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“Only war makes it possible to mobilize all of today’s technical resources while maintaining the property system.”

- Walter Benjamin, 1936

Beauty, burgers and Wilde's blue china: on the power of aesthetics

JULIAN SAYARER

Do the "consumers of radicalism" Jon Moses refers to in his recent essay actually exist? An exploration of beauty and rebellion, through the lens of our relationship to the aesthetic.

Image: Demotix / Alexandros Michailidis

Rebranding London: when monoculture preys on the 'authentic'

TOM JEFFREYS

The billboards go up. Regeneration is occurring. But don't worry, this development will respect local charm, traditions, the unique "vibe" of the area. So the billboard says, and what alternative is there but the stagnant nostalgia of the Conservation Area?

Byron, Brewdog, and the recuperation of radical aesthetics

JONATHAN MOSES

'Dirty Burger' rebellion versus the experience and traditions of genuine anti-capitalist space.

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Beauty, burgers and Wilde's blue china: on the power of aesthetics

Julian Sayarer 24 May 2013

Do the "consumers of radicalism" Jon Moses refers to in his recent essay actually exist? An exploration of beauty and rebellion, through the lens of our relationship to the aesthetic.

City of London Elections 2013: the battle, the count, the lessons

Daniel Jones 24 May 2013

The recent elections to the City of London’s local authority were fiercely fought, after years where the majority of seats went uncontested. Lessons should be drawn for any future attempt to reform the financial services industry.

Milburn, the NHS, and Britain's 'revolving door'

Caroline Molloy 23 May 2013

As the government ploughs on with its NHS ‘reforms’ in the face of opposition from medics and the public, whose interests are really driving these reforms? The latest move by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn provides a clue.

Security trade's Lord Reid uses Woolwich attack to promote surveillance state

Clare Sambrook 23 May 2013

Former Home Secretary John Reid, the security industry's salesman in the House of Lords, exploits a brutal murder to revive the 'Snoopers' Charter'.

Rebranding London: when monoculture preys on the 'authentic'

Tom Jeffreys 23 May 2013

The sadness of terrorism

Anthony Barnett 22 May 2013

Here we go again - London's atrocity exemplifies the banality of terrorism and the banality of the responses to terrorism

'Council democracy' - reform must begin with the local

Ivo Mosley 22 May 2013

Arendt, Jefferson and Maitland are three great thinkers who all shared a passion for the power of local democracy, its ability to bridge the distance of representation. As our political system breaks down, it's an idea we must consider once again.

Outsourcer Nick Buckles retires at 52, a multimillionaire

Clare Sambrook 21 May 2013

Security company G4S and its executives have got rich dismantling public services.

Not everyone can be a world citizen

Bridget Byrne 21 May 2013

Recent calls for 'renewed' identities in the UK mean little so long as they fail to assess the role of the state in a multicultural society. Certainly, a fundamental recognition is needed: that it is easier to be a global citizen when you are confident in the fulfilment of your rights as a national citizen.

The Great Tax Robbery - reviewed

Chris Hill 20 May 2013

Private Eye's Richard Brooks has released a new book, The Great Tax Robbery, reviewed here by a former colleague. How did HMRC come to be 'captured' by big money, and why is government doing so little to correct it?

Glass ceiling and rock bottom: women in 2013 Britain

Dawn Foster 20 May 2013

Gender equality is on the rise amongst the British elite. But outside of this bubble, women are suffering disproportionately from austerity and its fall-out.

Privatised NHS call centres are causing an A&E crisis

Suresh Chauhan 20 May 2013

A 38 Degrees member didn't find the government's line on the A&E crisis very convincing. When he obtained the figures in question, the problem was quite clear - privatised call centres had lead to an increase in A&E referrals of 50%.

Why politicians can’t be honest about the EU

Damian Hockney 20 May 2013

Responding to Stuart Weir's recent article, Damian Hockney says the EU's supposed benefits are as illusory as the supposed damages the UK would suffer from leaving.

Nigel Farage, the Scottish debate and the future of Europe

Gerry Hassan 19 May 2013

UKIP's rise is the clearest sign yet of the crisis of Britain as a progressive, liberal project. Nigel Farage's trip to Scotland and his prickly reception helps us understand the difference between the UKIP and Scottish independence projects.

The British legal profession has a duty to help ensure justice for all

Geoffrey Bindman 17 May 2013

Legal aid and Law Centres are under threat in the UK, along with the principle of equal access to justice. Geoffrey Bindman QC says it's time for the legal profession to dig into their pockets and help meet the gap in state funding. This week's Friday Essay.

Restating Scotland

Land, apples, and political engagement in Scotland
Max J Muir

Londoners march to save the NHS
stuart monro

A republican call for a basic income
Daniel Raventos and Julie Wark

Security trade's Lord Reid uses Woolwich attack to promote surveillance state
Clare Sambrook

Not everyone can be a world citizen
Bridget Byrne

"Currency war" rhetoric obscures the real need for realignment
John Mills

After Syntagma: where are the occupiers now?
Jon Wiltshire

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Arab Awakening

In the months following the start of the Arab Revolutions, articles and analysis poured into openDemocracy from contributors across the Middle East and Europe. Gradually, the impact of Tahrir Square began to extend well beyond the Middle East as democratic inspiration travelled from east to west. Arab Awakening tries to capture that inspiration and use it to help us read a rapidly changing world.

"As students of politics is it is vital to study the power of imagination." -Professor Charles Tripp, SOAS

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