The special theme of this issue of Soundings one-dimensional politics: the contributors argue that political life today is more often focused on managing appearances than on engaging with reality; and at the same time it can sometimes seem thatthe only recognised public values are those of realism and efficiency (for which read markets). Our political culture is gradually cutting itself off from the richness which springs from a healthy and diverse social and cultural engagement with people from all sections of society. Thus there arises a sense of ersatz politics, of politics without depth, of glittering surfaces, shows and words, none of which are attached to anything beyond, beneath or behind them. As well as the themed section, special feature articles include: Laura Dubinsky on trade unions and first generation immigrant workers in North America; David Renton on South Africa; Isaac D. Balbus on the need to mourn the 1960s; Mark hayes and Paul Aylward on Anti-Fascism Action; and Ann Briggs on special needs and racism; plus poems, reviews, songs and stories.