Cultural Criticism and Analysis

‘Secundus Defecated Here’: What Ancient Graffiti Means Today ‘Secundus Defecated Here’: What Ancient Graffiti Means Today

If you’re under the false impression that the world is falling into utter moral disrepair, turn your eyes toward Pompeii.

Jul 26, 2012 / Blog / Cord Jefferson

A Crisis of Spirit in the Age of ‘Colbert’ A Crisis of Spirit in the Age of ‘Colbert’

The values of the market have come to permeate every aspect of our society.

Jun 6, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Mother Natures: On Elisabeth Badinter

Mother Natures: On Elisabeth Badinter Mother Natures: On Elisabeth Badinter

In The Conflict, the French intellectual takes American mothering to task.

May 16, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Jennifer Szalai

Marine Le Pen and the False Specter of European Fascism

Marine Le Pen and the False Specter of European Fascism Marine Le Pen and the False Specter of European Fascism

Americans who worry about dangerous trends overseas should take a look at warning signs much closer to home.

May 2, 2012 / Beat the Devil / Alexander Cockburn

From ‘Brown’ to ‘Lawrence’: On the Struggle for Gay Civil Rights

From ‘Brown’ to ‘Lawrence’: On the Struggle for Gay Civil Rights From ‘Brown’ to ‘Lawrence’: On the Struggle for Gay Civil Rights

Dale Carpenter's exceptional account of the history of Lawrence v. Texas.

Mar 27, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Michael O’Donnell

Challenging the ‘Self-Made’ Myth Challenging the ‘Self-Made’ Myth

No one who has succeeded in America actually did it on his or her own.

Mar 21, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Katrina vanden Heuvel

All that Lore: On James Wolcott

All that Lore: On James Wolcott All that Lore: On James Wolcott

The critic James Wolcott has been gamely fighting losing battles for most of his career.

Jan 18, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Leo Robson

Cruel America Cruel America

Roars of applause for executions at the GOP debate, official approval of torture, barbaric prison conditions, obstruction of aid to storm victims and children in need—is our ...

Sep 28, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Schell

Gratitude and Forbearance: On Christopher Lasch

Gratitude and Forbearance: On Christopher Lasch Gratitude and Forbearance: On Christopher Lasch

Christopher Lasch and his quest for the moral resources of the next New Deal.  

Sep 14, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Norman Birnbaum

The New American Jujitsu

The New American Jujitsu The New American Jujitsu

In the wake of 9/11, we have summoned up imaginary demons to spare ourselves from facing the all-too-real burdens of our time.

Aug 31, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Schell

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