Patrick Phillips examine the motivation of those that play and pray for profit. Each year, thousands of books are published that demonstrate how profiteers make profits but never why. My forthcoming book, Ways of Expressing, aims to answer the questions: why are profiteers so insistent on the making of a profit, and what alternative economic-exchange […]
Bill Johnston concludes his appeal for the left to take older people’s issues seriously This third article concerning age, ageing and older people’s issues relates these interrelated factors to Scottish politics and suggests priorities for the left during 2019. The essential argument is that policy and action should oppose the present neo-liberalisation of ageing, and […]
Exposing the extent of undercover policing in Scotland, ‘Andrea’ renews the call for a public inquiry The undercover policing scandal has been unfolding since 2010. As victims of political policing in Scotland, we seek the truth as to why we were spied upon and why our lives were so cruelly disrupted. We have asked for […]
Tony Adams recalls a forgotten chapter of the events around ‘Red Clydeside’ in 1919 The year, 1919, in Britain represents a high point in working class struggle and one un-matched since in its breath and scale. Over 34m working days were not worked due to strikes compared to an average of 4.5m for each of […]
Linda Clarke and Melahat Sahin-Dikmen show how two aspects of the Just Transition combine European Union (EU) 2020 plans to reduce CO2 emissions and increase the use of renewable energy target the construction sector, responsible for 40% of end use emissions in Europe. The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires that by December […]
Ian Paterson argues there are ways of producing proficient politics Us Scots are kidding ourselves, if we think we’re a good example of democracy. In years to come, future generations will look back at us, as an example of how not to run a society. So what is our crooked version of democracy? We take […]
Frieda Park looks at how right-wing forces are trying to turn back progress in Venezuela It is no coincidence that Elliot Abrams has been appointed as Trump’s envoy to Venezuela. Abrams was involved in the Iran-Contra scandal in the 1980s when officials in the Reagan administration sold arms to Iran, in contravention of sanctions. They […]
Neil Gray, Joey Simons and Bechaela Walker summarise the origins, achievements and ambitions of the Living Rent tenants’ union As Friedrich Engels made clear, housing crises are neither a temporary inconvenience nor a partial failure of the market but a systemic and perennial feature of capitalist relations. Since housing has become such a central pillar […]
Following from our Just Transition edition, Sean Whittaker assesses the right to access information campaigners need Scotland is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis, with threats such as climate change and pollution acting as focal points for concern. Public authorities in Scotland have a key role in protecting the environment, but questions have been raised about […]
Chris Stephens says the real scandal of this Tory government is its welfare policy not Brexit It’s all too easy for MPs to be consumed by all matters Brexit at Westminster given the bulk of debate is devoted to scrutinising the Tories’ mishandling of negotiations and the increasingly frantic attempts by May to box everyone […]