Books and Ideas

Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis

The Zombie Populism of Today’s GOP The Zombie Populism of Today’s GOP

The right’s crass appropriation of anti-elitist rhetoric makes less sense than ever. That doesn’t mean it’s going away.

Apr 24, 2023 / Chris Lehmann

An Arkansas girl in migrant camp near Greenfield, Salinas Valley, Calif., 1939

How Reading “The Economist” Helped Me to Stop Worrying About White Supremacy How Reading “The Economist” Helped Me to Stop Worrying About White Supremacy

A recent viral sensation identifies the migration of poor whites as the cause of the problem—letting the rest of us off the hook!

Apr 21, 2023 / Sarah Taber

Signage for Hachette Book Group

When You Buy a Book, You Can Loan It to Anyone. This Judge Says Libraries Can’t. Why Not? When You Buy a Book, You Can Loan It to Anyone. This Judge Says Libraries Can’t. Why Not?

The lawsuit against Controlled Digital Lending is about giving corporations—rather than readers, buyers, borrowers, or authors—control over content.

Apr 20, 2023 / Michelle M. Wu

Jerry Mander, author of Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television, at his typewriter.

Jerry Mander Was the Groundbreaking Activism-Adman Jerry Mander Was the Groundbreaking Activism-Adman

He was a key figure in the anti-globalization movement—RIP.

Apr 19, 2023 / The Editors

Then-Prince Charles in India, 1980.

The Ghosts of the British Empire The Ghosts of the British Empire

In his new book Empireland, Sathnam Sanghera examines how the British Empire's pieties and fictions persist to this day.

Apr 18, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Priya Satia

How Fran Drescher Went From TV Nanny to Union Boss

How Fran Drescher Went From TV Nanny to Union Boss How Fran Drescher Went From TV Nanny to Union Boss

Drescher was once network TV’s working-class darling—now, as head of SAG-AFTRA, does she have what it takes to marshal the collective power of a deeply divided union?

Apr 18, 2023 / Feature / Piper French

The Tennessee Supreme Court Building in Nashville.

Democracy in Tennessee Democracy in Tennessee

Apr 18, 2023 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Jenny Odell’s Search for a New Kind of Time

Jenny Odell’s Search for a New Kind of Time Jenny Odell’s Search for a New Kind of Time

Can we escape capitalism's persistent and relentless demand that we turning our waking hours into products and profits?

Apr 18, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Sarah Jaffe

C.L.R. James, Man of Paradox

C.L.R. James, Man of Paradox C.L.R. James, Man of Paradox

A new biography examines the revolutionary possibilities and radical contradictions at the heart of James's life and ideas.

Apr 18, 2023 / Books & the Arts / Gerald Horne

Former President Donald Trump waves from the steps of Air Force One

The Surprisingly Durable Myth of Donald Trump, Anti-Imperialist The Surprisingly Durable Myth of Donald Trump, Anti-Imperialist

The Establishment focus on personal scandals helps cover up the former president’s reckless belligerence.

Apr 17, 2023 / Jeet Heer

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