Carl Collins
Latest articles by Carl Collins
Most profitable yet
Crass commercialisation, a source of huge FIFA revenues, crude political interference by Donald Trump, but also moments of pure football joy. Carl Collins weighs up the pros and cons
Anyone but England?
Despite going down to Argentina, there is still England vs France. Should we apply Lenin’s revolutionary defeatism to this and other matches? Can such an approach win the masses to revolution, or does it leave revolutionaries isolated from the masses? Carl Collins looks at football culture
Labour’s toxic arms race
British imperialism is weak economically and yet feels obliged to commit to bigger and bigger arms budgets. However, we need to do more than oppose increases in so-called defence spending, argues Carl Collins
Beautiful game, ugly bans
It is clear that America is in charge. Fans and officials from more than a quarter of the countries participating in the World Cup face ticket cancellations, visa rejections and debilitating restrictions. So much for the internationalism of FIFA and the sporting spirit, writes Carl Collins
Not only a field of play
With the Mexico versus South Africa opening match of the 2026 World Cup just days away, Carl Collins examines the background and inherent contradictions of the beautiful game. It is not just about money, money, money
Sloganeering on autopilot
Marxism demands concrete analysis: it embraces complexity, it rejects trite formulations. With that in mind, Carl Collins takes issue with those who use the slogan, ‘No war but the class war’, to negate political struggle
Combat the far right online
Social media and encrypted messaging are being used by the far right to shape politics. How should the left respond? Carl Collins thinks we should consider throwing away our leaflets and take to our keyboards
From kick-off to finish
Carl Collins examines the current state of the beautiful game that is now worth billions, its origins in violent country ways and the influence of the far right
Another sect is rebranded
Carl Collins looks at the factors behind the shift from clause four Fabianism to the Madison Avenue ‘communist turn’
Sir Keir flies the flag
Labour told candidates to mark St George’s Day ‘with enthusiasm’. Then there was the England jersey furore. Carl Collins examines the role of hegemony in today’s culture wars