Welcome

I am a writer, scholar and political commentator interested in social justice and political judgment, the rise of new ideologies, and democracy's troubles with capitalism. I draw on history, philosophy, and sociology as I seek to produce politically salient and critical analyses of modern societies.

Capitalism is not on its deathbed, utopia is not in our future, and revolution is not in the cards. And yet, the time is ripe for radical progressive change.

My latest book

My latest book

"This is the big-think book of our time", James Galbraith, interview. Read his review "The Pandemic and Capitalism".

Read more Awards
Albena

Latest

Regaining our Futures: How to Build Democracies with Foresight

Regaining our Futures: How to Build Democracies with Foresight Event

Public Lecture at LSE European Institute

Organized by European Institute, LSE

European democracies now suffer from both tunnel vision and miopia. How can we make them look beyond the here and now?

With Kalypso Nicolaïdis and Abby Innes
Tue 25 Mar, 2025
London, UK

European Civil Society Week - Strenghtening Cohesion and Participation in Polarized Societies Event

Keynote Address "From Polarization to Collaboration: Can Democracies Dream Big Again"

Organized by European Economic and Social Committee

A future of peace, prosperity, justice and a thriving environment is within reach not only for Europe, but also for the world. However, our leaders refuse to take us there. In such a case, civil society will have to lead the leaders.

With Shada Islam and Oliver Röpke
Mon 17 Mar, 2025
-
Thu 20 Mar, 2025
Brussels, Belgium

Vienna Humanities Festival Event

Between Autonomy and Precarity - Capitalism on Edge

Organized by IWM

In conversation with Dessy Gavrilova about the current historical juncture, insights from past struggles and a possible new progressive political agenda.

With Dessy Gavrilova
Sun 29 Sep, 2024
Vienna, Austria
Emancipation without Utopia?

Emancipation without Utopia? (lectio magistralis) Public Lecture

How to be radical in the 21st century

Organized by IPER - Festival delle periferie

The landscape of our political imagination is void of a grand utopia able to energise the discontent and the hopes of the multitude. Why is this the case? And what ways are still available to us for radical transformation without the help of Utopia?
Event Poster

Sun 16 Jun, 2024
Rome, Italy
2nd Leuven Critical Emancipations Conference: The Production of Difference

2nd Leuven Critical Emancipations Conference: The Production of Difference Public Lecture

Keynote Address 'The Emancipation Paradox and the Production of Indifference'

Organized by KU Leuven, Institute of Philosophy

One of the paradoxes of our time is that advances in progressive politics aiming at fostering inclusive difference are paralleled by increased competition for victimhood among various protected minorities -- a dynamic that replaces solidarities with indifference. The keynote will address this paradox.

With Nick Nesbitt and Daniel Loick
Thu 23 May, 2024
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Sat 25 May, 2024
KU Leuven
Leuven, Belgium
Home-Grown Autocracy

Home-Grown Autocracy Public Lecture

Why Are Democrats Turning Against Democracy?

Organized by European Common Space for Alternatives (ECSA)

Keynote address to the European Common Space for Alternatives (ECSA) symposium, Marseille, 26-28 April
Plenary "Power to the People": The perspective of a real democracy is not only a historical, social and political exigence but also a necessary condition to defeat authoritarianism and the Far - right forces that are rising across Europe and the Globe."

Sat 27 Apr, 2024
Marseille, France