Populism rises again

As the New Internationalist embarks on its great, democratic, community shares experiment, Vanessa Baird explores the contradictions of today’s media landscape.

Rising distrust of politicians and parliaments, declining voter turnouts – these are now common trends in many established democracies. But is support for democracy itself ebbing away?

Swallowing the lies – or ‘alternative facts’ – of populist politicians is having profound consequences. NJ Enfield takes a fresh look at a potent old tradition – and suggests a way forward.

The Trump shock shows that the same old same old is no longer an option. Jonathan Matthew Smucker on building the progressive alternative.

The violence of the Duterte regime in the Philippines and the devotion of his fans, as witnessed by Iris C Gonzales.

Don’t just think of it as a dirty word, says Richard Swift; a genuine populism of the Left is long overdue.

In Canada, private sponsors are paying refugees’ resettlement costs. But should such a scheme be replicated elsewhere? Sian Griffiths reports.

Rebecca Cooke meets young women in Mozambique who are defying the odds and resisting child marriage.

Surrogacy has become an international trade that needs tighter regulation, argues Miranda Davies.

In shock after hearing of the London attack and a Bangalore assault, Mari Marcel Thekaekara reflects on what could defeat hate of the ‘other’ and finally bring us together.

In the United States in the 1980s, the simple act of providing refuge became a form of civil disobedience, writes Mark Engler.

There is no country in the world that has a proud history of men making great laws about women’s bodies, writes Kate Smurthwaite.

As excessive extraction makes water a scarce resource, the struggle of Imidir can give a glimpse into a future where the choice must be made between industry and community, writes Kevin Buckland.

Many are finding it impossible to pay school fees for their malnourished children or to get medicines for ailing family members, writes Dilnaz Boga.

The forcible expulsion of the Mapuche from land that now turns a profit for Benetton dates back to colonization, write Leny Olivera and Sian Cowman.

The new president of the Gambia promises to revive the economy, to end censorship of the media, and to leave after three years, writes Richard Swift.

Amnesty Interantional states that at least 10,000 Darfuri students have been arbitrarily arrested or detained since 2003, writes Maina Waruru.

In the absence of deterrent laws or decisive action by the authorities, hunters are killing the migrant birds on a large scale, reports Robert Ewan.

There have been reports of violence and mistreatment of detainees on board charter flights, and campaigners report inadequate independent monitoring, reports Amy Hall.

Systematic murders of activists, particularly environmentalists, often fly under the radar, says Richard Swift.

Citizens from across Europe are retracing the footsteps of refugees by walking from Germany to Syria, writes Lydia Noon.

Bhutan goes negative; Pakistan’s trans rights; United communities

Praise, blame and all points in between? Your feedback published in the April 2017 magazine.

Her travel plans thwarted, Amy Booth reflects on a very Bolivian way of drawing attention to grievances.

by Simon Kneebone.

Both cash flow and political power have remained concentrated in Cambodia, writes Zoe Holman.

Pedro X Molina from Nicaragua with ‘American Honeymoon’.

The latest cartoon from Polyp.

Cartoon by Marc Roberts

The journalist talks to Charukesi Ramadurai about recording the stories of everyday people and his hopes for India’s future.

A Quiet Passion; The Salesman.

A Common Truth by Satland; Les Amazones d’Afrique by République Amazone.

They Can't Kill Us All; Romaphodia; Familiar Strangers