Mathew Lawrence
@mathewlawrence.bsky.social
Founder & Director @cmmonwealth.bsky.social
https://www.common-wealth.org/
Co-author of Planet on Fire & Owning the Future
https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/blogs/authors/lawrence-mathew
https://www.common-wealth.org/
Co-author of Planet on Fire & Owning the Future
https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/blogs/authors/lawrence-mathew
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
following up on my "Beyond Bidenomics" piece from last week, we have @brusselermel.bsky.social in the FT this week making the case for a more serious commitment to economic planning in future progressive economic policy work:
www.ft.com/content/dda5...
www.ft.com/content/dda5...
Bidenomics wasn’t ambitious enough
Rapid decarbonisation will require an overhaul of local energy authorities and better macroeconomic planning
www.ft.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
following up on my "Beyond Bidenomics" piece from last week, we have @brusselermel.bsky.social in the FT this week making the case for a more serious commitment to economic planning in future progressive economic policy work:
www.ft.com/content/dda5...
www.ft.com/content/dda5...
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Very good @brusselermel.bsky.social - and what timing to publish this call for planning the American economy.
Wonder what the Fed does in that progressive future :)
Wonder what the Fed does in that progressive future :)
In the @financialtimes.com today on green planning and decommodification of life's essentials or bust post-IRA and Bidenomics. www.ft.com/content/dda5...
August 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Very good @brusselermel.bsky.social - and what timing to publish this call for planning the American economy.
Wonder what the Fed does in that progressive future :)
Wonder what the Fed does in that progressive future :)
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
so okay! first piece out from me at Common Wealth
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Beyond Bidenomics | Perspectives
On what is living and what is dead in economic policy.
www.common-wealth.org
August 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
so okay! first piece out from me at Common Wealth
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Haven’t had a chance to read this yet, but looks very promising.
so okay! first piece out from me at Common Wealth
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
"Beyond Bidenomics: On what is living and what is dead in economic policy"
the argument is that progressives should take credit for the successful parts of the pandemic policy response and build the next Thing
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Beyond Bidenomics | Perspectives
On what is living and what is dead in economic policy.
www.common-wealth.org
August 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Haven’t had a chance to read this yet, but looks very promising.
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
We are so excited that @atwilliams.bsky.social is joining @cmmonwealth.bsky.social! He’s been so instrumental to our thinking and with the rest of EA in driving progressive economic policy from big fiscal to green industrial policy. Next: decommodification, green planning, industrial democracy.
okay so this is as good a moment as any to, as is traditional in econ culture, "share some JOLTS news"
Tomorrow is my last day at employamerica.org!
The last 5 years have been so wild.
Soon I will be at common-wealth.org, where I'll be helping build their US team and laying out this new approach.
Tomorrow is my last day at employamerica.org!
The last 5 years have been so wild.
Soon I will be at common-wealth.org, where I'll be helping build their US team and laying out this new approach.
In a post-tariff, post-TCJA 2.0 world with higher interest rates and deficits, it's looking pretty difficult for non-college and younger Americans, but I don't think any of progressives, institutional Democrats, or MAGA Republicans have good policy answers at the moment. We need something new.
May 22, 2025 at 5:13 PM
We are so excited that @atwilliams.bsky.social is joining @cmmonwealth.bsky.social! He’s been so instrumental to our thinking and with the rest of EA in driving progressive economic policy from big fiscal to green industrial policy. Next: decommodification, green planning, industrial democracy.
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Let’s be clear that Shell—a company that has prioritised fossil fuel expansion— is driving insecurity in retirement for us all. Not only because of the catastrophic economic & social impacts of climate change…
🧵
news.sky.com/story/shells...
🧵
news.sky.com/story/shells...
Shell's new strategy is good news for your savings
Sky's Ian King writes that while the UK energy firm's climate commitments continue to attract criticism, there is much for savers to welcome in its strategy update.
news.sky.com
March 25, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Let’s be clear that Shell—a company that has prioritised fossil fuel expansion— is driving insecurity in retirement for us all. Not only because of the catastrophic economic & social impacts of climate change…
🧵
news.sky.com/story/shells...
🧵
news.sky.com/story/shells...
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Public compute — state provision of computing resources — could be a powerful tool for reshaping the AI sector.
In our report, Jai Vipra and I offer an overview of existing approaches, and recommendations for avoiding industry capture, reducing environmental harms, and delivering public value
1/5
In our report, Jai Vipra and I offer an overview of existing approaches, and recommendations for avoiding industry capture, reducing environmental harms, and delivering public value
1/5
Access to compute resource has become a key factor in who can participate in AI development.
