10 October 2005

From the Editor…

Welcome to the New Statesman website. Whether you are a new reader or an existing one - online or via the magazine - I hope you'll enjoy the great writing, fresh ideas and provocative debate that make the New Statesman Britain's award-winning current affairs weekly

Jason Cowley, Editor, New Statesman

Cover story

A very corporate loss of nerve

With licence fee negotiations at a critical point, the word from the top is clear: ministers must be placated. The muzzling of BBC journalism that began with Hutton is far from over

By John Kampfner

Features

Hugo Chavez - showing the US who's master

By Gerri Peev

Venezuela's president is rarely seen by foreigners for what he is: one of the world's most popular and democratic politicians. His strength may yet bring his downfall. By Hugh O'Shaughnessy in Caracas

Rumsfeld prowls the backyard

By Simon Hooper

Ribs and chips for dinner

By Kira Cochrane

Why are images of ultra-thin celebs popular? Because they take the guilt out of our gluttony, argues Kira Cochrane

USA (made in China)

By Andrew Stephen

Want to buy a bike in America? Chinese. Cadillac? Chinese parts. Wal-Mart alone imports $18bn worth of Chinese goods a year. Andrew Stephen on a trade tidal wave

Risky Reform Syndrome: the NHS's life-threatening complaint

By Niall Dickson

Streams of money are pouring into the National Health Service as a raft of changes kicks in, aiming to speed access to care. But what effect will the rush to restructure have on quality?

I'm paid too much: a doctor writes

By Mark Jopling

Essay

NS Essay - 'Anti-Semitism isn't a local side effect of a dirty war over a patch of land smaller than Wales. It's everywhere from Malaysia to Morocco, and it has arrived here'

By Nick Cohen

If you challenge liberal orthodoxy, your argument cannot be debated on its merits. You have to be in the pay of global media moguls. You have to be a Jew

Regulars

New Statesman Leader

Towards a new Europe - but what is it for?

The Politics Column

The politics column - Martin Bright reveals the real Ken Clarke

By Martin Bright

Clarke's record in opposition is woeful. When his party needed him he retreated into his hobbies: cricket, jazz, bird-watching and hawking fags around the world

Mark Thomas finds America on the side of the angels

By Mark Thomas

I am surprised to find myself saying this, but in the case of Burma the neo-cons might just be on the side of the angels

Lindsey Hilsum witnesses the limits of US power

By Lindsey Hilsum

The limits of American power are there for all to see. Ask yourself why Iran is so confident today

Competition

Win vouchers to spend at any Tesco store

Culture

Wot's so great about yoof?

By Michael Bywater

As the Young@Heart Chorus prepares to astound London with its ancient cast, whose ages range from 73 to 101, Michael Bywater celebrates the desperately unfashionable notion of Being Old

Faking it

By Nicholas Wapshott

American television - What is Jon Stewart about? And why should we welcome The Daily Show? Nicholas Wapshott reports from New York

Radio head

By Tom Armitage

Electronic music - What do you get if you cross an upright bass with a chainsaw? Tom Armitage heads for the Placard Headphone Festival to find out

Television

And now, from Norwich . . .

By David Self

Television - As ITV celebrates its 50th anniversary, David Self, who wrote the questions for Sale of the Century, celebrates the joys of the quiz show

Radio

Radio - Rachel Cooke

By Rachel Cooke

Welcome to the celebrity presenter: youth, fame, good looks - and a voice like a cabbie on speed

Theatre

Michael Portillo - Council taxing

By Michael Portillo

Theatre - Local government is as boring on stage as in any town hall, writes Michael Portillo Playing With Fire National Theatre, London SE1

Film

John Lyttle - Sole sisters

By John Lyttle

Film - Fabulous shoes and Britflick cliches save more northerners, writes John Lyttle Kinky Boots (12A)

Television

Andrew Billen - Religious right

By Andrew Billen

Television - An ex-adman presents a witty, erudite history of Christianity. By Andrew Billen The Battle for Britain's Soul (BBC2)

The Fan

The fan - Hunter Davies

By Hunter Davies

In Becks Major's book, Sven will find all the tips he needs to manage England

Books

Far from heaven. As political leaders lost their fear of hellfire in the 19th century, so the churches lost their ability to restrain them. In Europe, religion became an instrument of state power, paving the way for the horrors of the 20th century

By Edward Skidelsky

Earthly Powers: religion and politics in Europe from the French revolution to the Great War Michael Burleigh HarperCollins, 530pp, £25 ISBN 0007195729