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Members of the South African Russian association together with Ukrainian and Lithuanian nationals  demonstrate in Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, on February 27, 2022 against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by LUCA SOLA / AFP) (Photo by LUCA SOLA/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine: A conflict soaked in contradictions

There are wars in Africa and Asia and some are rarely commented on in the media, so why is Ukraine different?

Capitalism in crisis: US President Joe Biden (pictured during his inaugural address, above) may be far from Donald Trump ideologically, but both leaders’ parties are imprisoned in a neoliberal capitalist mode of thought, argues the author. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty/AFP & Bettmann)

The American political process is disconnected from economic reality

While the Democrats and Republicans use an outdated political playbook, people need protection from the capitalist system itself

(John McCann/M&G)

Masses lulled by South Africa’s wealthy and powerful

The people need to remove their blinkers and reclaim their minds to achieve a better future

A fine balance: The apex court bench needs broadly to reflect the population. Photo: Madelene Cronjé

‘White’ elephants haunt the minds of some JSC members

Striving for racial representivity does not mean there can never be a white judge on the apex court bench again

Political is personal: Helen Zille’s latest book details her lived experiences, which our reviewer would rather read in an autobiography. (Skyler Reid)

Pope Zille speaks her truth: Go woke stay broke

Helen Zille decries using ‘lived experience’ in woke arguments, but does so herself in her latest book, says Shaun de Waal

SENEKAL, SOUTH AFRICA – 2020/10/16: EFF leader Julius Malema and members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) chant slogans outside the the magistrates court during the protest.
A tense standoff between white farmers and Black activists gripped the South African town of Senekal, as two men accused of killing a white farm manager were to appear in court. More than 100 police patrolled the area in front of the courthouse in the Free State province and used barbed wire to separate the rival groups. (Photo by Thabo Jaiyesimi/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Distraction, intimidation and future alliances define events at Senekal

The lack of compassion towards Brendin Horner’s family is the failure of identity politics

A counter protester (R) stands on her car and shows her middle finger to people gathered for a pro-Trump rally in Beverly Hills, California on October 3, 2020. (Apu Gomes / AFP)

Why would anyone vote for Trump?

COMMENT: For this gay, white soldier there simply isn’t a good enough challenger to knock him off his perch

South Africa’s present moment calls for deeper conversation on identity. (John McCann/M&G)

On identity and its discontents: What of the politics?

It is a leap to claim that identity-based oppressions necessitate a politics of identity

(John McCann/M&G)

There are reasons to reject identity politics

It is not empirically useful as an approach to understanding social reality

South Africa’s present moment calls for deeper conversation on identity. (John McCann/M&G)

Let’s slay some myths about identity politics

Just because you choose to reject an identity you are born with, does not mean it is not there

Push and pull: Francis Fukuyama analyses the factors that influence ideological progress. Photo: David Levenson/Getty Images

New look at identity struggles

Francis Fukuyama’s latest book considers dignity and recognition and the limits imposed on these