Columns / What If

The United States was disbanded? Could a break-up proffer the end of the empire? Conrad Landin weighs up the arguments.

Cannabis legalization was actually just? Amy Hall explores whether those most harmed by prohibition could benefit from legalization.

We banned billionaires? Kathryn Zacharek muses on a world without the super-rich.

..we had a right to public transport? Pipe dream or tested model for a better world? Conrad Landin jumps on the bandwagon.

We answered isis with restorative justice? Matt Broomfield spells out some better ways of dealing with captive extremists.

We were not socialized to be monogamous? Bethany Rielly asks us to end our judgements over multiple partners.

The west stopped exporting second-hand clothing? Alice McCool imagines a world where countries are not left wearing the West’s cast-offs.

Children led the fight for their rights? It’s time adults stopped trying to mould kids into obedient neoliberal subjects, argues Matt Broomfield.

Social media were not for profit? Nick Dowson imagines a different world of online communities that puts our needs first.

We decolonized mental health services? Husna Ara rethinks our collective response to distress.

Electricity were a right not a commodity? Breaking away from an energy system in which we are only consumers can help tackle the cost of living and climate crises. Nick Dowson sketches out an alternative.

We liberated sex education? Husna Ara plots the path to shame-free learning.

There was a World Tax Organization? Alex Cobham envisions a global body to clamp down on tax dodging.

We said ‘no’ to concrete? The world is turning grey as more and more concrete is poured. Vanessa Baird posits an alternative.

We took degrowth seriously? Ditching planet-popping expansion for justice is a vision worth getting behind, says Dinyar Godrej.

We took money out of politics? Frank Fornby shares his vision for better representation.

Urban public transport was free for all? Conrad Landin investigates.

Armed forces were abolished? Symon Hill plots a path to peace

What if food was guaranteed? Hazel Healy sketches out a world with nutritious diets for all people.

What if we all got paid the same? Vanessa Baird on a simple but bold measure to reverse roaring income inequality.