Page 5 – Politics and Rights Review

Microhistories of Africa: Statues at the Slave Market Memorial in Stone Town, Zanzibar, commemorating the victims of the transatlantic slave trade. Photo by Son of Groucho (CC BY).

Books Political History

Microhistories and the African Past

Toby Green’s new book, The Heretic of Cacheu is published in the US by University of Chicago Press and in the UK by Allen Lane.

By

16 Min Read

Tourists from around the world at the Louvre, a symbol of cultural soft power and global exchange. Photo by Alicia Steels.

The Thinking Line

In Tumult, Understanding Soft Power

Soft power does not come from armies but from people, through culture, education and the everyday connections that shape how nations are seen around the world.

By

15 Min Read

Just for You

Latest Stories

$Disintegrating Societies: The Rise of Division and Unrest. As societies fracture under the weight of political polarization, economic disparity, and social unrest, the line between order and resistance blurs. This powerful image captures the escalating tensions between authority and protest, a reflection of the deepening societal divides shaping our world. Are we witnessing the fight for justice or the collapse of civil discourse? As democracy wavers, the question remains: what comes after the unrest?$

Our Disintegrating Societies: On What Divides Us

As we observe our current world order becoming less cohesive, more volatile,…

11 Min Read

Books Political History

A New History of Atlantic Slavery from the Global South

About the book: Humans in Shackles: An Atlantic History of Slavery by…

16 Min Read

Enslaved People _Cover-of-the-book-Patchwork-Freedoms_Law-Slavery-and-Race-beyond-Cubas-Plantations-by-Adriana-Chira

Patchwork Freedoms: How Enslaved People Won Their Rights

Winner of the James A. Rawley Prize in Atlantic History (2023) and…

4 Min Read

A political street mural in San Diego with bold red, black, and beige tones. It features a woman holding a newspaper questioning climate denial, propaganda-style posters, and imagery related to surveillance and control. The artwork highlights free speech, censorship, and political power dynamics.

Books Freedom of Expression

Does Free Speech Have a Future?

About the book The Life and Death of Freedom of Expression by…

21 Min Read

Animal Dream: A red fox sleeps peacefully in the sunlight, its body relaxed and still. Photo by Qijun Huang.

Books Environment & Animals

When Animals Dream: The Hidden World of Animal Consciousness

In the fourth century BCE, the Greek philosopher Aristotle labeled sleep “a…

14 Min Read

Bad Bunny, wearing a green baseball cap and a black suit, holds up a Grammy award while speaking at the microphone. His working-class aesthetic, often reflected in his music and performances, raises questions about labor, authenticity, and pop stardom.

Culture & Politics

When Pop Stars Play Working-Class Heroes: Music and Labor

Bad Bunnies, Champagne Papis, and the Performance of Work.

9 Min Read

Black and white close-up photograph of a marijuana leaf, showing its serrated edges and detailed texture against a blurred background.

Marijuana Rescheduling: Federal Uncertainty in the U.S.

The federal government’s rescheduling efforts are now cast in uncertainty, but expect…

9 Min Read

A detailed black and white sketch of Milton Friedman, deep in thought with his hand resting on his chin. Milton Friedman, known for his influential work on free-market policies and the economic consequences of his theories.

The Economic Consequences of Milton Friedman

The term ‘neoliberalism’ is commonly used pejoratively and as a catch all…

15 Min Read

A nighttime aerial view of Taipei, Taiwan, featuring the illuminated Taipei 101 surrounded by skyscrapers. The image highlights the city's urban infrastructure and economic development

Studying Taiwan from Its Own Perspective: Why It Matters

About the book Taiwan Lives: A Social and Political History, by Niki…

16 Min Read

Alexis de Tocqueville was a keen observer of democracy. His work Democracy in America (1835) analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of democratic societies, warning against the tyranny of the majority and the dangers of centralized power.

A History of Liberalism for Illiberal Times: Freedom from Fear

About the book Freedom from Fear: An Incomplete History of Liberalism ,…

15 Min Read

Digital Maquerade. Three Chinese feminist activists dressed as brides with red stains resembling blood hold protest signs against gender-based violence on a busy street. Their expressions are serious and defiant, symbolizing resistance against censorship and state repression. The scene represents a creative form of feminist and queer activism in China

Digital Masquerade: Feminist and Queer Activism in China

In 2015, Li Maizi, Wei Tingting, and three other feminists were arrested…

66 Min Read

How China’s E-Commerce Boom Charts a Digital Path to Growth

In merely 20 years, China leapfrogged developed economies to build an e-commerce…

11 Min Read

High-ranking military officials of South Sudan’s government, representing the intersection of political power, corruption, and the country’s militarized governance.

Chronic Instability and Violence in South Sudan

How did South Sudan’s peaceful secession from Sudan devolve so quickly into…

27 Min Read

cover of The Creole Archipelago: Race and Borders in the Colonial Caribbean

Rethinking Colonial Caribbean History

Winner of the 2022 James A. Rawley Prize in Atlantic History

7 Min Read

While innovation is often celebrated in technology, the essential labor of caregiving remains undervalued despite its foundational role in sustaining society.

How Innovation Hype Devalues Reproductive Labor

About the book Reproductive Labor and Innovation: Against the Tech Fix in…

14 Min Read