How did one of the greatest civilisations in history – the Roman Empire – rise and fall? It’s a question that has vexed historians for centuries. The majestic ruins of ancient Rome are visible across Europe and the Middle East… Read More ›
Philosophy
Marxist theory of Historical Materialism
How has society moved on from the slave states of the ancient world to medieval feudalism and then on to industrial capitalism and where we are today? Well, Karl Marx described the process through his theory of historical materialism. Don’t… Read More ›
Why the Prague Spring of 1968 was crushed
In the 1960s, Czechoslovakia attempted to create a more humane version of communism but ended up provoking a massive Soviet invasion. The Prague Spring began with hope and optimism and ended with arrests and foreign troops on the streets. What… Read More ›
How the rich get richer – according to Karl Marx
The rich are getting ridiculously richer. But Karl Marx would have told you to expect that. It’s embedded in the very nature of capitalism. Billionaire wealth has increased by 81% since 2020 and risen by over 16% in 2025 alone,… Read More ›
The Marxist theory of alienation explained
Do you ever feel detached from your job? Does it feel completely meaningless? Is there a sense that work is something imposed on you – that drains your very life force. Well, you’re not the first person to think that…. Read More ›
Postmodernism – a disaster for Marxism
Postmodernism has been hailed as radical and progressive since it emerged from the year of revolts and strikes that was 1968. Yet the postmodernist thinkers of that era were not enthusiastic revolutionaries. Quite the contrary. A mix of ex-Marxists and… Read More ›
Can Marxism and religion be reconciled?
There is a lot of confusion and nonsense about the relationship between Marxism and religion. In recent years, some have tried to suggest that Karl Marx saw a positive role for religion in a revolutionary movement. He did not. But… Read More ›
Should we call Donald Trump a fascist – or not?
During the 2024 American president election, Democrats and others on the left decried the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, as a fascist. However, some socialist theorists and commentators have criticised the loose use of this word – warning that when the… Read More ›
Does the Left understand Hamas?
Hamas is not a progressive organisation and yet some on the Left support it – why?
The Funeral of Karl Marx at Highgate cemetery in 1883 – the report
On March 14, 1883, Karl Marx died in London. So how did mainstream, capitalist newspapers report the death of the father of communism? Well, very differently is the answer. Trying to make sense of his legacy, they dragged in his… Read More ›