Political Critique Archive

We are living through an accelerated worsening of the material conditions of life. The intrinsic crisis of capitalism, based on growth and speculation, is becoming increasingly evident, both in its social impact and in the scientifically demonstrable limits of the planet and its resources. In this context, fascination with the apocalypse is the dominant narrative […]

Political Critique’s weekly selection from the Eastern European press.

In many parts of Calabria, the memory of the majistre, traditional textile mentors, is still alive. Historically, only women knew how to prepare the weaving looms. They were also the only ones who knew the cunti, stories that they would sing to accompany the process. It was difficult work: up to 1800 threads could pass […]

Henryk Wujec, a  Polish politician and historical member of the Polish labour union Solidarność, met the filming crew and researchers to give his point of view on the future of a country that he helped to construct in the 80s, and that will determine Europe’s future in the coming years.

A radical change is taking place. Cities around Europe – through platforms, movements and international networks – are creating paths for citizens to participate in and influence politics directly.

Riot Days by Maria Alyokhina is not only a story about feminist guerrilla politics. It is more a story of trial, imprisonment, and the inhumane Russian justice system. Read the review of the book by Kateryna Semchuk.

A number of cities and municipalities all over Europe have already declared their readiness to welcome refugees, including cities in Central Europe, be it for demographic or other reasons. This could mark a turning point and the deepening decentralisation of the EU, avoiding a tendency towards centralisation, as well as renationalisation.

The Pirate Party, with the 22 seats in the parliament, has become the third most powerful political force in the Czech Republic. Who are Czech Pirates and what are the problems they want to focus on? Read the interview with the Pirates leader Ivan Bartoš.

Jędrzej Niklas of the London School of Economics talks to Bartłomiej Kozek about how algorithms can perpetuate discrimination and argues that they should not be left in the hands of IT people.

The closer I looked, the more I saw… and the less—not the more—I thought I understood. Another two years in Poland and I would have been as unable to interpret Poland as I am able to explain America.