Yusuf
@yusufimaadkhan.com
political philosophy, social epistemology, anarchy, sometimes charts 📈 | PhDing @LSEGovernment | he/him
yusufimaadkhan.com/watermelon
yusufimaadkhan.com/watermelon
Pinned
every time i repost something, that is 1 social epistemology
January 12, 2026 at 9:44 PM
every time i repost something, that is 1 social epistemology
Reposted by Yusuf
save me fred block fred block save me
The Ruling Class Does Not Rule
In a capitalist society, state managers rely on business confidence to generate the economic growth on which they depend, so capitalists don’t have to mobilize politically to block radical reform. It ...
jacobin.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM
save me fred block fred block save me
Reposted by Yusuf
I would love to see a bunch of essays that take Block's essay as a starting point and see how it holds up. Given the direct integration of billionaires and corporate actors into federal government grift, in some sense the theory looks too cute to explain reality. But I could be convinced otherwise
Which means there are only two interpretations:
1) Block’s theory that the ruling class does not rule because they don’t know how is being confirmed in the most spectacular manner.
2) Trump 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 represented oligarchic interests and we are in a madman dictatorship paradigm.
I’m leaning 2).
1) Block’s theory that the ruling class does not rule because they don’t know how is being confirmed in the most spectacular manner.
2) Trump 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 represented oligarchic interests and we are in a madman dictatorship paradigm.
I’m leaning 2).
January 12, 2026 at 6:11 PM
I would love to see a bunch of essays that take Block's essay as a starting point and see how it holds up. Given the direct integration of billionaires and corporate actors into federal government grift, in some sense the theory looks too cute to explain reality. But I could be convinced otherwise
Reposted by Yusuf
Across the country, Iranians are protesting real economic hardship, much of it deepened by US sanctions.
In the UK, solidarity means opposing those sanctions & the imperial strategies behind them.
Only the Iranian people have the right to decide their own future. No outside power should interfere.
In the UK, solidarity means opposing those sanctions & the imperial strategies behind them.
Only the Iranian people have the right to decide their own future. No outside power should interfere.
January 12, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Across the country, Iranians are protesting real economic hardship, much of it deepened by US sanctions.
In the UK, solidarity means opposing those sanctions & the imperial strategies behind them.
Only the Iranian people have the right to decide their own future. No outside power should interfere.
In the UK, solidarity means opposing those sanctions & the imperial strategies behind them.
Only the Iranian people have the right to decide their own future. No outside power should interfere.
Reposted by Yusuf
Turns out there's a lot of daylight between "oligarchic interests have aligned with Trump" and "Trump represents oligarchic interests." Trump represents Trump, tout court.
January 12, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Turns out there's a lot of daylight between "oligarchic interests have aligned with Trump" and "Trump represents oligarchic interests." Trump represents Trump, tout court.
Reposted by Yusuf
On the other hand, they want to maximize the degree of authority they have as owners- to ensure that production and social life continue to be organized around property rights. Other forms of authority and coordination are threatening to them even when they are valuable for maintaining social order.
January 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
On the other hand, they want to maximize the degree of authority they have as owners- to ensure that production and social life continue to be organized around property rights. Other forms of authority and coordination are threatening to them even when they are valuable for maintaining social order.
Reposted by Yusuf
Also worth noting that capital owners as a class have two sets of political interests that often pull in opposite directions. On the one hand, they need to maintain the stability of the social system within which capital is embedded.
January 12, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Also worth noting that capital owners as a class have two sets of political interests that often pull in opposite directions. On the one hand, they need to maintain the stability of the social system within which capital is embedded.
Reposted by Yusuf
@benbraun.bsky.social and @cedricdurand.bsky.social answer the call by mapping the fractious MAGA base amidst hegemonic decline.
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
June 4, 2025 at 1:58 PM
@benbraun.bsky.social and @cedricdurand.bsky.social answer the call by mapping the fractious MAGA base amidst hegemonic decline.
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ame...
Reposted by Yusuf
How long is autumn? And does autumn actually matter?
Asking for a friend who is concerned about the health of a certain empire…
lareviewofbooks.org/article/autu...
policytensor.substack.com/p/the-longue...
on-air.caricomassimo.org/media/pages/...
Asking for a friend who is concerned about the health of a certain empire…
lareviewofbooks.org/article/autu...
policytensor.substack.com/p/the-longue...
on-air.caricomassimo.org/media/pages/...
March 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
How long is autumn? And does autumn actually matter?
Asking for a friend who is concerned about the health of a certain empire…
lareviewofbooks.org/article/autu...
policytensor.substack.com/p/the-longue...
on-air.caricomassimo.org/media/pages/...
Asking for a friend who is concerned about the health of a certain empire…
lareviewofbooks.org/article/autu...
policytensor.substack.com/p/the-longue...
on-air.caricomassimo.org/media/pages/...
