Hilary Mantell: Springtime for Robespierre

First posted August 29, 2013 Robespierre  Edited by Colin Haydon and William DoyleReviewed by Hilary Mantell In the two years following the taking of the Bastille, he pursued an impeccably liberal and far-sighted agenda. He spoke for manhood suffrage and against a property qualification for voters; against slavery; in support of civil rights for Jews; against capital punishment; and… Read More Hilary Mantell: Springtime for Robespierre

Corporate Business and the Financing of Political Parties

Corporate business financing of politics in India goes back decades. The court ruling on the electoral bonds scheme is not going to end this business-politics nexus. We can only hope that the nexus can be nudged in the direction of greater transparency so that voters can make more informed choices. JAGDEEP S. CHHOKARThe recent judgement of the… Read More Corporate Business and the Financing of Political Parties

There’s one thing standing in the way of a ceasefire: Netanyahu’s refusal to compromise

Simon Tisdall The latest twists and turns in negotiations to end the war in Gaza appear labyrinthine and confusing. But it’s really not that complicated. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, must compromise on the outstanding details of the proposed ceasefire deal and Hamas’s weekend counter-offer – and immediately halt Israel’s criminal bombing of Gaza and reckless military incursions… Read More There’s one thing standing in the way of a ceasefire: Netanyahu’s refusal to compromise

Israel is banning Al Jazeera, America is banning TikTok. We know why

What the two laws have in common is desire to silence Israel-Gaza war critics Seth Stern The White House rightly said it was “concerning” when Israel’s parliament laid the groundwork to shut down Al Jazeera within its borders in April. On Sunday, Israel made its move. The Foreign Press Association called it a “dark day for democracy”. If the… Read More Israel is banning Al Jazeera, America is banning TikTok. We know why

Hunt for grand victories and impact on democratic culture

Bharat Bhushan The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)‘s preoccupation with grander victories in every election seems to be feeding the worst standards of democratic conduct. Does pressure on Opposition candidates to stand down suggest narcissism, or does it reflect an element of nervousness? Take the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat. It has been a pocket borough… Read More Hunt for grand victories and impact on democratic culture

How Israel Violates International Law in Gaza: Expert Report

An independent expert report lays out how Israel systematically violated U.S. and International Law in Gaza, concluding that Israel launched indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilian areas due to “extremely relaxed rules of engagement.” By Steve France / Mondoweiss ust days after the Biden administration showered the Israeli military with billions of dollars more in lethal… Read More How Israel Violates International Law in Gaza: Expert Report