CONTENTS

THE BIG STORY

I M AG E S

/ PA

I PA U S A

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/ T N S

I O N

I T U T

/AT L A N TA J O U R N A LC O N S T

I R T M A N N

I G

J EN N

DEMOCRACY

15 Democracy on the edge

Unloved and under threat from several sides, democracy seems to be in peril. Should it be saved – or helped to change? Vanessa Baird investigates.   21 Information and democracy – THE FACTS 22 Love and other conspiracies

Laxmi Murthy reports on the theory of ‘love jihad’ that is sweeping across India.  24 How to talk with conspiracy theorists 25 The space invaders

Psychoanalyst Adam Phillips talks about our need for privacy in a digital age.  28 Dark money

It twists and corrupts democracy in hidden ways. Peter Geoghegan explores the murky world of thinktanks and billionaire backers.   31 How we are gulled

Propaganda and media expert Peter Pomerantsev on tackling disinformation and the power of the digital platforms.  34 Defibrillating democracy

A kick-start for a habitable future. Claire Mellier and Rich Wilson make the case for citizens’ assemblies.  37 ACTION Ways to get active on demoracy.

4

CURRENTS

Stories making the news   8 India’s farmers stand up for their livelihood Plus: Borderlines   9 Introducing: Cori Bush Plus: Seriously? 10 Western Sahara: ceasefire broken Athletes call out body policing DRC: landmark protection for indigenous people Plus: Inequality Watch Plus: Sign of the Times 12 Hard-won feminist victory in Argentina Plus: Open Window 13 Norway presses ahead with Arctic oil Plus: Reasons to be cheerful

REGULARS   6 Letters

Plus: Why I…   7 Letter from Manila

Iris Gonzales on why the general public still believes in heroes.

40 Country Profile: Nigeria

49 Temperature Check

Danny Chivers weighs up the evidence on carboncapture technologies and finds them wanting.

50 The debate

Is homeschooling socially harmful? Lindsey T Powell and Cheryl Fields-Smith disagree.

53 Southern Exposure

Clubbing in Lima, pandemic style, by Paco Chuquiure.

54 The Interview

Michael Fakhri, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, has a bold vision for a trade system that reflects how people actually eat.

72 Hall of Infamy

Why bully boy Bezos can’t stop smirking.

80 The Puzzler

81 Agony Uncle

As his comrades argue about trans women, a reader feels conflicted. Step forward Agony Uncle.

82 What if…

We banned intensive animal agriculture? Hazel Healy imagines an end to cheap meat.

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