Reposted by Yusuf
One natural hypothesis is that the rise of a new politically dominant fraction of capital (both in terms of wealth but also cohesiveness) in the form of tech, has undermined the position of the private branch of government of the previous dominant fraction, finance.
January 12, 2026 at 6:22 PM
One natural hypothesis is that the rise of a new politically dominant fraction of capital (both in terms of wealth but also cohesiveness) in the form of tech, has undermined the position of the private branch of government of the previous dominant fraction, finance.
Reposted by Yusuf
The independent central bank is a historical and fairly recent development. If we see it under attack today, I think we should consider the possibility that the it no longer serves the political interests it once did (or that those interests are no longer as dominant.)
January 12, 2026 at 6:21 PM
The independent central bank is a historical and fairly recent development. If we see it under attack today, I think we should consider the possibility that the it no longer serves the political interests it once did (or that those interests are no longer as dominant.)
Reposted by Yusuf
I personally think 2 is the wrong answer. But this is certainly the right question to be asking.
Which means there are only two interpretations:
1) Block’s theory that the ruling class does not rule because they don’t know how is being confirmed in the most spectacular manner.
2) Trump 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 represented oligarchic interests and we are in a madman dictatorship paradigm.
I’m leaning 2).
1) Block’s theory that the ruling class does not rule because they don’t know how is being confirmed in the most spectacular manner.
2) Trump 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 represented oligarchic interests and we are in a madman dictatorship paradigm.
I’m leaning 2).
January 12, 2026 at 6:09 PM
I personally think 2 is the wrong answer. But this is certainly the right question to be asking.
Reposted by Yusuf
DAWN OF FREEDOM (AUGUST 1947) - Faiz Ahmed Faiz
April 6, 2025 at 2:14 PM
DAWN OF FREEDOM (AUGUST 1947) - Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Reposted by Yusuf
this nehru quote goes hard
February 17, 2025 at 6:03 PM
this nehru quote goes hard
Reposted by Yusuf
I wrote for @theguardian.com on the parallels between Iraq and Venezuela | www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
January 12, 2026 at 6:48 PM
I wrote for @theguardian.com on the parallels between Iraq and Venezuela | www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Yusuf
UK'S POLITICAL PRISONERS APPROACH SUDDEN DEATH
Prisoners for Palestine hunger striker at imminent risk of cardiac arrest and another reaches nearly 70 days without food as more than 50 MPs demand immediate government intervention
ecohustler.com/culture/uks-...
Prisoners for Palestine hunger striker at imminent risk of cardiac arrest and another reaches nearly 70 days without food as more than 50 MPs demand immediate government intervention
ecohustler.com/culture/uks-...
UK's political prisoners approach sudden death
Prisoners for Palestine hunger striker at imminent risk of cardiac arrest and another reaches nearly 70 days without food as more than 50 MPs demand immediate government intervention
ecohustler.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:57 PM
UK'S POLITICAL PRISONERS APPROACH SUDDEN DEATH
Prisoners for Palestine hunger striker at imminent risk of cardiac arrest and another reaches nearly 70 days without food as more than 50 MPs demand immediate government intervention
ecohustler.com/culture/uks-...
Prisoners for Palestine hunger striker at imminent risk of cardiac arrest and another reaches nearly 70 days without food as more than 50 MPs demand immediate government intervention
ecohustler.com/culture/uks-...
Reposted by Yusuf
🌈✨Do stuff. Withhold and promise. Join a union. Raise the costs for those in power today✨🌈
December 29, 2025 at 8:22 PM
🌈✨Do stuff. Withhold and promise. Join a union. Raise the costs for those in power today✨🌈
Reposted by Yusuf
I think the function of open letters isn’t just “if we make the case to the people in power, they will change their ways”.
Expresses you stand for something. Lowers first-mover costs. Works as a coordination device. Maintains a common ground of what is acceptable.
Gotta build on it though.
Expresses you stand for something. Lowers first-mover costs. Works as a coordination device. Maintains a common ground of what is acceptable.
Gotta build on it though.
This is a great letter to add to the many open academic letters ignored in the recent past
when labour started down this path, over 200 uk politics academics singed an open letter warning them it wouldn't work
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/starmer
December 29, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I think the function of open letters isn’t just “if we make the case to the people in power, they will change their ways”.
Expresses you stand for something. Lowers first-mover costs. Works as a coordination device. Maintains a common ground of what is acceptable.
Gotta build on it though.
Expresses you stand for something. Lowers first-mover costs. Works as a coordination device. Maintains a common ground of what is acceptable.
Gotta build on it though.
Reposted by Yusuf
Academics and intellectuals sign letter in support of Palestine Action prisoners
At least 50 scholars have so far put their names to the letter, which simply states their support for the direct action group's prisoners
www.middleeasteye.net/news/academi...
