David Klemperer
@dmk1793.bsky.social
Historian, researcher, and co-editor of @renewaljournal.bsky.social
Pinned
David Klemperer
@dmk1793.bsky.social
· Oct 26
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Really enjoyed recording this discussion with David Runciman, covering threats to democracy, early 20thc theories of oligarchy, how algorithmic social media is changing politics, the problem with 19thc approaches to suffrage - and much, much more!
Reposted by David Klemperer
What will the budget mean for economic growth? Experts give their view, with Professor Phil Tomlinson (@prt1969.bsky.social) discussing investment in infrastructure and industry. Read the blog post here: buff.ly/DphY8nO
What will the budget mean for economic growth? Experts give their view
Did Rachel Reeves’ second budget provide any glimmers of hope?
blogs.bath.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
What will the budget mean for economic growth? Experts give their view, with Professor Phil Tomlinson (@prt1969.bsky.social) discussing investment in infrastructure and industry. Read the blog post here: buff.ly/DphY8nO
Reposted by David Klemperer
Russia is waging a well documented sabotage campaign against European economic and military infrastructure vs. No it isn’t
if no one else is willing to say it, i will: i don’t think russia is going to attack ireland
When it comes to modern war, Ireland is a high-value target: its waters on the western fringe of Europe contain three-quarters of all undersea cables in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, is unprotected and unprepared.
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Russia is waging a well documented sabotage campaign against European economic and military infrastructure vs. No it isn’t
Reposted by David Klemperer
The fundamental political-economy for the government is that is objectively implementing a soft left economic policy on speed whilst being hated by lots of left leaning people because of its other policies and rhetoric.
November 26, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The fundamental political-economy for the government is that is objectively implementing a soft left economic policy on speed whilst being hated by lots of left leaning people because of its other policies and rhetoric.
Reposted by David Klemperer
Excellent piece as usual.
This observation about constraining domestic consumption to increase investment - and the vicious politics of that - is particularly important. It is manifestly not grasped by many - including, concerningly, government ministers.
This observation about constraining domestic consumption to increase investment - and the vicious politics of that - is particularly important. It is manifestly not grasped by many - including, concerningly, government ministers.
November 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Excellent piece as usual.
This observation about constraining domestic consumption to increase investment - and the vicious politics of that - is particularly important. It is manifestly not grasped by many - including, concerningly, government ministers.
This observation about constraining domestic consumption to increase investment - and the vicious politics of that - is particularly important. It is manifestly not grasped by many - including, concerningly, government ministers.
Reposted by David Klemperer
If what we are actually seeing is a reversion to pre-40s levels of productivity growth - and it was just a blip - then that has seismic implications for the state, particularly given our demographic profile.
The most interesting OBR paper yesterday was the one that didn't leak - the justification for their productivity downgrade. There's a very important assumption in it that could make or break the government.
November 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM
If what we are actually seeing is a reversion to pre-40s levels of productivity growth - and it was just a blip - then that has seismic implications for the state, particularly given our demographic profile.
Reposted by David Klemperer
Worth saying they tech policy (which is currently economically driven) is not at all left-wing though - strongly influenced by Silicon Valley tech and US foreign policy, with a sprinkle of Centrist Dad tech authoritarianism
Starmer and Reeves run probably the most economically left-wing government of past five decades and yet bleeding support to its left thanks to dumb strategy www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 27, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Worth saying they tech policy (which is currently economically driven) is not at all left-wing though - strongly influenced by Silicon Valley tech and US foreign policy, with a sprinkle of Centrist Dad tech authoritarianism
Reposted by David Klemperer
Finally got round to giving @benansell.bsky.social's latest. It's also one of his very best - especially if you want to understand the extent to which Reform voters (often talked of as 'the people' and, apparently therefore, representative of all UK voters) are real outliers, culturally-speaking.
Odd Ones Out
Mapping Britain's social values and the marginalisation of the 'anti-woke'
benansell.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Finally got round to giving @benansell.bsky.social's latest. It's also one of his very best - especially if you want to understand the extent to which Reform voters (often talked of as 'the people' and, apparently therefore, representative of all UK voters) are real outliers, culturally-speaking.
Reposted by David Klemperer
The thing about "left on the economy, right on culture" is it's based on analysis of swing voters. Those voters are often low attention and their politics are often not especially coherent. Which is fine for them, it's not their job to run the country, but, you know, the government is
November 27, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The thing about "left on the economy, right on culture" is it's based on analysis of swing voters. Those voters are often low attention and their politics are often not especially coherent. Which is fine for them, it's not their job to run the country, but, you know, the government is
Reposted by David Klemperer
Today I consider The Singularity. Are we heading for abundance, destruction or something else?
Staring into The Singularity
Generative AI and the transformation of humanity
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Today I consider The Singularity. Are we heading for abundance, destruction or something else?
Reposted by David Klemperer
📣New @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
🚨 New analysis alert!
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
November 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
📣New @jrf-uk.bsky.social analysis
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
Scrapping the 2 child limit alone has reversed the projected decline in living standards by *more than half* for the bottom third of households
1/2
Reposted by David Klemperer
Starmer and Reeves run probably the most economically left-wing government of past five decades and yet bleeding support to its left thanks to dumb strategy www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 27, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Starmer and Reeves run probably the most economically left-wing government of past five decades and yet bleeding support to its left thanks to dumb strategy www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Reposted by David Klemperer
I also think that part of this is the weird disappearance of economics from our national debate.
