New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
4 August 2011

In this week’s New Statesman: Slum rule

Paul Mason: the secrets of the slums | John Pilger returns to Cuba | Mehdi Hasan: stop making excuse

By George Eaton

In this week’s New Statesman, Paul Mason reports from the slums of Manila and, finding that the residents are surprisingly determined not to leave, asks if we have to learn to live with the slums for ever.

Elsewhere, John Pilger returns to Cuba and says that while the country is going through a big social and political transition, its people still hold independence dear, Mehdi Hasan argues that liberals need to stop making excuses for Obama, Rafael Behr says that Miliband’s position is safe but the illusion of unity will be ever harder to sustain, and David Blanchflower argues that the credibility of US economic policymaking is in shreds.

Also this week, Helen Lewis-Hasteley talks to comic writer Graham Linehan, the creator of Father Ted and The IT Crowd, Samira Shackle reports on Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws, and Margaret Heffernan says that “wilful blindness” is characteristic of an age when some companies are not just too big to fail, but too big to govern.

All this, plus comedian Robert Webb on why writing for the Telegraph was like getting a weekly spanking, Laurie Penny on a summer of scapegoating, and Alice Miles on why Barack Obama needs to be as brave as a gay cowboy.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
How a digital approach to trade could empower economic growth
The UK’s skills shortfall is undermining growth
Unlocking investment in UK life sciences through manufacturing