Martin O'Neill
@martinoneill.bsky.social
Dad of four; London-Irish turned northerner; Arsenal fan; professor of political philosophy at the University of York; trustee at the Democracy Collaborative. Writing about the theory and practice of social and economic justice.
Pinned
On the Responsibility of Citizens - Boston Review
Ordinary resistance and ordinary responsibility falls on all of us, whatever our jobs, positions, or roles in society.
www.bostonreview.net
I've written a piece for the 50th Anniversary edition of @bostonreview.bsky.social. It's about the courageous people who have been standing up to condemn the genocide in Gaza, and about the morally corrupted politicians who have tried to silence those protests.
www.bostonreview.net/forum/the-re...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/the-re...
Ahead of the Budget, good to see this briefing from @acadsocsciences.bsky.social & @fairness.bsky.social, looking at how high levels of inequality hold back the UK economy. The briefing draws on the report on wealth taxes that Howard Reed and I published last month. 1/2👇
acss.org.uk/publications...
acss.org.uk/publications...
Wealth inequality and growth in the UK – Academy of Social Sciences
acss.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Ahead of the Budget, good to see this briefing from @acadsocsciences.bsky.social & @fairness.bsky.social, looking at how high levels of inequality hold back the UK economy. The briefing draws on the report on wealth taxes that Howard Reed and I published last month. 1/2👇
acss.org.uk/publications...
acss.org.uk/publications...
A welcome & wise intervention from Julian Richer, making the simple & important point: success in life is often down to sheer good fortune. Those who have found success in their own lives should acknowledge this, and what follows from it. @fairness.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Do you feel lucky? Why acknowledging our own good fortune would make the world a better place | Julian Richer
I have been fortunate, and I know it. Now I’d like more successful people to admit that meritocracy is a myth, says Julian Richer, founder of Richer Sounds
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
A welcome & wise intervention from Julian Richer, making the simple & important point: success in life is often down to sheer good fortune. Those who have found success in their own lives should acknowledge this, and what follows from it. @fairness.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill (@martinoneill.bsky.social) has just published a piece that reflects on the experience of bringing together philosophy and the practice of community wealth building, in an important new volume on public philosophy. Read the whole thing, here: www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
November 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Martin O'Neill (@martinoneill.bsky.social) has just published a piece that reflects on the experience of bringing together philosophy and the practice of community wealth building, in an important new volume on public philosophy. Read the whole thing, here: www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
The Labour Government reeling off the same far-right talking points on immigration. And look who is celebrating. The far-right.
There is a political alternative that won’t ever scapegoat those fleeing war, persecution and torture
join.greenparty.org.uk
There is a political alternative that won’t ever scapegoat those fleeing war, persecution and torture
join.greenparty.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The Labour Government reeling off the same far-right talking points on immigration. And look who is celebrating. The far-right.
There is a political alternative that won’t ever scapegoat those fleeing war, persecution and torture
join.greenparty.org.uk
There is a political alternative that won’t ever scapegoat those fleeing war, persecution and torture
join.greenparty.org.uk
This is just a Michael D. Higgins appreciation post. A truly wonderful President of Ireland, and a man with great taste in books. Wishing him all health and happiness (and time to read) in his retirement! @communitywealth.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 8:53 PM
This is just a Michael D. Higgins appreciation post. A truly wonderful President of Ireland, and a man with great taste in books. Wishing him all health and happiness (and time to read) in his retirement! @communitywealth.bsky.social
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
Reminder: York Centre for Social Justice and Democracy (formerly known as York Centre for Political Theory) 2026 BOOK MANUSCRIPT WORKSHOP (DEADLINE Friday, 19 December 2025)
Information can be found here:
www.york.ac.uk/politics/cpt...
APPLY and, please, circulate widely! @martinoneill.bsky.social
Information can be found here:
www.york.ac.uk/politics/cpt...
APPLY and, please, circulate widely! @martinoneill.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reminder: York Centre for Social Justice and Democracy (formerly known as York Centre for Political Theory) 2026 BOOK MANUSCRIPT WORKSHOP (DEADLINE Friday, 19 December 2025)
Information can be found here:
www.york.ac.uk/politics/cpt...
APPLY and, please, circulate widely! @martinoneill.bsky.social
Information can be found here:
www.york.ac.uk/politics/cpt...
APPLY and, please, circulate widely! @martinoneill.bsky.social
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
‘Is it institutionally biased? No. Is it institutionally unimaginative and insufficiently curious to all radical political ideas? Yes.’ @lewisgoodall.com on you know what goodallandgoodluck.substack.com/p/the-truth-...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
goodallandgoodluck.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:31 PM
‘Is it institutionally biased? No. Is it institutionally unimaginative and insufficiently curious to all radical political ideas? Yes.’ @lewisgoodall.com on you know what goodallandgoodluck.substack.com/p/the-truth-...