It just... doesnt seem to matter that much to many people
It just... doesnt seem to matter that much to many people
Starmer and Reeves run probably the most economically left-wing government of past five decades and yet bleeding support to its left thanks to dumb strategy www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I also think that part of this is the weird disappearance of economics from our national debate.
It just... doesnt seem to matter that much to many people
It just... doesnt seem to matter that much to many people
Reposted by David Klemperer
A pretty good rule of thumb for thid Government is that if there is a internal battle, Ed tends to win
A good day for Ed Miliband: mansion tax introduced, green levies moved off bills to taxation, ban on new North Sea oil and gas licences confirmed.
November 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM
A pretty good rule of thumb for thid Government is that if there is a internal battle, Ed tends to win
Reposted by David Klemperer
Some thoughts on the budget and a big announcement that reminded us what a Labour government can do. We need much more of this sort of thing.
Labour just did something vital - now we need much more of it
ECHO political editor welcomes a major move from Rachel Reeves in her budget and calls for more.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Some thoughts on the budget and a big announcement that reminded us what a Labour government can do. We need much more of this sort of thing.
Reposted by David Klemperer
The two child cap news is big for MPs and more importantly for the country.
But will the budget as a whole boost Starmer over the longer term amongst his discontented ranks? Personally I doubt it.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
But will the budget as a whole boost Starmer over the longer term amongst his discontented ranks? Personally I doubt it.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
The Budget: our writers’ verdicts
Louise Haigh, Faiza Shaheen, James Meadway and others respond to the Chancellor
www.newstatesman.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The two child cap news is big for MPs and more importantly for the country.
But will the budget as a whole boost Starmer over the longer term amongst his discontented ranks? Personally I doubt it.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
But will the budget as a whole boost Starmer over the longer term amongst his discontented ranks? Personally I doubt it.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by David Klemperer
Reposted by David Klemperer
everyone loooves CMAT's musical exorcism of the ghosts of the Celtic Tiger 🙄 and yet somewhat less hype for my dark ambient triptych exploring the soundscapes of the Barber Boom ?
September 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
everyone loooves CMAT's musical exorcism of the ghosts of the Celtic Tiger 🙄 and yet somewhat less hype for my dark ambient triptych exploring the soundscapes of the Barber Boom ?
Amidst the many ups and downs of this government, it's nice to see the Co-operative Party consistently succeeding in its push for more community ownership and co-operative business
💼 IN THE BUDGET:
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms a call for evidence on support for co-op growth, as part of our shared mission to double the size of the co-operative sector.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms a call for evidence on support for co-op growth, as part of our shared mission to double the size of the co-operative sector.
November 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Amidst the many ups and downs of this government, it's nice to see the Co-operative Party consistently succeeding in its push for more community ownership and co-operative business
Reposted by David Klemperer
One key thing Zohran can learn from Milwaukee's sewer socialists is that to deliver transformative reforms you need to lean on mass movement pressure
November 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
One key thing Zohran can learn from Milwaukee's sewer socialists is that to deliver transformative reforms you need to lean on mass movement pressure
Reposted by David Klemperer
Wave of the future right here:
November 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Wave of the future right here:
Reposted by David Klemperer
you just can't have a meaningful conversation about the potential benefits of "AI" while this stuff is happening. it's like trying to talk about how useful an airplane might be during a hijacking
What the leaked AI executive order tells us about the Big Tech power grab
What the leaked AI executive order tells us about the Big Tech power grab
Should states write their own AI laws, or should David Sacks?
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
you just can't have a meaningful conversation about the potential benefits of "AI" while this stuff is happening. it's like trying to talk about how useful an airplane might be during a hijacking
Reposted by David Klemperer
Warning Signs For The Left? After muted reception for recent album I Quit, industry insiders say Columbia is set to unveil a new, fourth, anti-woke Haim sister in the latest conservative coup over corporate America
September 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Warning Signs For The Left? After muted reception for recent album I Quit, industry insiders say Columbia is set to unveil a new, fourth, anti-woke Haim sister in the latest conservative coup over corporate America
Reposted by David Klemperer
gently approaching the bond markets with a tempting handful of hay and a heavy weighted blanket
September 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
gently approaching the bond markets with a tempting handful of hay and a heavy weighted blanket
Reposted by David Klemperer
Bond markets spooked as the Chancellor appears to disappear behind raised hands; gilts stage rally as she reveals she was actually there the whole time
October 30, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Bond markets spooked as the Chancellor appears to disappear behind raised hands; gilts stage rally as she reveals she was actually there the whole time
Some astute budget commentary here from @parth0.bsky.social, @ruthcurtice.bsky.social, @meadwaj.bsky.social, @louisehaighmp.bsky.social, and @morganj0nes.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
The Budget: our writers’ verdicts
Louise Haigh, Faiza Shaheen, James Meadway and others respond to the Chancellor
www.newstatesman.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Some astute budget commentary here from @parth0.bsky.social, @ruthcurtice.bsky.social, @meadwaj.bsky.social, @louisehaighmp.bsky.social, and @morganj0nes.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...