Black radicalism looks like in the 21st century.
Victims of Anti-Communism With Vincent Bevins
The historic sins of communism and fascism are well documented. Often ignored, however, is murder and violence done in the name of anti-communism, and how this underpinned new forms of empire during the Cold War. Aaron Bastani interviews author of ‘Jakarta Method’, Vincent Bevins, to examine the historic legacy of anti-communism, and the murder programs […]
The End of Policing With Alex Vitale
The killing of George Floyd has catalysed a wave of protest across the United States, with police violence central to the message of the powerful #BlackLivesMatter movement. Aaron Bastani interviews author of ‘The End of Policing’, Alex Vitale, to ask just how bad law enforcement is in the United States, and what can be done […]
Humankind: a Hopeful History – With Rutger Bregman
Last year Davos viral sensation Rutger Bregman toured the tv studios of Britain finding that “on average, British journalists are the least curious of all.” He found just one exception to this rule, his interview with Aaron Bastani for Novara Media. Rutger is back, this time promoting his new book Humankind which argues that altruism […]
Labour’s New Left: From Benn to 2024
For some the rise of Jeremy Corbyn was an expression of the ‘old left’. But Leo Panitch disagrees, saying its roots can be traced to a ‘new left’ that starts with Tony Benn. Aaron Bastani interviews the author of ‘Searching For Socialism’ asking about the past, and future, of the new left in Britain’s Labour […]
Britain and the Coronavirus: a Timeline of Failure
Despite previous claims by the government that it was well-prepared for the Coronavirus, Britain is now expected to have one of the highest death tolls in the world. In this video Aaron Bastani examines precisely what happened in recent months, and how public authorities – broadly unchallenged by the media – let a tragedy unfold.