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
Coverage in The Times of our concerns about how languages will fare under the proposed changes to the national curriculum
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Coverage in The Times of our concerns about how languages will fare under the proposed changes to the national curriculum
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
www.thetimes.com/article/9b0f... @britishacademy.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social
Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech is a truly great political speech. Socialist commitments front and centre (inc. a shoutout to Eugene Debs!) — he’s secure in his political tradition and his values, and is pushing them forward into the future with confidence and optimism. ✊👍😊
youtu.be/R6ocK3AZ24U?...
youtu.be/R6ocK3AZ24U?...
Zohran Mamdani's full victory speech following New York mayor election
YouTube video by Guardian News
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Zohran Mamdani’s victory speech is a truly great political speech. Socialist commitments front and centre (inc. a shoutout to Eugene Debs!) — he’s secure in his political tradition and his values, and is pushing them forward into the future with confidence and optimism. ✊👍😊
youtu.be/R6ocK3AZ24U?...
youtu.be/R6ocK3AZ24U?...
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
November 5, 2025 at 5:22 AM
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
Good political news is a very rare and precious commodity at the moment. The way ahead won’t be easy, but for now it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social’s win in New York City — a big victory for a practical but principled socialist politics.
November 5, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Good political news is a very rare and precious commodity at the moment. The way ahead won’t be easy, but for now it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social’s win in New York City — a big victory for a practical but principled socialist politics.
My son Joe has come up with what would be a brilliant pub quiz question:
What do the following people have in common:
Henry Kissinger, Bob Hope, Whoopi Goldberg, Nelson Mandela, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Pope John Paul II, Jesse Jackson, and Pope Francis?
What do the following people have in common:
Henry Kissinger, Bob Hope, Whoopi Goldberg, Nelson Mandela, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Pope John Paul II, Jesse Jackson, and Pope Francis?
November 4, 2025 at 1:02 PM
My son Joe has come up with what would be a brilliant pub quiz question:
What do the following people have in common:
Henry Kissinger, Bob Hope, Whoopi Goldberg, Nelson Mandela, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Pope John Paul II, Jesse Jackson, and Pope Francis?
What do the following people have in common:
Henry Kissinger, Bob Hope, Whoopi Goldberg, Nelson Mandela, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Pope John Paul II, Jesse Jackson, and Pope Francis?
Fingers crossed that today we’ll see a socialist elected as Mayor of New York City. Zohran Mamdani’s campaign shows there’s a huge appetite for practical socialist policies, building public infrastructure and addressing the cost of living. There’s political hope for the future! #VoteZohran #Mamdani
November 4, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Fingers crossed that today we’ll see a socialist elected as Mayor of New York City. Zohran Mamdani’s campaign shows there’s a huge appetite for practical socialist policies, building public infrastructure and addressing the cost of living. There’s political hope for the future! #VoteZohran #Mamdani
Very glad to be part of this volume on public philosophy — “The Point is to Change It”: Essays on Philosophy in Public Life — edited by David Archard and Matt Davies for the @nuffieldfoundation.org, and with a great cast of contributors.
Available here:
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
Available here:
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
“The point is to change it”: Essays on philosophy in public life - Nuffield Foundation
This volume is focused on how philosophers might help us to think about big public themes.
www.nuffieldfoundation.org
November 3, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Very glad to be part of this volume on public philosophy — “The Point is to Change It”: Essays on Philosophy in Public Life — edited by David Archard and Matt Davies for the @nuffieldfoundation.org, and with a great cast of contributors.
Available here:
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
Available here:
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
New book supported by the @nuffieldfoundation.org on what philosophy can contribute to public life. Contributors include @jowolff.bsky.social @tariqmodood.bsky.social @lornographic.bsky.social @martinoneill.bsky.social @profclarechambers.bsky.social
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
“The point is to change it”: Essays on philosophy in public life - Nuffield Foundation
This volume is focused on how philosophers might help us to think about big public themes.
www.nuffieldfoundation.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:11 AM
New book supported by the @nuffieldfoundation.org on what philosophy can contribute to public life. Contributors include @jowolff.bsky.social @tariqmodood.bsky.social @lornographic.bsky.social @martinoneill.bsky.social @profclarechambers.bsky.social
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/research/our...
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
"The point is to change it" — a volume of new essays from 21 leading academics exploring the role of philosophy in public life — launches today!
Contributors include @tariqmodood.bsky.social, @martinoneill.bsky.social, @jowolff.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social and more.
Click below to read 👇🦉
Contributors include @tariqmodood.bsky.social, @martinoneill.bsky.social, @jowolff.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social and more.
Click below to read 👇🦉
Essays on philosophy in public life - Nuffield Foundation
www.nuffieldfoundation.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:47 AM
"The point is to change it" — a volume of new essays from 21 leading academics exploring the role of philosophy in public life — launches today!
