Social movements
“The gradual lifting of lockdown may well spell a new dawn for protest movements, as they struggle for their very right to demand change in a pandemic-ravaged social order.”
Analysis: Social movements can beat attacks on the right to protest
“Taking swipes at democratic social movements, like the one in Catalonia, or Syriza’s drive to resist EU-backed austerity measures, are some of the only decisive action ever taken by the European Parliament.”
David Jamieson: The EU is helping Spain crush democracy in Catalonia
“How firm do we all think support for independence is, and what bearing might this have on this coming election – apparently believed by some, but seldom ever announced to be an ‘independence referendum’.”
Analysis: Is this the ‘independence election’?
“The Catalans have been both talking and acting, with mixed and confusing results. But even their confusions are more fruitful than baseless certainties, and unexamined problems.”
Analysis: The ‘western independistas’ are yet to win their battles, but the Catalans are trying
” As in the 2003 global anti-war protests, internationalism from below contrasts sharply with an international conspiracy of powerful states and their clients.”
Analysis: As the world protests the slaughter of Yemen, Scotland has a special responsibility
“Only the course of coming years will tell us if Trump’s experiment in erratic anti-politics in power leaves a legacy of disorientation, or renewal on the right.”
Analysis: The Republicans are down but far from out
“Trumpism will prove rather harder to exorcise from US society. And the Democrats showed little interest in doing so.”
David Jamieson: Impeachment politics won’t solve America’s problems
“The classless euphoria of ‘Clap for Carers’ is rapidly giving way to class tension. Some of it is starting to rise to the level of real conflict.”
Analysis: What happens when front-line ‘heroes’ start demanding their rights?
“The disappearance of the gradualists is also their final triumph. Aided by a frenzied media and political opposition, they have come to symbolise independence without the need to manifest any concrete support for the cause, or demonstrate any viable strategy.”