Criticism of capitalism
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Interview with Indonesian economist Iwan J. Azis
"Inequality will grow if all you do is unleash market forces"
For decades the conditions governing International Financial Institution (IFI) loans to Asian countries were often far too stringent, resulting in heightened social disparity. In interview with Hans Dembowski, Iwan J. Azis explains the risks of purely growth-oriented economies
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Non-fiction: Stefan Weidner on the future of the West
Next-level cosmopolitanism
With this major work, Stefan Weidner presents an impressive historical and philosophical canvas depicting the battle for the West. His aim is to help us bid farewell to the West as we know it and attentively curate its legacy. By Reginald Grunenberg
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The left-wing/right-wing alliance of Assad apologists
Disenchantment with the West?
Why do left- and right-wingers in Germany defend Assad′s tyranny? Gunther Orth has some answers
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Interview with filmmaker Arash T. Riahi
"Non-violent revolutions are not a hippie fantasy"
With "Everyday Rebellion", Iranian-born filmmakers Arash and Arman T. Riahi have created a multimedia project that celebrates civil disobedience and connects peaceful forms of protest in Islamic countries and around the globe. Nahid Fallahi spoke to Arash T. Riahi about the film
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Ibrahim El Batout's film "El Ott"
"We sell people, we sell souls"
Ibrahim El Batout's new film "El Ott" is both shocking and disturbing. The gangster epic documents the harsh reality of life in Cairo's slums and tells of the trafficking of organs and humans in the Egyptian capital. By Sofian Philip Naceur
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Istanbul's Kazova textile co-operative
Fighting on alone
Kazova, a textile firm that began production in 1947 but went out of business in January 2013, is about to re-open as a workers' co-operative. The 11 men and women who want to relaunch Kazova following the conclusion of the legal proceedings relating to the closure of the factory have a motto: "production without a boss". They were inspired by the spirit of Gezi. By Ekrem Guzeldere
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Turkey a year after the Gezi protests
The dream is over
The lack of mass protests against Erdogan's policies on the first anniversary of last summer's demonstrations in Taksim Square and Gezi Park highlights the lack of unity within the Gezi movement and the continuing crackdown on civil society activists and organisations in Turkey. By Luise Sammann in Istanbul
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Interview with Nawal El Saadawi
"They don't want any really courageous people!"
The spirited Egyptian author and feminist Nawal El Saadawi is not afraid of castigating the hypocrisy of the political system and the continued violations of women's rights in her country. Arian Fariborz spoke to her in Cairo
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The Turkish music collective Bandista
"Every resistance movement has its own voice"
The music collective Bandista combines ska, dub and ethno sounds with a left-wing political message. With their catchy melodies and rhythms, they have become an essential part of street protests in Turkey. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Andrea Hirata's novel "The Rainbow Troops"
One novel; two very different versions
Andrea Hirata's novel "The Rainbow Troops" is the first Indonesian novel to become an international bestseller. Interestingly, the version available outside Indonesia is very different to the one familiar to Indonesian readers. Bettina David explores why
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Indonesia's New Anarchists
Eager to Lose Their Innocence
Insurrectionary anarchists, with international connections, nihilist values and a penchant for arson, are moving to fill the vacuum on the left. By Dominic Berger