Ada’s new report, supported by @mozilla.org, provides policymakers with recommendations for getting public compute policy right.
www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/compu...
Ada’s new report, supported by @mozilla.org, provides policymakers with recommendations for getting public compute policy right.
www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/compu...
Computing Commons
Designing public compute for people and society
www.adalovelaceinstitute.org
February 7, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Public compute — state provision of computing resources — could be a powerful tool for reshaping the AI sector.
In our report, Jai Vipra and I offer an overview of existing approaches, and recommendations for avoiding industry capture, reducing environmental harms, and delivering public value
1/5
In our report, Jai Vipra and I offer an overview of existing approaches, and recommendations for avoiding industry capture, reducing environmental harms, and delivering public value
1/5
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
First issue of The Break Down is on Trump, the new right and the climate, and is now open for pitches ([email protected])
Details below!
Details below!
As part of our new plans, we’re taking pitches for our first themed issue! 🎉🖋️📄
See our website break-down.org/about for full details.
To submit, email us at [email protected]
See our website break-down.org/about for full details.
To submit, email us at [email protected]
About
The Break Down is dedicated to examining how capitalism has both shaped, and is being reshaped by, accelerating climate and ecological crisis. Launched in May 2024, we publish long-form interviews, or...
break-down.org
February 4, 2025 at 4:25 PM
First issue of The Break Down is on Trump, the new right and the climate, and is now open for pitches ([email protected])
Details below!
Details below!
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Write for us!! Full details on our website.
As part of our new plans, we’re taking pitches for our first themed issue! 🎉🖋️📄
See our website break-down.org/about for full details.
To submit, email us at [email protected]
See our website break-down.org/about for full details.
To submit, email us at [email protected]
About
The Break Down is dedicated to examining how capitalism has both shaped, and is being reshaped by, accelerating climate and ecological crisis. Launched in May 2024, we publish long-form interviews, or...
break-down.org
January 31, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Write for us!! Full details on our website.
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
🌟We're recruiting!🌟
We're looking for a Digital Strategy Officer to join our growing team.
If you've got an eye for impactful social media content and are passionate about climate and ecological crisis, we'd love to hear from you!
Deadline: February 26th.
www.common-wealth.org/vacancies/di...
We're looking for a Digital Strategy Officer to join our growing team.
If you've got an eye for impactful social media content and are passionate about climate and ecological crisis, we'd love to hear from you!
Deadline: February 26th.
www.common-wealth.org/vacancies/di...
Vacancies | Digital Strategy Officer — The Break Down
Remote (UK-based).
www.common-wealth.org
February 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
🌟We're recruiting!🌟
We're looking for a Digital Strategy Officer to join our growing team.
If you've got an eye for impactful social media content and are passionate about climate and ecological crisis, we'd love to hear from you!
Deadline: February 26th.
www.common-wealth.org/vacancies/di...
We're looking for a Digital Strategy Officer to join our growing team.
If you've got an eye for impactful social media content and are passionate about climate and ecological crisis, we'd love to hear from you!
Deadline: February 26th.
www.common-wealth.org/vacancies/di...
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
🗽📑 Common Wealth is launching a new US research & policy program.
Trump has returned to power. The far right is becoming even more cemented in US politics.
🧵 We must build an alternative progressive political project. But what would this look like?
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Trump has returned to power. The far right is becoming even more cemented in US politics.
🧵 We must build an alternative progressive political project. But what would this look like?
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
A New Green Democratic Republic for the 21st Century | Briefing | Common Wealth
Launching Common Wealth’s US Program.
www.common-wealth.org
January 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
🗽📑 Common Wealth is launching a new US research & policy program.
Trump has returned to power. The far right is becoming even more cemented in US politics.
🧵 We must build an alternative progressive political project. But what would this look like?
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Trump has returned to power. The far right is becoming even more cemented in US politics.
🧵 We must build an alternative progressive political project. But what would this look like?
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
"Progressive forces, disorientated & scattered, groping for programme & popular strategy, appear helpless on the stage of history, lacking the means or strength to effect such an epochal transformation."
@mathewlawrence.bsky.social on imploding fossil capital.
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
@mathewlawrence.bsky.social on imploding fossil capital.
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Planet vs Property | Perspectives
On dismantling fossil capital.
www.common-wealth.org
January 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
"Progressive forces, disorientated & scattered, groping for programme & popular strategy, appear helpless on the stage of history, lacking the means or strength to effect such an epochal transformation."
