Trademark Belfast

A Just Transition is a framework developed by the trade union movement to ensure that a green and sustainable economy is a democratic one. Joined again by environmental activist Seán Fearon and Trademark we discuss what it might look like and why it isn't happening yet. 

We chat with Seán Fearon, environmental activist and PhD candidate at Queen's University Belfast about the local renewables scandals of 'Cash for Ash' and how the transition to a post carbon economy will socialise the risk and privatise profits. 

Part 2 of our delve into bits and pieces of Modern Monetary Theory. 

A discussion with Stewart McGill (@UrbanKravMaga) and Professor John Barry in how to get your wee head around the challenges posed by Modern Monetary Theory. This podcast takes us through some of the basic concepts. Enjoy this journey through the most counter intuitive economic analysis around.  Resources This most excellent analysis by contributor Stewart McGill is your starting point!  https://resistance666site.wordpress.com/2020/08/05/modern-monetary-theory-a-marxist-perspective/ https://tribunemag.co.uk/2019/06/for-mmt http://www.billmitchell.org/ https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2020/08/12/mmt-a-uk-primer/ https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/03/01/stephanie-kelton-explains-modern-monetary-theory.html Stephanie Kelton (2020) The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and How to Build a Better Economy  William Mitchell, L Randakk Wray & Martin Watts (2019) Macroeconomics

Talking with Dave Gibney, Emma Clancy, Professor John Barry, Clare O'Connor about 'Left Bloc Ireland' an exciting new media & political education project in Ireland.  Alongside the Trademark Belfast podcast you can listen to the Week at Work, Nuall na nÓg, Offshore and The ABC's of Green Politics https://anchor.fm/the-week-at-work - Reviewing the weekly news in Ireland and beyond from a left perspective, breaking through the overton window of what is 'acceptable' and challenging the establishments control of  'common sense'  https://anchor.fm/nuall-na-nog - Tabharfaidh an gang aghaidh ar mhórcheisteanna sóisialta agus polaitiúla a bhaineann go mór leis an aos óg in Éirinn agus ar fud fad na cruinne. Beidh spraoi againn fosta ag plé an tsó agus an anró, uilig faoi anáil na heite clé agus na Gaeilge.

An interview with Trademark Belfast conducted by Owen Connolly of Green Hope Politics about the potential, challenges and resistance to building a cooperative economy... “[in a cooperative] the opposition between capital and labour is abolished… even if at first only in the form that the workers in association become their own capitalists” (Marx, 1894: 571-72). "...the system of civilised co-operators is the system of socialism" (Lenin 1923) "...cooperatives are a tool for class struggle” (Gramsci 1919) "..better than working for some jumped up wee knob who can't wipe his own arse without an actual worker present" (Alice McLarnon 2020)

Talking with Duroyan Fertl, activist, writer, researcher, and former advisor to Sinn Féin and GUE/NGL about fascism and the small problem of the far right in the German military.  https://braveneweurope.com/duroyan-fertl-kill-lists-and-commandos-germany-has-a-nazi-problem

Fifty friends of Trademark Belfast zúm in to listen and chat with Joe Guinan in Washington DC about Blade Runner, capitalism, economic democracy and the potential of Community Wealth Building as part of https://www.goodrelationsweek.com/ Learn more at: https://democracycollaborative.org/ https://cles.org.uk/

Talking with Agustine Martire, Lecturer in Architecture QUB and vice chair of 'Save the Cathedral Quarter Belfast' and Steve Baker Lecturer in Film and TV studies UU about the evolution of the neo-liberal city, gentrification, property speculation, working class displacement and the broken model of extractive capitalism that is so perfectly distilled into #tribecabelfast  Follow @SaveCQBelfast Tribeca the Castlebrooke promotional video narrated by local actor, Jamie Dornan (The Fall, Fifty Shades of Grey) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOZxJ6uD-_c "ProTanto Quid Retribuamus”, SaveCQ: a protest poem by Conor Shields https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAPfGrHkCYM The Daily Blend: Tribeca Belfast (Colin Geddis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=_hkeT9HqXE0&app=desktop

Talking with Brian Forbes and Mel Corry about the future of work, a contingent workforce, surveillance and automation. 

Talking with comrades Kellie O'Dowd, trade union activist and feminist and Dave Gibney, trade unionist and co-host of 'The Week at Work Podcast' about the social and economic impact of the Covid crisis. 

A new series of podcasts looking at the multiple crises of capitalism and how we might move beyond an economic system that is killing the planet. Alongside the usual controlled ranting of the Trademark team we shall have some very special guests to help us along the way. If you have any ideas for themes feel free to contact us! #uptheworkers, paid and unpaid!

Speaking again with Joe Guinan of The Democracy Collaborative about the proven potential of Community Wealth Building in building a green, just and democratic economy. Get hold of his book co-authored with Martin O Neil here: https://politybooks.com/bookdetail/?isbn=9781509539024&subject_id=89 https://democracycollaborative.org/ A research and development lab for the democratic economy https://cles.org.uk/ The national organisation for local economies - developing progressive economics for people, planet and place.

Speaking with comrade Joe Guinan of 'The Democracy Collaborative' about the proven potential of Community Wealth Building in promoting a democratic economy. Get hold of his book co-authored with Martin O Neil here: https://politybooks.com/bookdetail/?isbn=9781509539024&subject_id=89 https://democracycollaborative.org/ A research and development lab for the democratic economy https://cles.org.uk/ The national organisation for local economies - developing progressive economics for people, planet and place.

Conversation with researcher and left activist Mark Malone on the rise of fascism in Ireland. 

Talking to friend and compañera, Mariela Kohon (Trades Union Congress International Officer) and formerly of Justice for Colombia about the Colombian and Irish peace processes and the political economy of peace building (Only scratched the surface, a second podcast is planned) https://justiceforcolombia.org/get-involved/support-jfc/donate/

Trademark talking to https://emmaclancy.com/  about the Apple Tax decision and pulling on the Green Jersey for Ireland!

A discussion about the history and the potential of organised labour in Ireland and Britain with guest Alex Gordon, train driver, former president  of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Worker's Union (RMT) and Trustee of the Marx Memorial Library.  Also with the Seán Byers and Stiofán Ó Nualláin of Trademark Belfast. https://www.rmt.org.uk/home/ https://www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk/

Talking with Dr Paul O Connell of SOAS London who suggests that if we are to  rise up and break through the crust of the earth and overthrow this system then  we need to embrace the notion of serious, hard, underground, messy, long-term political education.  

Trademark is today joined by Dr Steve Baker, former shop steward in the Transport and general Workers Union, now Lecturer in Film and TV at the University of Ulster to talk about all things hegemonic....