Suchergebnisse

A response to John Foster's (2002) critique of the author's (2000) analysis of the historical development of Scottish nationhood. Foster's contention that feudal payments commenced during the 15th century is questioned, & subsequent assertion that Scotland's wool exports contributed to the emergence of feudalism in rural Scotland are challenged. In addition, Foster's disregard for the substantial capitalist development in Scotland during the mid-18th century is criticized. Several difficulties with Foster's critique of the author's methodology are identified, eg, his claim that the author utilized sociological, not dialectical, understandings of class & nation. Additional problems with Foster's interpretation of Marx's (1974b) & V. Lenin's (1964a) respective call for the creation of international, not national, cultures & with his understanding of 'nation' are addressed. It is concluded that Foster's apparent support for the nation-state, as a location for mobilizing the working classes is a more dangerous perspective than nationalism itself. 54 References. J. W. Parker

Between the two UK referendums on European Community/European Union membership, the issue of migration came to dominate the entire debate. The period between 1975 and 2016 corresponds almost exactly to the neoliberal era in capitalism, in its British manifestation, and this is not coincidental. This article traces the shifting periods of neoliberalism ('vanguard', 'social' and 'crisis') across these 40 years, focusing in each case on how the policies associated with them specifically impacted migration into the United Kingdom. In particular, it will argue that the current migration crisis is at least partly an aspect of the wider crisis of neoliberalism as a form of capitalist organisation. It concludes that current levels of anti-migrant sentiment are a displaced expression of hostility to the social effects of neoliberalism, and which may nevertheless cause difficulties for British capital through the imposition of anti-free movement policies to which it is opposed.

This article examines the contradictory relationship between neoliberalism and the politics of the far-right. It seeks to identify and explain the divergence of the 'economic' and the social/cultural spheres under neoliberalism (notably in articulations of race and class and the 'politics of whiteness') and how such developments play out in the politics of the contemporary far-right. We also seek to examine the degree to which the politics of the far-right pose problems for the consolidation and long-term stabilization of neoliberalism, through acting as a populist source of pressure on the conservative-right and tapping into sources of alienation amongst déclassé social layers. Finally, we locate the politics of the far-right within the broader atrophying of political representation and accountability of the neoliberal era with respect to the institutional and legal organization of neoliberalism at the international level, as most obviously highlighted in the ongoing crisis of the EU and Eurozone.

2016 and all that : global Britain and its aftermath -- Nationalism, internationalism, and independence : contemporary applications of socialist theory -- The emergence of a movement for Scottish independence, 2012-14 -- The collapse of Scotland's red wall -- The faultline of SNP hegemony -- Progressive neoliberalism confronts the pandemic -- Conclusion : the two souls of independence.

Each of the book's contributors is engaged in critical academic research across a broad spectrum in Scotland. Although they are specialists in their chosen fields, they share a concern to problematise the post-devolution, 'new' Scotland by discussing it fully and effectively in the neo-liberal context of the 21st century. In addition, all of the authors are activists in the anti-capitalist, environmental, socialist and anti-war movements and are therefore engaged in the processes outlined in ...