At least 50 scholars have so far put their names to the letter, which simply states their support for the direct action group's prisoners
www.middleeasteye.net/news/academi...
Academics and intellectuals sign letter in support of Palestine Action prisoners
At least 50 scholars have so far put their names to the letter, which simply states their support for the direct action group's prisoners
www.middleeasteye.net
January 12, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Academics and intellectuals sign letter in support of Palestine Action prisoners
At least 50 scholars have so far put their names to the letter, which simply states their support for the direct action group's prisoners
www.middleeasteye.net/news/academi...
At least 50 scholars have so far put their names to the letter, which simply states their support for the direct action group's prisoners
www.middleeasteye.net/news/academi...
Reposted by Yusuf
It's imperialism, stupid!
Natural resources are not the reason the US wants control over Greenland. I explain why in my new @theconversation.com article on Greenland's critical raw materials and fossil fuels in US expansionist ambition.
Read the article here:
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
Natural resources are not the reason the US wants control over Greenland. I explain why in my new @theconversation.com article on Greenland's critical raw materials and fossil fuels in US expansionist ambition.
Read the article here:
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
Why Greenland’s vast natural resources won’t necessarily translate into huge profits
Mining and fossil fuel extraction both demand infrastructure that Greenland doesn’t have.
theconversation.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:39 PM
It's imperialism, stupid!
Natural resources are not the reason the US wants control over Greenland. I explain why in my new @theconversation.com article on Greenland's critical raw materials and fossil fuels in US expansionist ambition.
Read the article here:
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
Natural resources are not the reason the US wants control over Greenland. I explain why in my new @theconversation.com article on Greenland's critical raw materials and fossil fuels in US expansionist ambition.
Read the article here:
theconversation.com/why-greenlan...
Reposted by Yusuf
Really fun to be a public feminist in an era when everyone on the left is convinced that gender is a superficial divide that’s only considered unjust by privileged and narcissistic white women, while meanwhile gender anxiety and grievance is used to dismantle American democracy and the world order.
January 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Really fun to be a public feminist in an era when everyone on the left is convinced that gender is a superficial divide that’s only considered unjust by privileged and narcissistic white women, while meanwhile gender anxiety and grievance is used to dismantle American democracy and the world order.
Reposted by Yusuf
“The Trump administration’s vice signals are not just cultural messages or aesthetic poses. They also come with a body count.”
@olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social’s latest column:
@olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social’s latest column:
Empire of Vice
In a perverse twist on virtue signaling, the Trump administration is training Americans in the politics of raw domination.
www.bostonreview.net
January 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
“The Trump administration’s vice signals are not just cultural messages or aesthetic poses. They also come with a body count.”
@olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social’s latest column:
@olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social’s latest column:
Reposted by Yusuf
At the very least, this column did remind me to go read:
- On the Role of the Individual in History (Plekhanov 1898)
www.marxists.org/archive/plek...
(Cheers to @xanlopez.xyz for the recommendation!)
And
- Invisible Elbow (Tilly 1996)
www.jstor.org/stable/684906
- On the Role of the Individual in History (Plekhanov 1898)
www.marxists.org/archive/plek...
(Cheers to @xanlopez.xyz for the recommendation!)
And
- Invisible Elbow (Tilly 1996)
www.jstor.org/stable/684906
No. No he does not and ironically, the whole point of the "Great Man Theory" (and it always was decidedly a great *man* theory, no matter how often you mention the one woman who is your political hero) is to support figures like him.
October 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
At the very least, this column did remind me to go read:
- On the Role of the Individual in History (Plekhanov 1898)
www.marxists.org/archive/plek...
(Cheers to @xanlopez.xyz for the recommendation!)
And
- Invisible Elbow (Tilly 1996)
www.jstor.org/stable/684906
- On the Role of the Individual in History (Plekhanov 1898)
www.marxists.org/archive/plek...
(Cheers to @xanlopez.xyz for the recommendation!)
And
- Invisible Elbow (Tilly 1996)
www.jstor.org/stable/684906
Reposted by Yusuf
“If China were run by someone other than Xi, would the general picture look very different? I suspect not. Xi did not capture the state. The party, or its interests, produced him.”
January 12, 2026 at 6:33 PM
“If China were run by someone other than Xi, would the general picture look very different? I suspect not. Xi did not capture the state. The party, or its interests, produced him.”
Reposted by Yusuf
“…the deadening sprawl of Xi Jinping Thought is something to behold…In fact, the Xi corpus represents only a superficial engagement with Marx and contains no serious political philosophy of any stripe…Xi cares not about political philosophy but about loyalty and party discipline.”
January 12, 2026 at 6:29 PM
“…the deadening sprawl of Xi Jinping Thought is something to behold…In fact, the Xi corpus represents only a superficial engagement with Marx and contains no serious political philosophy of any stripe…Xi cares not about political philosophy but about loyalty and party discipline.”