George Kerevan analyses the current economic dynamic in China and its political consequences.

For this year’s lecture series, Conter has teamed up with the Havens-Wright Centre for Social Justice to bring you some of the seminal voices in socialist theory today. 2021’s lectures will reflect on the ongoing crisis of capitalism and the ongoing failure of the left to capitalise on the system’s failings.

David Jamieson argues that the coalition government means more phony ‘progress‘ for Scotland and that independence is the only basis for the new administration’s legitimacy.

Nancy Lindisfarne and Jonathan Neale take the long view of a military and political defeat for the United States and its allies.

Raymond Morrell reflects on Sharon Graham’s victory in her campaign to become General Secretary of Unite, and ask what comes next for the trade union movement.

David Jamieson responds to the Scottish Government’s call for Nato troops to remain in Afghanistan.

Some on the left have attacked anti-imperialism in the wake of the defeat of Corbynism. Michael Doyle argues that it is absolutely essential, and that the calamity in Afghanistan only underlines this.

Afghanistan has fallen to the Taliban in weeks. David Jamieson says this collapse should mark the end of ‘humanitarian intervention’ and that supporters of the war in Scottish politics should be held to account.

The British left is in a difficult place, but it would be worse still without a left leadership in the country’s largest union. Unite activist Ben Hayes urges union members to support the United Left candidate Steve Turner.

Edemilson Paraná rubbishes claims that Brazil’s economic and social crises have emerged from a lack of liberal reform, and examines the emerging project among Brazilian elites.

Eileen Reid recalls when class politics brought the eyes of the world to Scotland. The UCS work-in fight for employment, control and dignity speaks to modern Scotland where elites ignore social class.

Across Scotland, local governments are making cuts to services. George Kerevan provides his personal reflections on attempts by Edinburg District Council to resist austerity and marketisation in the 80s and 90s, and the lessons for today.

Jonathon Shafi surveys the increase in workplace militancy in Scotland and around the world, arguing a window of opportunity has been created for advances.

Ben Wray finds radical honesty in the Andreas Malm’s call for ecological War Communism, but wonders where the agency for such a shift will come from.

Alfredo Saad-Filho argues that the shift away from neoliberalism will give rise not to a new welfare consensus, but a protracted period of crisis and social conflict.

Historical Materialism has posted a useful exchange on the origins of British capitalism, which we repost to encourage debates on this question.

Canadian socialist David Bush argues that Henry Dundas, one of the most powerful men in Scottish history, should be remembered as a counter revolutionary, hated by Scots masses in his own day.

Derek McArthur argues that Sarwar is looking abroad in his frustrated quest to re-establish Scottish Labour, but that these efforts are unlikely to yield results.

David Jamieson asks if the dominant parties in England and Scotland are really that stable after a week that challenged both.

Ray Morell, a Unite rep in the Aerospace and Shipbuilding sector, argues that Sharon Graham is the best candidate to lead a change in the culture of the Unite union.