Brian Parkin

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Scunthorpe steel: murder by market manipulation

The closure of the Scunthorpe steel-works is likely to spell disaster for the community. Following our earlier analysis of the state of the British steel industry, here we consider the social costs of cynical mismanagement.

Review: Capitalism and Theory

A collection of the writings of Mike Kidron casts light on the heterodox Marxist economist and the revolutionary socialist organisation he once belonged to, writes Brian Parkin.

Obituary: Jean Dorothy Parkin, 1921-2018

Brian Parkin looks back at the life of his mother, Jean Dorothy Parkin, who passed away on 14th November.

Carillion: a chronicle of a blacklisting crook foretold

Carillion wasn’t an exception, but all too typical of the spiv business model the dominates UK construction.

Battle for BiFab: Scottish renewables factory in occupation

Through the combination of the defiance of an occupying workforce and a vision of a green industrial strategy, the prospect of democratic resistance is possible.
socialist argument nuclear weapons

Diversify or Die: a new pamphlet from rs21

UK manufacturing workers must reject a continued dependency on defence contracts in favour of a re-dedication of industry to environmentally and socially beneficial production.
Placard reads "There is no planet B"

revolutionary reflections | Climate Change and Migration in the age of...

How can we trace the interconnections between war, famine, pestilence and conquest that are being unleashed in a new form as the climate crisis unfolds?

Grangemouth: chronicle of a defeat foretold

The union machine has once more been reduced to crying foul and continues to pursue a fatally discredited partnership model of industrial peace and 'responsible' trade unionism.

Review: The Battle of Grangemouth: A Worker’s Story

In late October 2013, workers at the Ineos twin plant at Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, suffered an epic defeat, which in terms of the sacking of...

Robber baron Ineos takes over Forties fields

Brian Parkin comments on the extension of chemical giant Ineos' control over the Scottish energy economy and calls for radical, democratic and green working class resistance.

Latest articles

Police Trafalgar square

Resist the crackdown on demonstrations

The lockdown has ended but the crackdown on protests goes on and on. We need to share skills and solidarity to resist police repression.

‘The fight of our lives’ | Interview with Marian Mayer

Marian Mayer, candidate for Vice President of UCU, spoke to rs21 about the fightback in the higher and further education sectors

Review: The Covid-19 Catastrophe

Stacey Williams reviews The Covid-19 Catastrophe, by leading UK medical writer Richard Horton
Protests in Minsk

Interview: Organised and disorganised labour in the Belarus uprising

Siarhei Biareishyk speaks to rs21 about the uprising in Belarus following the falsified re-election of Aliaksandr Lukashenka on 9 August 2020.
Trump rally in 2016

Fascism beyond Trump

Historical comparisons can lead to unhelpful conclusions if not used carefully
Beirut port destroyed

Interview: Beirut blast exposed a global system

Rima Majed spoke to rs21 about the blast that devastated Beirut in the context of an existing political and economic crisis.

Reopening schools is bad science

Mike Downham explains the poor science behind the government plans for schools reopening. 

Interview: Neighbourhood organising in Edinburgh

Activists in Edinburgh share their experiences of fighting to save lives, save jobs, and save the planet within a local community hit by Covid-19.

Review: Radical Happiness

Lynne Segal’s most recent work, Radical Happiness, addresses the relationship between political action and personal fulfilment.

Tik Tok: is time running out for Tory style education?

Ava, a sixth form student, describes how she helped to instigate the protests last weekend which led to the government U-turn.  

Highlights

Protests in Minsk

Interview: Organised and disorganised labour in the Belarus uprising

Siarhei Biareishyk speaks to rs21 about the uprising in Belarus following the falsified re-election of Aliaksandr Lukashenka on 9 August 2020.
Beirut port destroyed

Interview: Beirut blast exposed a global system

Rima Majed spoke to rs21 about the blast that devastated Beirut in the context of an existing political and economic crisis.

Review: Fortunes of Feminism

Leslie Cunningham reviews Fortunes of Feminism by Nancy Fraser, a critical account of changes in feminist thought in the era of neo-liberalism.
Ravenscraig

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.
Westferry printworks

Johnson’s bonanza for private capital

The Tories are increasing spending, but the money is going to the rich. Adam Blanden argues that this represents the acceleration of Britain’s transformation into a ‘speculator state’.