Theory
Culture, Democracy, Economy, Social Justice, Theory
Is this the best we can hope for?
Despite Labor’s “landslide”, Simon Copland warns that the ALP’s historically low primary vote reveals a growing anti-political sentiment. Progressives must reject Labor’s do-nothing electoralism, pushing for real system change — not for electoral aims, but because only a bold left alternative can prevent the far-right from capitalising on capitalism’s inevitable crises. [...]
Culture, Democracy, Environment, Featured, Peace, Social Justice, Theory
A movement of relationships — The Greens in Fraser 2025
“The work we do with communities does not pre-exist our relationships”, says Huong Truong as she reflects on the Fraser campaign. Against those who dismiss grassroots organising as nothing but “retail politics”, Huong shows how electoral campaigns can move beyond “meaningful interactions” to create solidarity across communities — transforming both our communities and the Greens. “We are in community together”.... Read More
Culture, Democracy, Environment, Featured, Social Justice, Theory
“The times are urgent, so let us slow down”
Reflecting on three decades of Greens politics, former Victorian senator Janet Rice urgently calls for slow long-term movement building. Janet rejects the post-election media narratives of Greens “failure” and the false choice between environmental aims and economic justice. What’s needed is a politics of belonging. [...]
Read More... from “The times are urgent, so let us... Read More
Culture, Democracy, Environment, Featured, Social Justice, Theory
Establishment vibes — Reflections on Greens election results mustn’t ignore deeper tensions
Simultaneously branded as “too extreme” while acting too moderate, Jonathan Sriranganathan looks at the Greens’ electoral paradox, calling for a thoroughly anti-establishment approach that radically embraces grassroots power, mass participatory democracy, and systemic change [...]
... Read More
Culture, Democracy, Economy, Featured, Green Agenda 2025:1, Theory
Europe’s far right, mapping its class politics
While the far right shares a racist discourse, from country to country its parties represent different factions of capital, from domestic manufacturers in Hungary to hedge funds in Britain. Beneath the rhetoric of Europe’s far right we find a web of competing economic interests. For the past decade or so, the steady rise of far-right populism has been a defining... Read More
Democracy, Economy, Environment, Featured, Green Agenda 2024:3, Social Justice, Theory
Not a commodity, climate justice
A dominant view of climate justice advocates for richer nations to pay developing ones to do the work of “solving” climate change. But this renders climate justice a mere commodity, and perpetuates the longstanding global division of labour, class disparity, and the north-south flow of value. [...]
Read More... from Not a commodity, climate justice
... Read More
Democracy, Economy, Featured, Green Agenda 2024:3, Social Justice, Theory
Negotiating left politics in Sri Lanka: The NPP in government
Sri Lanka’s left-wing National People’s Power (NPP) coalition secured historic electoral victories in 2024, winning both the presidency and a two-thirds parliamentary majority. A victory marking the first time a formerly insurgent political force has gained state power through democratic means in the country. But as the National People’s Power coalition settles into government, their anti-corruption platform and middle-class appeal... Read More
Culture, Democracy, Featured, Green Agenda 2024:3, Theory
Beyond the far-right
Seeing the rise of the far-right through the lens of anti-establishment sentiment reveals why current strategies fail. Mainstream responses that defend the political order or adopt right-wing positions will only accelerate their decline. [...]
Read More... from Beyond the far-right
... Read More
Culture, Democracy, Green Agenda 2024:2, Peace, Social Justice, Theory
Facilitating change: consensus, collaboration and participatory politics
We need to make our democracy work for us. We need to change it so that it is more participatory. Former Green Senator Janet Rice reflects on her decade bringing facilitation and consensus-building skills to the politics of parliament. [...]
Read More... from Facilitating change: consensus, collaboration and participatory politics
... Read MoreCulture, Democracy, Environment, Featured, Green Agenda 2024:2, Peace, Social Justice, Theory
No regrets
Brad Homewood and Violet CoCo are climate activists and organisers with Extinction Rebellion. They recently served two months in prison for blocking the West Gate Bridge in Naarm/Melbourne to sound the alarm on the climate emergency. [...]
... Read More