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!
More straightforward dishonestly from Britain's worst columnist. Labour's 2024 manifesto was in fact *significantly further left* than the one Ed Miliband ran on in 2015.
As someone with an FT subscription, I feel badly let down that they published this.
www.ft.com/content/c9a2...
As someone with an FT subscription, I feel badly let down that they published this.
www.ft.com/content/c9a2...
February 11, 2026 at 12:28 PM
More straightforward dishonestly from Britain's worst columnist. Labour's 2024 manifesto was in fact *significantly further left* than the one Ed Miliband ran on in 2015.
As someone with an FT subscription, I feel badly let down that they published this.
www.ft.com/content/c9a2...
As someone with an FT subscription, I feel badly let down that they published this.
www.ft.com/content/c9a2...
Reposted by David Klemperer
Labour’s stealth leftism
The party’s next era will be defined by a shift in vibes rather than policy
By @georgeeaton.bsky.social
The party’s next era will be defined by a shift in vibes rather than policy
By @georgeeaton.bsky.social
Labour’s stealth leftism
The party’s next era will be defined by a shift in vibes rather than policy
www.newstatesman.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Labour’s stealth leftism
The party’s next era will be defined by a shift in vibes rather than policy
By @georgeeaton.bsky.social
The party’s next era will be defined by a shift in vibes rather than policy
By @georgeeaton.bsky.social
Reposted by David Klemperer
Wikipedia’s survival has never been under greater threat. There’s the growing volume of anti-Wikipedia sentiment on the right. And who will need Wikipedia if they can get an AI summary? Imogen West-Knights on the advantage that humans have in keeping it alive: www.thedial.world/articles/new...
In Search of Wikipedia’s Saviors — The Dial
Can Tom, Betty, Patricia and Isidora rescue the site from AI?
www.thedial.world
February 10, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Wikipedia’s survival has never been under greater threat. There’s the growing volume of anti-Wikipedia sentiment on the right. And who will need Wikipedia if they can get an AI summary? Imogen West-Knights on the advantage that humans have in keeping it alive: www.thedial.world/articles/new...
Reposted by David Klemperer
If Starmer changes tack or is replaced by someone to his “left”, the main shift will be tonal because the government has just been quite left wing. It put up taxes, spent more on public services and gave unions a load more powers
A good example of how strangely unpolitical this government is at times.
The Economist is fretting that trade union laws have been tilted (sharply!) back towards strengthening unions.
But is the government making an argument around this to progressive voters? No.
economist.com/britain/2026...
The Economist is fretting that trade union laws have been tilted (sharply!) back towards strengthening unions.
But is the government making an argument around this to progressive voters? No.
economist.com/britain/2026...
February 10, 2026 at 9:17 PM
If Starmer changes tack or is replaced by someone to his “left”, the main shift will be tonal because the government has just been quite left wing. It put up taxes, spent more on public services and gave unions a load more powers
Reposted by David Klemperer
Exclusive: OpenAI fired executive Ryan Beiermeister in January, citing sexual discrimination, after she opposed the planned AI erotica feature in ChatGPT, sources said.
OpenAI Executive Who Opposed ‘Adult Mode’ Fired for Sexual Discrimination
Ryan Beiermeister, who served as the vice president leading OpenAI’s product policy team, had raised concerns about the upcoming launch of erotic content.
on.wsj.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:59 AM
Exclusive: OpenAI fired executive Ryan Beiermeister in January, citing sexual discrimination, after she opposed the planned AI erotica feature in ChatGPT, sources said.
Reposted by David Klemperer
Europe is suffering from an ageing paradox.
Grey power is tilting governments toward preservation over progress, preventing the investment that is needed to manage ageing populations.
✍ Tim Vlandas @dspi-oxford.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
Grey power is tilting governments toward preservation over progress, preventing the investment that is needed to manage ageing populations.
✍ Tim Vlandas @dspi-oxford.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
Grey power is preventing the investment an ageing Europe needs
Grey power is tilting governments toward preservation over progress, preventing the investment needed to tackle the negative consequences of ageing populations.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
February 11, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Europe is suffering from an ageing paradox.
Grey power is tilting governments toward preservation over progress, preventing the investment that is needed to manage ageing populations.
✍ Tim Vlandas @dspi-oxford.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
Grey power is tilting governments toward preservation over progress, preventing the investment that is needed to manage ageing populations.
✍ Tim Vlandas @dspi-oxford.bsky.social blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...
