Sam Ashman teaches International Development at the University of East London. Her research interests lie primarily in political economy and the political economy of development.

Paul Blackledge teaches politics at Leeds Metropolitan University. He is the author of Reflections on the Marxist Theory of History (Manchester University Press, 2006), and Perry Anderson, Marxism and the New Left (Merlin, 2004). He also co-edited Alasdair MacIntyre's Engagement with Marxism: Essays and Articles 1953-1974 (Brill, 2007), and Historical Materialism and Social Evolution (Palgrave, 2002). Alongside his editing work for Historical Materialism he is a member of the editorial board of International Socialism.

Sebastian Budgen lives in Paris and is working on a book on contemporary France entitled Land of the Unexpected.

Liam Campling is studying for a PhD in Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London). His current research is focused on global commodity chain analysis with an empirical focus on industrial tuna fisheries and capitalist development. He has published articles in Development Policy Review, Journal of Agrarian Change and Sustainable Development and edited a special issue of Historical Materialism on ‘Marxism and African Realities’.

Alejandro Colás teaches at the School of Politics and Sociology, Birkbeck College, University of London where he directs the MSc/MRes degree International Security and Global Governance (http://www.bbk.ac.uk/polsoc/courses/msc_mres/ISGG.php). He is author of International Civil Society: Social Movements in World Politics (Polity Press, 2002) and co-editor with Richard Saull of The War on Terrorism and the American 'Empire' after the Cold War (Routledge, 2006). His book on Empire for the Polity Press 'Key Concept' series is due out in December 2006.
Personal website: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/polsoc/staff/alex_colas.php
Email: a.colas@bbk.ac.uk