ABOUT SANE
The collective, Solidarity Against Neoliberal Extremism (SANE), was formed in 2016 by a group of individuals in Glasgow who had become more and more concerned about the way that neoliberal thinking was affecting Glasgow. Our aim was to facilitate a shared understanding across activist groups and the wider population about the common cause of the difficulties that they were facing. Much of our thinking is based on the concept of radical municipalism, which supports public ownership of vital services and tries to deepen understanding and practice of democracy.
Since then the Collective has been stimulating debate about how alternative policies and practices can be stimulated at a city level, and reflecting on what steps are necessary to begin a transformation in Glasgow, so that the emphasis is no longer placed on encouraging big business, banks, shops and tourism as the main ways of shaping the city.
RESEARCH AND REPORTS
In 2021-22, the SANE Collective commissioned four new reports, investigating various aspects of the city’s finances, policies and strategies in the face of the pandemic and climate crisis.
Glasgow’s Alchemy examines a way of thinking that prizes the role of the private sector in what appear to be public assets – stand anywhere with a view in Glasgow and you will see an edifice which has been financed, either wholly or partly, by the public purse. Despite this, it’s more than likely that the school, hospital, care home, house, office block or bridge that you see is either owned privately, or the private sector has made a substantial profit in its construction. Those who benefit are not local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs): the big profits go to big business.
Glasgow’s Money explains how, and why, there are too few financial resources available for adequate services, and examines the Council’s spending priorities during the period of austerity. It also highlights Glasgow City Council’s sizable debt portfolio, its impact on the Council’s finances currently and the impact it is likely to have in the future. Importantly, this report provides a critical assessment of the Council’s neoliberal strategy for managing its assets and investing in new infrastructure. It concludes with a series of recommendations for far reaching reform.
Many of Glasgow’s community facilities still remain closed, even though Covid 19 restrictions have been eased. Many more would have remained shut if it hadn’t been for a fightback by Glasgow residents. Glasgow Strife does a deep dive into what was really happening with the decisions made by Glasgow Life, and how the pandemic became an opportunity to set in motion policy decisions that, in reality, had been made long before.
As the climate crisis worsens, moving towards zero carbon is essential. Glasgow has made a commitment to net zero but Glasgow’s Greenwash considers whether this approach is adequate, examines the targets that have been set and shows how the Council’s climate emergency implementation plan is merely full of reviews, feasibility studies and pilots, or proposals to “encourage”, “enable” or “lead by example” rather than meaningful action.
As other research and analysis is undertaken, it too will be added to this website.
PEOPLE’S PLAN
“If the People’s Plan aims to explore how another Glasgow is possible, then the SANE Collective has surely served to show why another Glasgow is necessary, and why an anti-neoliberal critique must be a key part of any new plan being devised for the city.”
GET INVOLVED
To find out more about SANE, find us on one of the links below!
EMAIL: sanecollectiveglasgow@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.sanecollectiveglasgow.org
FACEBOOK: @SANECollectiveGlasgow
INSTAGRAM: @SANECollective
TWITTER: @SANEGlasgow