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THE FAULTLINES OF THE IMAGINATION

November 14, 2016 by Kenan Malik

‘I hope you’re surviving in these dark times. I don’t seem to understand the world any more. I don’t seem to understand its rationality. I feel all I can do is hunker down.’ So emailed a friend a few days ago. I can understand why she feels that way. After all, America now has as President-elect a truth-shredding, conspiracy-mongering authoritarian demagogue who has promised mass deportations, a wall to keep out Mexicans, a ban on all Muslim immigration, and a […]

Categories: International, Politics • Tags: barack obama, donald trump, elite, hillary clinton, immigration, left, liberalism, racism, us elections, usa, working class

HOW AMERICA GOT TRUMPED

November 10, 2016 by Kenan Malik

Even before Donald Trump’s extraordinary victory in the US Presidential election, two narratives had already been established about his political rise. His supporters saw it as an insurgent movement of the little people against the elite. Liberal opponents viewed it rather as the revolt of what Hilary Clinton infamously dubbed ‘the deplorables’: the rage of racists and bigots fuelled by hate. Neither narrative is true. But both possess a pinch of truth. The predominant view of the difference between Trump and Clinton supporters […]

Categories: International, Politics • Tags: african americans, barack obama, democratic party, donald trump, elite, hillary clinton, identity politics, left, racism, us elections, usa, working class

CHEWING OVER THE OLD YEAR, SPITTING OUT THE NEW

January 2, 2012 by Kenan Malik

Perhaps not since 1989 have we witnessed a year as momentous as the last one. From the occupation of Tahrir Square to the mass protests in Moscow, from the Euro crisis to the calamity of the Japanese tsunami, from the London riots to the Libyan conflict, from the killing of Osama bin Laden to the death of Vaclav Havel, there was constant ferment throughout 2011. But how will the events of 2011 shape those of 2012? Four thoughts: 1 Most […]

Categories: Economy, International, Politics • Tags: arab spring, barack obama, capitalism, democracy, economic crisis, euro crisis, european union, french elections, nicolas sarkozy, occupy movement, russia, russian elections, us elections, vladimir putin