In the early months of 1776 a pamphlet called Common Sense became a sensation in the English-speaking colonies of North America. Its author, Tom Paine, called for the end of British rule, on the grounds that kings were ridiculous and crooked: ‘of more worth is one honest man to society […]
Within Nicosia’s Venetian walls, Ledra Street, with its chain stores and cafés, is in many ways similar to other high streets around the world. However, something quite unique is happening here. As you walk, the shops fade away and the street narrows with the diagonal encroachment of temporary wire fencing. […]
It was on a Tuesday morning some weeks ago that three of us nervously stepped into the waiting courtroom. Even before the trial began, things had already started to go wrong. Fearing disruption of the proceedings from noisy protestors, the judge had restricted entry to one ‘McKenzie friend’ (a non-legally […]
The Occupy Movement’s achievements, in drawing attention to matters that are fundamentally important for every single one of us, have been remarkable. In this article I will outline what critical psychiatry is, then offer a personal view of the resonance between critical psychiatry and Occupy. Finally I will contrast what […]
January 25th marked the first anniversary of the Egyptian revolution. A year after the first mass protests filled the streets of Cairo, we saw the second wave of the revolt. Again, Tahrir Square and many other places across the country were overcrowded by the masses, with more protesters than even […]
Turkey has been praised as a successful example of how ‘Muslim’ and ‘Democracy’ are not mutually exclusive terms. As it becomes increasingly difficult to justify economic and military ties with long-established dictatorships such as British links with Gaddafi or Mubarak’s regimes, along comes Turkey to provide European premiers with the […]
What do you think your child’s life will look life in 10 years? My daughter is 12 years old now and in 2022, at the age of 22, she will have taken her place in the world as an adult. My hope is that she will be living in a […]
There was a time – long, long ago – when all food was organic, local, fair trade and pesticide-free. Of course, that era was also the time of the Black Plague, the Spanish Inquisition and an average life span of 42 years, so don’t get too nostalgic. Today, we humans […]
Time again to strap on your armbands, kick off your flip flops, and go for swim in the dark waters of the derivatives market. Careful not to swallow anything – this water is toxic. Last edition, you’ll remember (how could you forget?) we talked about Credit Default Swaps: how they’re […]
This year the Queen is celebrating her 60th ‘jubilee’ but the original meaning of jubilee had a lot more to do with righting injustice than an extra bank holiday and Brian May on the roof of Buckingham Palace, says Tim Jones of www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk The word ‘jubilee’ comes from the Jewish […]