Reposted by David Klemperer
Yet in the UK Palantir have NHS and MoD contracts. Absolutely bonkers.
This is the way forward. Palantir is a hostile agent.
"Switzerland’s military has terminated its contract with Palantir… following a security audit… concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies could potentially access sensitive Swiss defense data… significant reputational warning for the data analytics firm"
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
February 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Yet in the UK Palantir have NHS and MoD contracts. Absolutely bonkers.
Reposted by David Klemperer
This is the way forward. Palantir is a hostile agent.
"Switzerland’s military has terminated its contract with Palantir… following a security audit… concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies could potentially access sensitive Swiss defense data… significant reputational warning for the data analytics firm"
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
Palantir's Swiss Exit Highlights Global Data Sovereignty Challenge | NewsCase
Switzerland's military has terminated its contract with Palantir Technologies Inc. following a security audit. The review concluded that U.S. intelligence ag
www.newscase.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:59 AM
This is the way forward. Palantir is a hostile agent.
Reposted by David Klemperer
The Mandelson story is a rare glimpse into the private life of power, and the extent of state capture by unconstrained wealth. @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @ethanshone.bsky.social joined me on @lrb.co.uk ON POLITICS to lay out just what that corruption means: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
On Politics: Mandelson and the Private Life of Power
Podcast Episode · The LRB Podcast · 02/11/2026 · 1h 7m
podcasts.apple.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:01 AM
The Mandelson story is a rare glimpse into the private life of power, and the extent of state capture by unconstrained wealth. @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @ethanshone.bsky.social joined me on @lrb.co.uk ON POLITICS to lay out just what that corruption means: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Reposted by David Klemperer
I still think about this article, but reading Simone Weil on duties and rights brought it back to mind
The Gaza family torn apart by IDF snipers from Chicago and Munich
Five-month investigation reveals how four members of one family were shot and killed in a single day and highlights a pattern in which Israeli troops target unarmed civilians
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:17 AM
I still think about this article, but reading Simone Weil on duties and rights brought it back to mind
Reposted by David Klemperer
a society losing the plot in real time
February 10, 2026 at 9:11 PM
a society losing the plot in real time
Reposted by David Klemperer
A challenging - but very important - piece of research just published.
New economic analysis of Mayoral devolution’s early impacts on economic growth do not find Mayoral areas to be growing faster
AND it may be benefiting already-wealthy places not poorer ones, widening wealth gaps within places
New economic analysis of Mayoral devolution’s early impacts on economic growth do not find Mayoral areas to be growing faster
AND it may be benefiting already-wealthy places not poorer ones, widening wealth gaps within places
February 10, 2026 at 7:54 PM
A challenging - but very important - piece of research just published.
New economic analysis of Mayoral devolution’s early impacts on economic growth do not find Mayoral areas to be growing faster
AND it may be benefiting already-wealthy places not poorer ones, widening wealth gaps within places
New economic analysis of Mayoral devolution’s early impacts on economic growth do not find Mayoral areas to be growing faster
AND it may be benefiting already-wealthy places not poorer ones, widening wealth gaps within places
Reposted by David Klemperer
Plans to invade Greenland have just been cancelled after this
February 9, 2026 at 6:42 AM
Plans to invade Greenland have just been cancelled after this
Reposted by David Klemperer
Becca Rothfeld on the (non-)aesthetics of liberalism thepointmag.com/criticism/li...
Listless Liberalism | The Point Magazine
Where is liberalism’s “Fascinating Fascism”? Who is its Riefenstahl?
thepointmag.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Becca Rothfeld on the (non-)aesthetics of liberalism thepointmag.com/criticism/li...
Reposted by David Klemperer
Turns out The Times gave an interview promoting the content of a far-right neo-Nazi
www.channel4.com/news/unmaske...
www.channel4.com/news/unmaske...
February 10, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Turns out The Times gave an interview promoting the content of a far-right neo-Nazi
www.channel4.com/news/unmaske...
www.channel4.com/news/unmaske...
Reposted by David Klemperer
Indeed. A party invite for public officials, to be held in Mayfair no less, by a company that has recently been awarded a £240m public contract.
The competition would be livid - had there been any.
The competition would be livid - had there been any.
