WW archive > Issue 1609 - 12 November 2026
Celebrity culture in the dock
With the conviction of Russell Brand on one count of rape and three of sexual assault, and now the David Walliams allegations, Paul Demarty calls for self-critical reflection on the left and a healthier, more egalitarian sexual culture
Letters
Yorp branch; Congress tactics; Priority reading; Former RCP; Scrap juries; French protests
Setting terms in Congress
Democrats won more convincingly than expected in the midterms, and the DSA now has its eight-strong Bloc in Congress. There is also talk of a presidential run by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. How to navigate the coming challenges? DSA member Joseph Perez analyses the results and suggests ways forward
Low expectations
Reportedly, it was the economy that sank Trump and the Republicans in the midterms … that and the unpopular Iran war. Yet, even with a clear majority in both houses, the Democrats are not going to bring about major change. And then there is the AI bubble, says Michael Roberts
Slavery’s imperial apologists
Charles Windsor has not apologised for Britain’s role in Caribbean slavery. Nor has Andy Burnham. Mike Macnair says the official arguments against apologies and reparations are bogus. But to really right the wrongs of the past requires the overthrow of the world capitalist order
Grappling with digital speed
Yassamine Mather dipped into the sessions on imperialism and Iran. They were not only poorly presented, but the politics were awful. So, instead, she took to the ‘AI and capitalism’ stream. It proved much more interesting
So much to choose from
Tam Dean Burn followed the ‘Culture’ stream. Walter Benjamin was very much mentioned. But what particularly struck him was the presentation given by Håkan Thörn and Carl Cassegård on postapocalyptic environmentalism
Dancing the word
Jack Conrad reviews Chris Knight and Jerome Lewis The revolutionary origins of language New Haven CT 2026, pp384, hbk £25
Strikes, streets and strategy
There have been massive protests of school and university students. November 5 took things to a higher level by mobilising the trade unions. What needs to happen next? Jean Laurel argues against the idea that rioting is positive, the way forward, something to celebrate