Corbyn, Sanders, and the brothers Gracchi

The researcher and writer Helen Thompson once noted in a discussion on Talking Politics podcast at University of Cambridge that it was not the brothers Gracchi who resorted to violence in their populist call for redistribution but the wealthy Senators. The brothers Gracchi were executed one by one for their rallying call, and their successors … Continue reading Corbyn, Sanders, and the brothers Gracchi →

A critique of cathedralism: Why conspiracy theory doesn’t make sense of contemporary capitalism

First published on 30 June 2022. It is popular in universities to denounce conspiracy theories as inherently evil descendants of twentieth-century totalitarianism. I don’t wish to make a judgement on this specific point, because each side is polarised to the point that they deal in different narrations of history. To overcome this empirical war, I … Continue reading A critique of cathedralism: Why conspiracy theory doesn’t make sense of contemporary capitalism →

Pelosi’s Taiwan visit was a calculated blunder

There is much dispute over the function of Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan: was it a moment of madness, or a signal decision of brilliance? Now U.S.-China relations are fraying on a range of issues, from climate change to military technology, is more tension really needed? Yes, it is — but this almost completely misses the … Continue reading Pelosi’s Taiwan visit was a calculated blunder →