Leftfield, Scotland’s Economics Festival, ‘Scotland for All – Against Racism and Fascism’ bloc and more

This is a new regular feature promoting the Scottish Left, anticapitalist and radical events, publications and projects. This will be expansive, inclusive and non-sectarian. Contact us here for suggestions to publicise your events.

SCOTLAND’S ECONOMICS FESTIVAL

Scotland’s Economics Festival ‘bringing BIG economic ideas to Scotland’ – kicks off in Leith in just two weeks (19-21 March). The event is the brainchild of William Thomson, and it’s described as: “A unique, public-facing celebration of economic thinking – designed to challenge, inform, and inspire. The festival brings together leading economists, commentators, campaigners, and curious citizens to explore BIG economic ideas.”

It’s precisely the sort of public, civic event that Scotland needs. Here are three of my favourite events:

Platform Power and Edinburgh’s Gig Economy with Karen Gregory, Dr Marion Lieutaud from the University of Edinburgh School of Social and Political Science and Dr Elena Papagiannaki from Napier University, explain how over recent years Edinburgh has dubbed itself a ‘data capital’ and courted tech companies from Skyscanner to Deliveroo to open offices and put the city on the AI map. Join the Scottish Left Review and the Workers’ Observatory to discuss these frontiers of platformisation and resistance. Chaired by Cailean Gallagher, Editor, Scottish Left Review.

Tickets here: Buy tickets – Platform Power and Edinburgh’s Gig Economy – Round The World Studios

Trump’s America and the Crisis: Beyond capitalism to economic democracy

Joe Guinan,  President, The Democracy Collaborative, Sarah L. Jaffe, American labor journalist and author, Kali Akuno, Co-Founder, Cooperation Jackson, and Thomas Hanna, VP Research & Policy, The Democracy Collaborative join us to discuss the economic future of America. Moderator: Joana Ramiro, Communications Director, The Democracy Collaborative.

Tickets here: Buy tickets – Trump’s America and the Crisis: Beyond capitalism to economic democracy – The Out of The Blue Drill Hall

Historical Economic Injustice – why and how the past repeats itself, and how to break the cycle

Scotland’s story is one of extraordinary natural wealth — and of that wealth too often flowing elsewhere. From the Highland Clearances to the coal pits of Lanarkshire and Fife, and later the oil rigs of the North Sea, Scotland has generated immense value from its land and resources. Yet again and again, the benefits have bypassed the very communities that made this possible.

This discussion delves deeply into the historical origins of how patterns of resource extraction and economic exclusion were ingrained in Scotland’s development — and why they continue to shape our present.

As the country transitions toward a renewable energy economy and away from a carbon-based one, many fear that history is repeating itself. Profits from wind, wave, and carbon credit markets are increasingly concentrated in the hands of corporations and the elite, while local people see little change.

Buy tickets here: Buy tickets – Historical Economic Injustice – why and how the past repeats itself, and how to break the cycle – Leith Dockers Club

Chaired by Emma Jackson, Head of Social Justice, Citizen’s Advice Scotland, Dr. Ewan Gibbs (Coal Country, An Injury to All) and Neil McInroy (The Democracy Collaborative) will discuss what genuine community wealth building and democratic control of Scotland’s natural resources could look like.

Can we finally learn from the past — and design an economy that keeps the benefits of Scotland’s resources in Scotland’s communities?

Buy tickets here: Buy tickets – Historical Economic Injustice – why and how the past repeats itself, and how to break the cycle – Leith Dockers Club

ANTI-RACIST, ANTI-FASCIST BLOC

As part of the March and Rally for Scottish Independence 28 March, Edinburgh.

This in from RIC: “Racism has no place in an independent Scotland. The Scottish independence movement can and should be a powerful force in resisting the billionaire-backed campaign to scapegoat migrants for the failures of successive UK governments.”

Join us on Saturday 28th March as we bring an anti-racist and anti-fascist message to the Believe in Scotland march in Edinburgh.

The “A Scotland for All – Against Racism and Fascism” bloc will assemble on the steps of St Giles’ Cathedral from 11.30am.

This bloc has been jointly organised by the Radical Independence Campaign, the Scottish Socialist Youth, the Republican Socialist Platform, rs21 Scotland and others. We invite all anti-racists to join us.

After the march and rally, come to our social at The Wee Folk Bar, downstairs at The Royal Oak, 1 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT. (Please note that, unfortunately, the only access to this venue is via stairs.)

For more information, email: [email protected]

RADICAL JUSTICE 

Lighthouse Books has international human rights lawyer Nani Jansen Reventlow speaking at the Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre, University of Edinburgh Old College South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL on Saturday 21 March to promote her new book Radical Justice.

Our society is breaking down. Fascists are winning elections, economic inequality is rampant, and the climate crisis is at its tipping point. It feels like the amount of work needed to overcome these injustices is too much to handle.

But what if there is a way to lower the threshold to action?

Who will free us if not ourselves?

In Radical Justice, international human rights lawyer Nani Jansen Reventlow shows how we can build a fundamentally different future with our own hands. We all have our own spheres of influence, and each of us can be the revolution.

Book here: Lighthouse | Radical Justice: Nani Jansen Reventlow on building the world we need

STOP THE WAR NATIONAL DEMO

We urge all who agree to attend our national demonstration next month. It’s time to break with Trump and US militarism!

If you have events you want us to promote on Leftfield contact us here.