@mathewlawrence.bsky.social on imploding fossil capital.
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
@mathewlawrence.bsky.social on imploding fossil capital.
www.common-wealth.org/perspectives...
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Great this by @cmmonwealth.bsky.social.
Worth noting that the core idea -- regional economic development is always a palimpsest, w/ one historic layer shaping what comes next/"on top" -- is that which Doreen Massey expounded in book-length form in the magisterial Spatial Divisions of Labor (1984).
Worth noting that the core idea -- regional economic development is always a palimpsest, w/ one historic layer shaping what comes next/"on top" -- is that which Doreen Massey expounded in book-length form in the magisterial Spatial Divisions of Labor (1984).
We can’t understand the geography of capitalism in our present moment without seeing how these old industries overlap with the new.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
December 10, 2024 at 9:39 AM
Great this by @cmmonwealth.bsky.social.
Worth noting that the core idea -- regional economic development is always a palimpsest, w/ one historic layer shaping what comes next/"on top" -- is that which Doreen Massey expounded in book-length form in the magisterial Spatial Divisions of Labor (1984).
Worth noting that the core idea -- regional economic development is always a palimpsest, w/ one historic layer shaping what comes next/"on top" -- is that which Doreen Massey expounded in book-length form in the magisterial Spatial Divisions of Labor (1984).
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Finally digging into this brilliant example of powerful, interactive storytelling rooted in politics, people & place.
My grandparents lived in Worksop - just north of Mansfield - after arriving to the UK from Jamaica. Grandad worked in Manton Colliery (now a truck depot) & Grandma in a factory.
My grandparents lived in Worksop - just north of Mansfield - after arriving to the UK from Jamaica. Grandad worked in Manton Colliery (now a truck depot) & Grandma in a factory.
We can’t understand the geography of capitalism in our present moment without seeing how these old industries overlap with the new.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
December 10, 2024 at 9:42 AM
Finally digging into this brilliant example of powerful, interactive storytelling rooted in politics, people & place.
My grandparents lived in Worksop - just north of Mansfield - after arriving to the UK from Jamaica. Grandad worked in Manton Colliery (now a truck depot) & Grandma in a factory.
My grandparents lived in Worksop - just north of Mansfield - after arriving to the UK from Jamaica. Grandad worked in Manton Colliery (now a truck depot) & Grandma in a factory.
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Happy holidays! 🎄
For the festive season, we wanted to share with you what we’re reading this winter at Common Wealth.
🧵
For the festive season, we wanted to share with you what we’re reading this winter at Common Wealth.
🧵
December 12, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Happy holidays! 🎄
For the festive season, we wanted to share with you what we’re reading this winter at Common Wealth.
🧵
For the festive season, we wanted to share with you what we’re reading this winter at Common Wealth.
🧵
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
Great piece by @cominsitu.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social : "any politics of nature that neatly fits within the existing political economic framework without changing the property relations themselves is doomed, in practice, to fail"
www.break-down.org/post/sociali...
www.break-down.org/post/sociali...
Socialising Nature
How we can live together without exploiting each other? This is the work of socialising nature.
www.break-down.org
November 28, 2024 at 11:36 PM
Great piece by @cominsitu.bsky.social on @the-breakdown.bsky.social : "any politics of nature that neatly fits within the existing political economic framework without changing the property relations themselves is doomed, in practice, to fail"
www.break-down.org/post/sociali...
www.break-down.org/post/sociali...
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
🏠 How do we fix the housing crisis?
Ensuring decent & secure homes for all starts with knowing how we own, invest & access housing.
To launch our new housing programme, @chrismwhayes argues expanding supply is key — but the market alone will not suffice.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Ensuring decent & secure homes for all starts with knowing how we own, invest & access housing.
To launch our new housing programme, @chrismwhayes argues expanding supply is key — but the market alone will not suffice.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
The Antisocial Contract | Briefing | Common Wealth
Reliance on speculative private developers and market coordination will neither deliver the scale of housebuilding needed to tackle the crisis, nor address its acute distributional dimension. Both obj...
www.common-wealth.org
November 29, 2024 at 9:46 AM
🏠 How do we fix the housing crisis?
Ensuring decent & secure homes for all starts with knowing how we own, invest & access housing.
To launch our new housing programme, @chrismwhayes argues expanding supply is key — but the market alone will not suffice.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Ensuring decent & secure homes for all starts with knowing how we own, invest & access housing.
