The theme of this year's volume, Why Not Capitalism, is taken from the title Ralph Miliband originally had intended for his last book, reflecting his concern that the centrality of an anti-capitalist politics for the Left, of a political project fundamentally oriented to transcending the capitalist order, not be displaced. 'Why Not Capitalism' is intended to signal the importance, today more than ever, that the Left develop its capacities to understand and explain the dynamics, contradictions and depredations of contemporary capitalism in its many manifestations around the globe; while, at the same time, undertaking searching reexaminations of the Left's own histories and current practices to the end of reawakening socialist commitment, vision and potential. In this way we may yet be able to challenge the appalling capitalist 'new times' we live in.