Scotland: the Social Movement for Independence and the Crisis of the British State
During the last week we’ve published a major analysis of Scottish politics after the independence referendum by historian and activist Neil Davidson in five parts. Now here it is all in one place.
Scotland – what next?
In the fifth and final part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, written in late September, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson looks at events since the vote.
Scotland – Understanding the result
In the fourth part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson looks at the detail of the referendum results.
Scotland – the Yes campaign as a social movement
In the second part of his analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson examines the Yes campaign.
Scotland – the reality behind the referendum
Part one of a major five-part analysis of Scottish politics after the referendum, by Scottish historian and activist Neil Davidson.
The evolution of the Scottish independence question
Historian and socialist activist Neil Davidson’s responds to questions about his article ‘Yes: a non-nationalist argument for Scottish independence’ about how his position on Scottish independence has developed.
What do we mean by… uneven and combined development?
Neil Davidson continues an rs21 series on the fundamentals of our political tradition by looking at uneven and combined development.
The evolution of democratic centralism in the SWP
We must never again allow organisational structures to remain unchanged, unchallenged and unreviewed, as the world around us changes
Festival of the Oppressed Programme 2026
📲 If you’re on your phone, rotate for a better view! Full info and tickets here. SATURDAY 10:00 – 11:15 Session Speakers Room & Format What would it actually take? Revolutionary Strategy for Our Times Opening Plenary Barnaby Raine – historian and activistLily S – rs21Gargi Bhattacharya – author and teacherHarry Holmes – rs21 and […]
Fighting the far right: against the ideology of nationhood
A critical examination of how the concept of ‘the nation’ helps to advance reactionary agendas
Thinking like an internationalist
DK Renton explains why it’s vital to reject nationalism and stand with anti-imperialist struggles
Political alternatives in an age of catastrophe
What socialist politics do we need in this time of disasters?
What is going on with Trump’s tariffs?
Why is Trump imposing tariffs and what does he want to achieve
Revolutionary Rehearsals reading group
All welcome at these discussions based on chapters from Revolutionary Rehearsals in the Neoliberal Age, published by Haymarket Books. 7pm Thursday 9 January 2025: Chapter 1: Social Movements and the Possibility of Socialist Revolution, by Colin Barker 7pm Thursday 30 January 2025: Chapter 10: The Actuality of the Revolution, by Neil Davidson Register via Zoom […]
Lenin, National Liberation and Palestine
Gus Woody reviews Imperialism and the National Question recently published by Verso.
Here We Go! Forty years on from the outbreak of the Great Strike
Forty years ago today British miners began industrial action in what became the longest and most bitter strike of the twentieth century. Here Brian Parkin, a former Research Officer for the National Union of Mineworkers, gives a brief introduction to this pivotal strike.
rs21 – the first ten years
For the tenth anniversary of the launch of rs21, Jonny Jones reflects on a decade of activity, our ups and downs, challenges and achievements, and considers our hopes for the future.
Towards a truly radical Scottish independence movement
Jim Ritchie reviews Scotland After Britain, a new book on the Scottish independence movement.
Revolutionary Reads – What books got us through 2021?
We asked rs21 members what they’ve been reading in 2021, whether new works of revolutionary theory, fiction, or old classics. These were some of the examples our members had. James B – Psychoanalysis and Revolution (2021) Pyschoanalysis and Revolution argues for the relevancy of psychoanalysis as a tool for those of us involved in liberatory […]
Extracts from Revolutionary Rehearsals in the Neoliberal Age
On the possibility of socialist revolution and the tragedy of the Egyptian revolution.
Review | Revolutionary Rehearsals in the Neoliberal Age
Andy N reviews Revolutionary Rehearsals in the Neoliberal Age, a new collection discussing political upheavals since 1989. He finds a wide ranging and insightful work, which will deepen both the theory and practice of the modern left. Colin Barker, Gareth Dale, and Neil Davidson, Revolutionary Rehearsals in the Neoliberal Age (Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2021) 410 […]
Review | A Brief History of Commercial Capitalism
Nick Evans reviews a new book that calls for a radical rethinking of the history of capitalism.
Post-war to post-industrial Scotland
Successive British governments have restructured the Scottish economy in damaging ways. Now we need a radical plan for a de-carbonised and independent Scotland.
The Scottish general strike of 1820
Pete Cannell recounts the first general strike in the history of capitalism.
The long Conservative decline
Labour still has a long way to go to win this election. But the Tory crisis won’t go away either, regardless of who wins on 12 December, argues Duncan Thomas.
revolutionary reflections | Value, force, many states and other problems: part 3
In the third and final part of his essay on violence and capitalist social relations, Colin Barker insists that capitalist states cannot be theorised without recognising their multiplicity.
The new far right & how to fight it
In this new pamphlet published by rs21, writers take on theoretical and practical questions relating to the politics of today’s far right and anti-fascist strategy.
Half a millennium away: Martin Luther’s 95 theses 500 years on
On the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, Andrew Stone looks at the context in which Protestantism arose and the global impact it had. On 31 October 1517 an Augustinian monk nailed a list of complaints – known to posterity as the 95 Theses – to a church door in Wittenberg. This austere professor of theology […]
After 1917: Civil war and ‘modernising counter-revolution’
The Russian Revolution not only provides the most far reaching example of a socialist revolution in history, it also changes our understanding of counter-revolution.