Cultural Criticism and Analysis

Tiki Bar

The Tiki Bar Resurgence of the Trump Era The Tiki Bar Resurgence of the Trump Era

It’s tacky and willfully inauthentic. Of course it’s popular again.

Jan 6, 2020 / Jackson Arn

Toni Morrison’s Revolution in American Literature

Toni Morrison’s Revolution in American Literature Toni Morrison’s Revolution in American Literature

As with Pilate, the fierce outsider and moral conscience of Song of Solomon, Morrison never asked for the proverbial seat at the table. Instead, she pulled the entire table over to...

Dec 16, 2019 / Books & the Arts / Jesse McCarthy

The Irishman

‘The Irishman’ Tells the Story of the Corruption of Empire ‘The Irishman’ Tells the Story of the Corruption of Empire

Scorsese’s gangster epic highlights the personal and political cost of counterrevolutionary violence.

Dec 6, 2019 / Jeet Heer

Nathan Robinson Why You Should be a socialist

Nathan J. Robinson Wants You to Be a Socialist Nathan J. Robinson Wants You to Be a Socialist

We talked to the editor of Current Affairs about his new book, an impassioned argument for socialism in the 21st century.

Dec 6, 2019 / Q&A / Teddy Ostrow

The Surrealpolitik of the Venice Biennale

The Surrealpolitik of the Venice Biennale The Surrealpolitik of the Venice Biennale

Is the prestigious international showcase of contemporary art necessarily nationalistic?

Nov 26, 2019 / Erica X Eisen

How Will Americans Remember Donald Trump?

How Will Americans Remember Donald Trump? How Will Americans Remember Donald Trump?

If the past is prologue, Trump will face no historical reckoning for his sprawling malfeasance.

Nov 14, 2019 / Column / Aaron Ross Coleman

30 Years Ago Eastern Europeans Tore Down Walls. Now They Write Pop Songs to Putin.

30 Years Ago Eastern Europeans Tore Down Walls. Now They Write Pop Songs to Putin. 30 Years Ago Eastern Europeans Tore Down Walls. Now They Write Pop Songs to Putin.

How crony capitalism and crippling austerity turned democracy into a dirty word.

Nov 8, 2019 / Lev Golinkin

Peter Handke’s Nobel Condones Violence

Peter Handke’s Nobel Condones Violence Peter Handke’s Nobel Condones Violence

One of Sweden’s most important authors on how the Swedish Academy abuses its platform—and the intelligentsia lets it happen.

Oct 18, 2019 / Johannes Anyuru

Jedediah Purdy Has an Idea That Could Save Us From Capitalism and the Climate Crisis

Jedediah Purdy Has an Idea That Could Save Us From Capitalism and the Climate Crisis Jedediah Purdy Has an Idea That Could Save Us From Capitalism and the Climate Crisis

We talked to the lawyer, theorist, and critic about his new book This Land Is Our Land, his concept of a moral political economy, and the legacies of Bush and Obama.

Oct 16, 2019 / Q&A / Aaron Bady

Shock, Fun, and Feminist Rage

Shock, Fun, and Feminist Rage Shock, Fun, and Feminist Rage

As second wave feminism passes into history and a new wave builds, is the world finally ready for Memoirs of an Ex-Prom Queen?

Oct 1, 2019 / Alix Kates Shulman

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