THERE are few more influential writers on history today from a Marxist perspective than Professor John Foster. He has made a major contribution to Marxist historiography and political economy for over 50 years.

Foster has carried forward the work of Britain’s politically engaged Marxist historians, who were writing from the 1930s onwards. Like them, his work is written with a practical purpose, both at home and internationally — whether in the form of accessible historical studies or pamphlets engaging with the issues of today for the labour and progressive movements.

His recent work on Scotland’s economy and promoting progressive federalism is testament to this.