Long read: the merit trap
New Internationalist co-founder Peter Adamson dives into the perils of basing ‘fairness’ on meritocracy.
Taking on the torch-bearers of patriarchy
A growing number of women are going against the stream in India, writes Nilanjana Bhowmick.
Reparations – an idea whose time has come?
Does a racially just future need to include reparations for transatlantic slavery or is that a distraction from achieving equality for future generations? KA Dilday and Kehinde Andrews disagree on…
The personality crisis
As growth-driven consumer culture spurs on planetary destruction, why don’t we spring into action? Psychologist John F Schumaker situates a frightening erosion of human personality at the heart of the problem.
Embedding the economy – with care
Richard Swift examines the deep roots of the market economy’s failures. Time for a radical rethink.
What we cannot avoid
Jeremy Seabrook on the virulent nostalgias which obscure an essential conflict – how to reconcile the needs of the planet with the necessities of economics?
Finntopia
Danny Dorling and Annika Koljonen explain how Finland has come to be so equal, peaceful and happy – and sketch out the lessons we might learn from its example.
Japan’s firewall against populism
Despite populism being rife everywhere else, Japan has refused to succumb. Are there lessons to be learned? asks Tina Burrett.
ECRF: Fighting for life and freedom in Egypt
Alessio Perrone meets the activists fighting to shine light on human rights abuses during Egypt’s dark days.
Greenwashing big hydropower
Despite being linked to several disasters, the Asian Development Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to large hydro developments. Rishika Pardikar speaks to people holding it to account.
How Barbados ditched the Queen
Amy Hall reports from Barbados on abolishing the British monarchy and the legacies of colonialism.
Mandela of the Middle East?
How did a once hardcore Marxist-Leninist and nationalist guerrilla leader come to develop a politics of participatory democracy, feminism and ecology? Vanessa Baird traces Abdullah Öcalan’s journey.
Did Brazil’s evangelicals put Jair Bolsonaro into office?
Bolsonaro, whose middle name is ‘Messiah’, was the perfect bait for Christians, says Pamela Machado.
Agony Uncle: Will I traumatize my child by taking them to a migrant detention protest?
A reader asks New Internationalist's very own Agony Uncle about whether or not to take their young son to a protest outside an immigration detention centre.
The radical book review
Jo Lateu and Peter Whittaker weigh up the latest releases in radical publishing.
Beyond punishment
Amy Hall explores the movement calling time on prisons and the police while offering an alternative vision of the future.
Business interests have hijacked the UN food summit
Small farmers, social movements and human rights are being elbowed out, says Kirtana Chandrasekaran.
A new era under Lula?
From an increase in religious freedom to protection of the Amazon, there are high hopes for Brazil’s returning president. Raphael Tsavkko Garcia speaks to activists about their dreams for the future.
Will the UK listen to the UN’s damning indictment of austerity?
Steve Topple fears not. After all, we’ve been here before...
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