Contributors include @tariqmodood.bsky.social, @martinoneill.bsky.social, @jowolff.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social and more.
Click below to read 👇🦉
Contributors include @tariqmodood.bsky.social, @martinoneill.bsky.social, @jowolff.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social and more.
Click below to read 👇🦉
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
Huge thank you to our contributors, including:
🔹 @tariqmodood.bsky.social
🔹 @martinoneill.bsky.social
🔹 @jowolff.bsky.social
🔹 @elkeschwarz.bsky.social
And to @halcyene.bsky.social and Professor David Archard for editing the collection.
🔹 @tariqmodood.bsky.social
🔹 @martinoneill.bsky.social
🔹 @jowolff.bsky.social
🔹 @elkeschwarz.bsky.social
And to @halcyene.bsky.social and Professor David Archard for editing the collection.
November 3, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Huge thank you to our contributors, including:
🔹 @tariqmodood.bsky.social
🔹 @martinoneill.bsky.social
🔹 @jowolff.bsky.social
🔹 @elkeschwarz.bsky.social
And to @halcyene.bsky.social and Professor David Archard for editing the collection.
🔹 @tariqmodood.bsky.social
🔹 @martinoneill.bsky.social
🔹 @jowolff.bsky.social
🔹 @elkeschwarz.bsky.social
And to @halcyene.bsky.social and Professor David Archard for editing the collection.
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor? Pshaw: they should go for the full Andrew Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg-Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
October 30, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor? Pshaw: they should go for the full Andrew Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg-Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Very good interview by Oliver Eagleton with Peter Oborne, discussing Oborne’s new book on the complicity of the British state — and of the current British political class — in Israel’s genocidal crimes in Gaza. @jacobinmagazin.bsky.social
jacobin.com/2025/10/uk-s...
jacobin.com/2025/10/uk-s...
How Britain’s Political Class Enabled Genocide In Gaza
From Rishi Sunak to Keir Starmer, Britain’s political class has supported Israel’s atrocities in Gaza to the hilt while attempting to supress protests against genocide on the home front. They’ll never...
jacobin.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Very good interview by Oliver Eagleton with Peter Oborne, discussing Oborne’s new book on the complicity of the British state — and of the current British political class — in Israel’s genocidal crimes in Gaza. @jacobinmagazin.bsky.social
jacobin.com/2025/10/uk-s...
jacobin.com/2025/10/uk-s...
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
🚨 Today, Common Wealth launches the Green Planning Commission.
A major new initiative to tackle the twin crises of our era: climate breakdown & the affordability crisis.
To meet these challenges, we need a new era of democratic planning.
🧵
https://www.common-wealth.org/green-planning-commission
A major new initiative to tackle the twin crises of our era: climate breakdown & the affordability crisis.
To meet these challenges, we need a new era of democratic planning.
🧵
https://www.common-wealth.org/green-planning-commission
October 30, 2025 at 9:04 AM
🚨 Today, Common Wealth launches the Green Planning Commission.
A major new initiative to tackle the twin crises of our era: climate breakdown & the affordability crisis.
To meet these challenges, we need a new era of democratic planning.
🧵
https://www.common-wealth.org/green-planning-commission
A major new initiative to tackle the twin crises of our era: climate breakdown & the affordability crisis.
To meet these challenges, we need a new era of democratic planning.
🧵
https://www.common-wealth.org/green-planning-commission
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
Great report - very readable, very clear. And some great dismantling of the usual objections to a Wealth Tax! The Chancellor must be apprehensive about going for the middle and working classes. I hope she reads this and sees just how viable a Wealth Tax could be...
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Great report - very readable, very clear. And some great dismantling of the usual objections to a Wealth Tax! The Chancellor must be apprehensive about going for the middle and working classes. I hope she reads this and sees just how viable a Wealth Tax could be...
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
There's only one @martinoneill.bsky.social.
October 27, 2025 at 10:30 PM
There's only one @martinoneill.bsky.social.
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
What a sky, Bluesky!
Rather a lovely sunset here at the University of York @york.ac.uk, to mark the end of a busy teaching week, and the start of the welcome break of our “Consolidation Week”.
@uoylibrary.bsky.social
www.york.ac.uk/students/new...
@uoylibrary.bsky.social
www.york.ac.uk/students/new...
October 28, 2025 at 10:09 AM
What a sky, Bluesky!
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
Even the Healy Rae machine (they canvassed for Humphreys) is vulnerable to left unity. Final tally in Kerry has Catherine Connolly on 62% #aras25 #speirgorm #ConnollywillbePresident
October 25, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Even the Healy Rae machine (they canvassed for Humphreys) is vulnerable to left unity. Final tally in Kerry has Catherine Connolly on 62% #aras25 #speirgorm #ConnollywillbePresident
Reposted by Martin O'Neill
Another parable from George Osborne's Britain
October 25, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Another parable from George Osborne's Britain