Recently I found myself considering the possibility of a World Parliament – something like a cross between the European Parliament and the United Nations – whose members would be elected proportionally to the population of each country. What would the political makeup of such an assembly be? As far as I’m aware no-one has yet bothered to try and work it out,…
Following its recent acquisition of 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company has cemented its place as one of the largest entertainment companies on the planet. From The Simpsons to Star Wars, chances are that in the last few days you’ve watched, read, or listened to something that Disney owns. This follows a worrying trend of media being concentrated in the hands…
Freedom to live, not freedom to exist, work and then die In a bizarre twist of fate, Jeremy Corbyn was the only candidate during the 2015 leadership election to defend the Blair government’s spending record. This is demonstrative of how, regardless of faction, no Labour Party figure is showing a full appreciation of the lessons of the past. This has been true…
New Zealand has just announced that they will cease to pursue economic growth, and instead focus on ensuring the well-being of their citizens. Policies designed to tackle family violence and mental health issues abound, with half a billion for those with mild to moderate depression and anxiety and a further 320 million for domestic violence treatment also pledged. Many of the chattering…
When Hamilton came to London back in 2017 it made headlines in the theatre world, and not just because it entered the restored Victoria Palace Theatre with a Broadway parent production which had won eleven Tony Awards. The musical retelling of Ron Chernow’s biography of American founding father Alexander Hamilton sent shockwaves in British theatre because its casting call advertised specifically for…
Capitalist realism maintains its cold, grey grip over Australian society. Australia’s conservative parties managed to barely win a majority at the federal election on May 18. The result was generally seen as a surprise with the election reported as Labor’s to lose. The conservatives lacked vision, were internally divided and putting the third parliamentary leader of their six-year term of government to…
It is difficult to question that American leftism is enjoying prominence unparalleled in recent years. No longer is left-wing politics viewed as a vote-splitting sideshow, represented by third-party figures such as Ralph Nader or Jill Stein. Much of the Democratic Party, inspired by its activist base and the 2016 primary campaign of Bernie Sanders, has come to accept many ideas previously seen…
Earlier this month, Burger King announced they were releasing ‘Real Meals’ – because ‘no one is happy all the time’. Their options – designed to counter the ‘Happy Meal’ now include the ‘Pissed Meal, Blue Meal, Salty Meal, YAAAS Meal and the DGAF Meal.’ Burger King said in a press release that ‘the brand believes in authenticity and welcomes all guests’ and…