To launch our new housing programme, @chrismwhayes argues expanding supply is key — but the market alone will not suffice.
www.common-wealth.org/publications...
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
New from The Break Down!
@cominsitu.bsky.social examines our strategies for protecting nature and makes the case that new legal rights or norms are not enough - and only by transforming property relations can we stop nature’s destruction
@cominsitu.bsky.social examines our strategies for protecting nature and makes the case that new legal rights or norms are not enough - and only by transforming property relations can we stop nature’s destruction
“Unlike a workplace, nature cannot simply be seized by its employees & run under democratic self-management ... it is not just another factor of production... it is the condition & limit of our existence.”
Read @cominsitu.bsky.social on socialising nature 👇
break-down.org/post/sociali...
Read @cominsitu.bsky.social on socialising nature 👇
break-down.org/post/sociali...
Socialising Nature
How we can live together without exploiting each other? This is the work of socialising nature.
break-down.org
November 28, 2024 at 2:04 PM
New from The Break Down!
@cominsitu.bsky.social examines our strategies for protecting nature and makes the case that new legal rights or norms are not enough - and only by transforming property relations can we stop nature’s destruction
@cominsitu.bsky.social examines our strategies for protecting nature and makes the case that new legal rights or norms are not enough - and only by transforming property relations can we stop nature’s destruction
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
The crisis of the present was a choice. Incredible analysis.
We can’t understand the geography of capitalism in our present moment without seeing how these old industries overlap with the new.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
November 27, 2024 at 1:01 PM
The crisis of the present was a choice. Incredible analysis.
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
This is really interesting and resonates with the argument that @jwfurlong.bsky.social and I developed in The Changing Electoral Map of England and Wales (Oxford University Press, 2024) - there are multiple varieties of social and economic left behindedness that have distinct electoral expressions.
We can’t understand the geography of capitalism in our present moment without seeing how these old industries overlap with the new.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
This is really interesting and resonates with the argument that @jwfurlong.bsky.social and I developed in The Changing Electoral Map of England and Wales (Oxford University Press, 2024) - there are multiple varieties of social and economic left behindedness that have distinct electoral expressions.
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
An excellent analysis of the economic geography of two supposedly 'left behind' English towns, and would make an excellent teaching resource, as well having a clear critique of neoliberal capitalism.
We can’t understand the geography of capitalism in our present moment without seeing how these old industries overlap with the new.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
November 27, 2024 at 11:01 AM
An excellent analysis of the economic geography of two supposedly 'left behind' English towns, and would make an excellent teaching resource, as well having a clear critique of neoliberal capitalism.
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
This is a brilliant report from Common Wealth on the long and deep effects of deindustrialisation in the two Midlands towns of Mansfield and Corby
You can read the full report, “A Tale of Two Towns: Economic Disadvantage and Political Disempowerment in Ex-Industrial England” here: www.common-wealth.org/publications...
A Tale of Two Towns: Economic Disadvantage and Political Disempowerment in Ex-Industrial England | Report | Common Wealth
What do the stories of Mansfield and Corby tell us about the state of contemporary Britain?
www.common-wealth.org
November 26, 2024 at 6:25 PM
This is a brilliant report from Common Wealth on the long and deep effects of deindustrialisation in the two Midlands towns of Mansfield and Corby
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
More impressive work from @cmmonwealth.bsky.social.
We can’t understand the geography of capitalism in our present moment without seeing how these old industries overlap with the new.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
November 26, 2024 at 8:37 PM
More impressive work from @cmmonwealth.bsky.social.
Sad to hear Breyten Breytenbach has died.
His line on South Africa - ‘heartspace and the danger of beauty’ - always reminds me of the light in the valley where my father lives.
His line on South Africa - ‘heartspace and the danger of beauty’ - always reminds me of the light in the valley where my father lives.
November 26, 2024 at 9:27 PM
Sad to hear Breyten Breytenbach has died.
His line on South Africa - ‘heartspace and the danger of beauty’ - always reminds me of the light in the valley where my father lives.
His line on South Africa - ‘heartspace and the danger of beauty’ - always reminds me of the light in the valley where my father lives.
Reposted by Mathew Lawrence
We can’t understand the geography of capitalism in our present moment without seeing how these old industries overlap with the new.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
November 26, 2024 at 1:12 PM
We can’t understand the geography of capitalism in our present moment without seeing how these old industries overlap with the new.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.
"Two Towns" features an interactive map showing how ex-industrial towns were not “left behind” but actively made into havens for low-paid work.