In this week's magazine Melvyn Bragg guest edit

• Observations

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    Democracy, according to the Greeks

    Many modern historians have a rose-tinted view of ancient Athenian democracy. But in reality, theatre was part of the cultural backdrop to an imperialist democracy.

    By   Mary Beard
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    Gore Vidal interviewed by Melvyn Bragg

    Melvyn Bragg talks to one of the great men of American letters about politics, literature and living.

    By   Melvyn Bragg

• Columns

• Features

• Critics

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    “The Part-Time Job”: a short story by P D James

    A tale of crime and punishment by the veteran lady of letters P D James, published exclusively by the New Statesman.

    By P D James
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    Gore Vidal interviewed by Melvyn Bragg

    Melvyn Bragg talks to one of the great men of American letters about politics, literature and living.

    By Melvyn Bragg

• Backpages