Peter Bloom

Peter Bloom is a lecturer in the Department of People and Organisations at the Open University. His primary research interests include ideology, subjectivity and power, specifically as they relate to broader discourses and everyday practices of capitalism and democracy. He is currently completing a manuscript entitled ‘Authoritarian Capitalism in the Age of Globalization’ to be published by Edward Elgar Press.

Symbolic politics - standing up for real democracy

On both sides of the Atlantic, we need to stand up for genuine democracy and against a system that cynically defends itself by wrapping itself in flags.

By Peter Bloom

/ 23 Oct 2017

Is Corbynomics a return to the socialist past or a vision of the progressive future?

Jeremy Corbyn's economic programme isn't about taking us back to the past, but embracing the challenges of today.

By Peter Bloom

/ 17 Oct 2016

Police brutality: Is America teetering on edge of sectarian violence?

The tragic shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile occured because soldiers and police officers alike view themselves on the frontline and dangerous edge of preventing terrorist and criminal attacks.

By Peter Bloom

/ 21 Jul 2016

One world labourism: can Corbyn link national security to global justice?

Corbyn could lead a fundamental shift in Britain's foreign policy.

By Peter Bloom

/ 22 Sep 2015

Authoritarian capitalism in modern times: when economic discipline really means political disciplining

The global spread of capitalism depends on an authoritarian form of politics. How can democracy survive alongside economic discipline in today's world?

By Peter Bloom

/ 22 Jul 2015

Authoritarian capitalism in modern times: when economic discipline really means political disciplining

The global spread of capitalism depends on an authoritarian form of politics. How can democracy survive alongside economic discipline in today's world?

By Peter Bloom

/ 22 Jul 2015

A ‘hero’ for the twenty-first century: meet the CEO politician

In the twenty-first century, politicians behave more like CEOs. When voters are seen as shareholder citizens, what is left for democracy?

By Peter Bloom and Carl Rhodes

/ 14 May 2015

Baltimore’s dangerous politics of containment

The city of Baltimore was in a ‘state of emergency’ long before the rioting began.

By Peter Bloom

/ 29 Apr 2015

An institution under siege

The foot soldiers of American law enforcement should not seek to cast blame on politicians and protesters. Instead they should look to the gilded system which has placed them in the line of fire.

By Peter Bloom

/ 26 Jan 2015

Under divine instruction

The fanaticism of the ‘war on terror’ has long been a mere mask for elite self-interest. The US Senate report into the CIA’s torture programme is a call to end western fundamentalism.

By Peter Bloom

/ 22 Dec 2014

US Republicans are not alone: fear and hatred on the campaign trail

The blame game allows these commonly quite similar parties in practice to distinguish themselves from each other in rhetoric.

By Peter Bloom

/ 2 Nov 2014