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Crisis is the word that keeps coming back to haunt us. Whether it’s the crisis of democracy, the crisis of liberalism, or the overarching notion of a time of crisis, we seem perpetually embroiled in a state of polycrisis.
The assassination attempt on Donald Trump has spotlighted a troubling paradox: why do liberal institutions and figures often defend fascist politicians, even when these politicians espouse values antithetical to liberalism? This article delves into the inherent contradictions within liberalism that lead it to shield authoritarian figures like Trump, arguing that these actions reveal a deeper alignment with capitalist interests and a fear of revolutionary change.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the weaknesses of global health systems under capitalism, showing how profit-driven intensive farming and environmental degradation heighten the risk of future pandemics, such as the persistent threat of H5N1 avian flu.
Marine Le Pen’s rise in French politics, often attributed to immigration and crime, is more accurately understood as a reaction to the economic exploitation and inequality perpetuated by the capitalist system.
As Farage’s Reform Party gains traction, the rise of right-wing populism across Europe signals a looming threat to UK stability and democracy.
Sidney Lumet’s “The Hill” (1965) is a harrowing exploration of the human cost of military service and colonialism, set against the harsh realities of a British military prison during World War II.
In this review of Annie Jacobsen’s book “Nuclear War: A Scenario,” I reflect on the ever-present threat of nuclear war, drawing from my personal childhood experiences, the sobering realities of the Cold War era, and the chilling minute-by-minute account presented in Jacobsen’s work.
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the most compelling and insightful reads of the year. In this roundup, I recommend five books spanning climate disaster, digital privacy, the Trump era’s threat to democracy, Marxist theory, and life under Israeli occupation, describing how each illuminates the complex issues defining this moment.
In a world reminiscent of Kafka’s nightmares, the arrest of a French publishing executive has cast a long, ominous shadow over the fragile nature of free expression. Ernest, the foreign rights manager for Éditions la Fabrique, found himself entangled in the suffocating coils of the state’s overreach as he was arrested. This ensnarement occurred at the behest of the French government, employing British anti-terror legislation as their instrument of control.
Exploring the enduring relevance of class in modern society, this post delves into the works of Didier Eribon, Édouard Louis, and Richard Sennett to shed light on the complexities of class-based inequalities and the importance of confronting them.