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What is Johnsonism? Is it a useful concept? What are its social bases & how does it cohere them? What are it’s likely strategies and limits? What’s the role of “Boris”? Four pieces and a discussion by @Adam_Blanden, @tom_gann, @Sabrina_Huck & @RhianEJones https://newsocialist.org.uk/tag/what-is-johnsonism/">https://newsocialist.org.uk/tag/what-...
First @Adam_Blanden on Johnsonism, Coronavirus, state intervention & “corruption”. https://newsocialist.org.uk/johnson-capitalist-state-coronavirus/">https://newsocialist.org.uk/johnson-c...
"It is hard to avoid the conclusion that a depoliticised, technocratic economy breeds a cronyist, corrupt politics."
Next, @RhianEJones on Johnson himself. Who is he? What does he want? How does that work out politically. https://newsocialist.org.uk/what-is-johnsonism-what-is-johnsonism/">https://newsocialist.org.uk/what-is-j...
"Although he draws on Churchill, Johnson more obviously embodies a certain strain of eighteenth-century ruling-class Englishness, the sort of grotesques you see in a Gillray cartoon."
Next, @tom_gann on the social bases of Johnsonism in particular fractions of capital & in parts of the popular classes and the political cohering through the state & whiteness. https://newsocialist.org.uk/fuck-business-johnsonism-hegemony-and-popular-classes/">https://newsocialist.org.uk/fuck-busi...
"Any election-winning alliance needs the support of parts of the popular classes, and the election was won precisely because the chaotic, “Fuck Business” fractions of capital were able to command enough popular support."
What does Vote Leave tell us about Johnsonism? @Sabrina_Huck on the question of populism & possible strategies. https://newsocialist.org.uk/johnsonism-vote-leave-and-construction-enemy/">https://newsocialist.org.uk/johnsonis...
"Mayism might also serve as a cautious warning for those currently at the top of the Labour Party who are seeking to construct a coalition of the middle to beat Johnson."
Finally our authors expanded on these themes and questions as well as considering Johnson’s spell as Mayor of London, how to oppose him & international contexts & comparisons. https://newsocialist.org.uk/discussing-johnsonism/">https://newsocialist.org.uk/discussin...
"On the those terms, Johnsonism and the figure of Johnson can be the conduit through which access is granted and it’s a highly personalised way of thinking about his role in the UK economy.” @Adam_Blanden
"If you don’t challenge the reactionary ideological themes, when the economic crash happens, it won’t be lived in ways useful for the left." @Tom_Gann
"The role the family plays in capitalism & in social reproduction is an point that can link a theory of capitalism and anti-capitalism to these more social and cultural issues and liberation politics as we try to discuss, as the left, why these are important." @Sabrina_Huck
"...you wonder why the man hasn’t exploded out of guilt" @RhianEJones
