One of these illustrations shows the masses constituting the state, personified in the figure of the monarch. The other shows them constituting a power which smashes the state, personified in a member of what is commonly called the ruling class. They are separated by three centuries which have seen the introduction of universal franchise, general… read more »
In my last article I said, in effect, that in considering the future development of the socialist movement, one of the things we must take into account is the fact that social evolution is changing its character in a significant fashion. I stressed the fact that the nature of social development changes in proportion as… read more »
IC holds out a continuing invitation: We undertake to print any statement of up to 1,000 words carrying the approval of this party, or one of its branches. Letters from individual members will appear if they are cogent, interesting and concise, and if space permits. If you want your letter to appear unedited or not… read more »
The NEW STATESMAN & SOCIETY of 14 October, in its editorial, describes the consequences of Mr. Nigel Lawson’s current policy as “alarming.” This is the trouble: Sociologists (not that anyone listens to them nowadays) have long been predicting the emergence in Britain of a “two-thirds one third” society. It is one in which a majority… read more »
IC is published for a number of reasons, one of them being to expose systematic ideology to criticism. A number of readers have responded (though the [A-]SPGB have been surprisingly quiet) and among other benefits derived we are now able to list some of the most common misunderstandings. We shall, of course, make extra efforts… read more »
(Here we continue reprinting the articles Walsby contributed to the SOCIALIST LEADER, from copy supplied by Ellis Hillman. This one appeared in the issue of January 5, 1952 – GW.) How do people become socialists? What is it that enables some people to see with striking clarity that capitalism cannot function in the interest of… read more »
In the effort to support their claim to represent the working class, or the poor, or the people, the left find themselves driven to promote a number of other misconceptions. They claim, for example, that the contents of the newspapers, television and radio programmes are selected by, or under the influence of, the capitalist class… read more »
The 229 technicians employed by the TV-am studio went on strike at the end of December 1987. At that time only 60 of them, and those mostly trainees and junior assistants, were expected to earn less than £30,000 during the coming year. 42 were earning at above £35,00, 64 at over £40,000, 34 at over… read more »
Louis Althusser is a French Marxist intellectual, and they don’t come any more intellectual than that. The TLS tells us his Essays on Ideology (London, Verso, 1984) is “the work of an acute intellect and contains extended passages of originality and brilliance”. Tribune: “Althusser demands patience from the reader but he rewards it with his… read more »
(Here we continue our series of reprints of Walsby’s articles from the Socialist Leader, begun in IC27, with copy supplied by Ellis Hillman. This is from the issue of 15 April 1950. Walsby is answering an article by two members of the SPGB, writing under the pseudonym of “Philoren,” which appeared on 25 March. Following… read more »