Books and Ideas

A People’s History of Democracy: An Interview With Astra Taylor

A People’s History of Democracy: An Interview With Astra Taylor A People’s History of Democracy: An Interview With Astra Taylor

Her new film attempts to answer a vexing question:What Is Democracy?

Jan 28, 2019 / Q&A / Leah Rosenzweig

Sociologist Erik Olin Wright

Erik Olin Wright Inspired the Left to Embrace Real Utopianism Erik Olin Wright Inspired the Left to Embrace Real Utopianism

The brilliant scholar taught radicals to think big about solutions—such as universal basic income.

Jan 24, 2019 / John Nichols

US Capitol vs Statue of Liberty hugging an immigrant

An Offer From the Oval Office to Open the Federal Government An Offer From the Oval Office to Open the Federal Government

The government opens, concluding this brawl. The fate of the Dreamers is tied to The Wall. This offer by Trump is that he would arrange What simply amounts to a hostage exchange.

Jan 24, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Where Does Truth Fit into Democracy?

Where Does Truth Fit into Democracy? Where Does Truth Fit into Democracy?

In modern democracies, who gets to determine what counts as truth—an elite of experts or the people as a whole?

Jan 24, 2019 / Books & the Arts / David A. Bell

The Worlds of Anthony Powell

The Worlds of Anthony Powell The Worlds of Anthony Powell

Dance to the Music of Time succeeds because it escapes its origins and captures an era marked by uncertainty and wonder.

Jan 24, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Christopher de Bellaigue

Man Reads in DC Metro

Fiction Can Help Us Deal With Trump’s Chaos Fiction Can Help Us Deal With Trump’s Chaos

Making sense of the presidency, one novel at a time.

Jan 24, 2019 / Column / Laila Lalami

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

The Trump Ride Never Ends The Trump Ride Never Ends

Six new entries into the Political Gallery of Horror.

Jan 22, 2019 / Tom Tomorrow

Tom Tomorrow cartoon

Life in the Stupidverse: Government Shutdown Edition Life in the Stupidverse: Government Shutdown Edition

Folks, you can’t have Big Government if there is no government at all.

Jan 15, 2019 / Tom Tomorrow

US Mexico Border

The Militarization of the Southern Border Is a Long-Standing American Tradition The Militarization of the Southern Border Is a Long-Standing American Tradition

Trump’s wall is just the latest incarnation of an old fixation.

Jan 14, 2019 / Greg Grandin

Trump speaks in Pennsylvania

A Presidential Negotiating Stance A Presidential Negotiating Stance

If he can’t get the wherewithal To build at once his precious wall— A wall that’s thick, a wall that’s tall, The strongest, toughest wall of all— Then to the floor he’ll surely fa…

Jan 10, 2019 / Column / Calvin Trillin

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