Issue 77: Common Weal – a new hope?
Seven writer consider what Common Weal might mean for Scottish politics
Issue 77
Common Weal: A New Hope? (pdf now available)
Jul - Aug 2013
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Comment
How can we make Common Weal the source of real hope for the future of Scottish politics and Scottish society?
The Common Weal
A model for social and economic development in Scotland
A sense of promise
Ruth Wishart argues that in imagining a better, cleverer, richer nation, culture is once again leading politics. Which is why it is so important to put it at the heart of a Common Weal vision.
A post-stone age economy
Jim Mather argues that the model of financialised capitalism has very clearly failed to address the ‘Common Weal’ either in terms of shared wealth or economy security. A new approach is needed.
Welfairy Tales to believe
Lesley Riddoch has been co-running the Nordic Horizons events for three years. The news that this has brought from the north is something Scotland should listen to.
Europe and the Common Weal
In the face of almost relentless anti-European sentiment in UK politics, Henry McCubbin reminds us of the social benefits that have been won by Europe and argues that ongoing engagement should be seen in a positive light
Land: not out of our hands
David Cameron outlines the intensely concentrated land ownership profile of Scotland and the social and economic problems that result. He argues that a Common Weal vision is impossible without tackling this.
End poverty for the Common Weal
While the UK political orthodoxy obsesses about defining and measuring poverty, Scotland should press on and start doing the things needed to end poverty, argues Morag Gillespie
More than an idea
Robin McAlpine explains how the Jimmy Reid Foundation is committed to making the Common Weal vision not only a strong and well-developed idea but an idea that actually creates change
Power and purpose
Pauline Bryan looks at the Scottish Labour Party’s Devolution Commission and the work that has been done by the Red Paper Collective on greater powers for Scotland - and why we should want them.
Green and red in the frame
Ewan Kerr follows up an article on frames and values in the last SLR to argue that the potential for ‘reframing’ the relationship between the environmental and labour movements is enormous
Greek Lessons
Mhairi McAlpine, a Scottish political activist currently based in Greece, explores the recent political turmoil and looks for lessons that can be learned by left movements in Scotland.
Reviews
Reviews of Scotland’s Road to Socialism: Time to Choose and Fascist Scotland
Kick Up The Tabloids
Danny Alexander in £53 a week protest: “That’s plent pocket money” claims his mum