Not a good look as the govt resets itself. Palantir hosts party for MOD and others to celebrate its new defence contract promoted by Mandelson’s PR company. www.thetimes.com/article/2ecb...
https://thetimes.com/article/2ecb6a…
February 10, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Indeed. A party invite for public officials, to be held in Mayfair no less, by a company that has recently been awarded a £240m public contract.
The competition would be livid - had there been any.
The competition would be livid - had there been any.
It would be a crime, a disgrace, and a mistake for the government to fail to support the World Service
“I urge the government to back the World Service, to act decisively and confidently about what we can achieve in this space, and to act soon”
- Tim Davie, BBC Director-General.
A dire warning about the World Service running out of money in just 7 weeks time.
- Tim Davie, BBC Director-General.
A dire warning about the World Service running out of money in just 7 weeks time.
BBC World Service faces funding cliff edge in seven weeks, says Tim Davie
As trust in Russia and China’s state broadcasters grows, director general warns of the dangers of cutting back the service
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:38 PM
It would be a crime, a disgrace, and a mistake for the government to fail to support the World Service
Reposted by David Klemperer
Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes
Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes
UK projects will allow local areas to control and profit from renewable power generation, says energy secretary
The UK government is pledging to spend up to £1bn on community-owned green energy schemes in an effort to combat growing scepticism and resistance to renewables and grid upgrade projects.
Ed Miliband, the UK energy secretary, said the new funding was intended to help democratise the energy system, increase the wealth and financial independence of local communities, and potentially cut some local energy bills. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Miliband pledges up to £1bn for community green energy schemes
Reposted by David Klemperer
Times (and apparently Cabinet Ministers) apparently confusing Labour Party rules with U.K. constitution
Labour Party rules set out what happens if LEADER of party is ‘permanently unavailable’. But they dont match up the principles, precedents and expectations about what happens fo replace a PM. 1/
Labour Party rules set out what happens if LEADER of party is ‘permanently unavailable’. But they dont match up the principles, precedents and expectations about what happens fo replace a PM. 1/
February 10, 2026 at 6:33 AM
Times (and apparently Cabinet Ministers) apparently confusing Labour Party rules with U.K. constitution
Labour Party rules set out what happens if LEADER of party is ‘permanently unavailable’. But they dont match up the principles, precedents and expectations about what happens fo replace a PM. 1/
Labour Party rules set out what happens if LEADER of party is ‘permanently unavailable’. But they dont match up the principles, precedents and expectations about what happens fo replace a PM. 1/
Reposted by David Klemperer
If the US did what the French are doing right now, the effects on Twitter and Facebook would be enormous.
February 9, 2026 at 9:39 PM
If the US did what the French are doing right now, the effects on Twitter and Facebook would be enormous.
Reposted by David Klemperer
“Beyond the misogyny and moral squalor, the files also provide a portrait of how power works to sustain itself.“ My @theobserveruk.bsky.social column: observer.co.uk/news/columni...
The Epstein files reveal more than depravity, they unmask...
Peter Mandelson was part of a cabal that prized wealth and influence. For some, sex was the added bonus
observer.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM
“Beyond the misogyny and moral squalor, the files also provide a portrait of how power works to sustain itself.“ My @theobserveruk.bsky.social column: observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Reposted by David Klemperer
Sending a WhatsApp to Peter Mandelson illustrating that I should be Prime Minister but making sure I’m shaking my head as I do so people know I’m disapproving
February 9, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Sending a WhatsApp to Peter Mandelson illustrating that I should be Prime Minister but making sure I’m shaking my head as I do so people know I’m disapproving
Great piece on the challenges faced by social democrats in confronting the far-right
February 9, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Great piece on the challenges faced by social democrats in confronting the far-right
Reposted by David Klemperer
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202... how spot on was this analysis by @dmk1793.bsky.social from almost 3 years ago
Is Keir Starmer the British François Hollande?
Boring, safe, centrist – and probably doomed.
www.newstatesman.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:20 PM
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202... how spot on was this analysis by @dmk1793.bsky.social from almost 3 years ago
Reposted by David Klemperer
I have today been informed that, despite personal assurances to the contrary, the Green party have once again used my image and misrepresented my words on a second leaflet circulated in Gorton and Denton ahead of the by-election. I have now lodged an official complaint with the returning officer.
February 9, 2026 at 11:25 AM
I have today been informed that, despite personal assurances to the contrary, the Green party have once again used my image and misrepresented my words on a second leaflet circulated in Gorton and Denton ahead of the by-election. I have now lodged an official complaint with the returning officer.