Topic: Criticism of capitalism

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Protests against the IMF and the World Bank in Jakarta in 2004 (photo: Wikimedia)

Interview with Indonesian economist Iwan J. Azis

"Inequality will grow if all you do is unleash market forces"

For decades the conditions governing International Financial Institution (IFI) loans to Asian countries were often far too stringent, resulting in heightened social disparity. In interview with Hans Dembowski, Iwan J. Azis explains the risks of purely growth-oriented economiesMore

Islam and democracy: What the Arab world can learn from IndonesiaNon-fiction: Pankaj Mishra's "Age of Anger": The embittered majorityQantara dossier: "Globalisation"
Islam scholar and journalist Stefan Weidner (photo: private)

Non-fiction: Stefan Weidner on the future of the West

Next-level cosmopolitanism

With this major work, Stefan Weidner presents an impressive historical and philosophical canvas depicting the battle for the West. His aim is to help us bid farewell to the West as we know it and attentively curate its legacy. By Reginald GrunenbergMore

Non-fiction: Pankaj Mishra's "Age of Anger": The embittered majorityRight-wing populism in the USA: Trump′s deplorables"Manual for the clash of civilisations" : Islam challenges our ability to make distinctions
Supporters of the Baath dictatorship demonstrate in Damascus (photo: Reuters)

The left-wing/right-wing alliance of Assad apologists

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Disenchantment with the West?

Why do left- and right-wingers in Germany defend Assad′s tyranny? Gunther Orth has some answersMore

The Syrian conflict: A red-brown alliance for SyriaAssad and the rise of IS: My enemy's enemyInterview with Stefan Meister: "The Syria crisis is legitimising Putin"
Poster advertising the Riahi brothers' "Everyday Rebellion" project (photo: W-film/Golden Girls Filmproduktion)

Interview with filmmaker Arash T. Riahi

"Non-violent revolutions are not a hippie fantasy"

With "Everyday Rebellion", Iranian-born filmmakers Arash and Arman T. Riahi have created a multimedia project that celebrates civil disobedience and connects peaceful forms of protest in Islamic countries and around the globe. Nahid Fallahi spoke to Arash T. Riahi about the filmMore

Tahrir and Taksim – Part I: A new culture of protestTahrir and Taksim – Part II: Soundtrack of two revolutionsFive years after Iran's "Green Movement": Past and presentNader Hashemi and Danny Postel's ''The People Reloaded'': The Green Movement and the struggle for Iran's future
Scene from Ibrahim El Batout's film "El Ott" (source: zad communication & production)

Ibrahim El Batout's film "El Ott"

"We sell people, we sell souls"

Ibrahim El Batout's new film "El Ott" is both shocking and disturbing. The gangster epic documents the harsh reality of life in Cairo's slums and tells of the trafficking of organs and humans in the Egyptian capital. By Sofian Philip NaceurMore

Egyptian Cinema: Enormous Creative EnergyThe Role of Film-Makers in the New Egypt: Revolution on ScreenThe Film ''Tracks of Cairo'': An Audio Diary of the RevolutionDocumentary film: "Freedom Bus": On the rocky road to democracy
The sign for the Kazova shop and cultural centre, Istanbul (photo: Ekrem Guzeldere)

Istanbul's Kazova textile co-operative

Fighting on alone

Kazova, a textile firm that began production in 1947 but went out of business in January 2013, is about to re-open as a workers' co-operative. The 11 men and women who want to relaunch Kazova following the conclusion of the legal proceedings relating to the closure of the factory have a motto: "production without a boss". They were inspired by the spirit of Gezi. By Ekrem GuzeldereMore

"Open Forums" in Turkey: New forms of participationTurkey a year after the Gezi protests: The dream is overInterview with Turkish composer Tolga Yayalar: Inspired by the sound of GeziCulture in Turkey before and after Gezi: The end of Cool Istanbul
A demonstrator kicks a tear gas canister back to riot police during an anti-government protest in Ankara on 31 May 2014 (photo: Reuters)

Turkey a year after the Gezi protests

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The dream is over

The lack of mass protests against Erdogan's policies on the first anniversary of last summer's demonstrations in Taksim Square and Gezi Park highlights the lack of unity within the Gezi movement and the continuing crackdown on civil society activists and organisations in Turkey. By Luise Sammann in IstanbulMore

Culture in Turkey before and after Gezi: The end of Cool Istanbul"Open Forums" in Turkey: New Forms of ParticipationInterview with Turkish theologian Ihsan Eliacik: The Koran and social justice
The Egyptian writer and feminist Nawal El Saadawi (photo: Arian Fariborz)

Interview with Nawal El Saadawi

"They don't want any really courageous people!"

The spirited Egyptian author and feminist Nawal El Saadawi is not afraid of castigating the hypocrisy of the political system and the continued violations of women's rights in her country. Arian Fariborz spoke to her in CairoMore

Genital Mutilation in Egypt: Control over Female SexualityPolitical Crisis on the Nile: The Blind Faith of Egyptian Women in the MilitaryA Backlash of Patriarchy in Egypt: Hope for a Proper Revolution
Bandista in concert at the SO36 in Berlin (photo: Ceyda Nurtsch)

The Turkish music collective Bandista

"Every resistance movement has its own voice"

The music collective Bandista combines ska, dub and ethno sounds with a left-wing political message. With their catchy melodies and rhythms, they have become an essential part of street protests in Turkey. By Ceyda NurtschMore

The Piano Man of Taksim Square: Playing for PeaceThe Turkish Oriental Dub Band "Baba Zula": Music from the Fringes with a Rebellious SoulCulture in Turkey before and after Gezi: The end of Cool IstanbulQantara dossier: Musical worlds
The Indonesian writer Andrea Hirata poses with the German translation of his book "The Rainbow Troops" (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Andrea Hirata's novel "The Rainbow Troops"

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One novel; two very different versions

Andrea Hirata's novel "The Rainbow Troops" is the first Indonesian novel to become an international bestseller. Interestingly, the version available outside Indonesia is very different to the one familiar to Indonesian readers. Bettina David explores whyMore

Integrated Islamic Schools in Indonesia: Secular Subjects within a Religious Framework Popular Culture in Indonesia: Comic Heyday!Biennale Jogja XII Equator #2: Indonesia's arts scene explores the Arab world
The Djihard in Kuta/Bali (photo: DW/ D.Ossami)

Indonesia's New Anarchists

Eager to Lose Their Innocence

Insurrectionary anarchists, with international connections, nihilist values and a penchant for arson, are moving to fill the vacuum on the left. By Dominic BergerMore

Punks and Sharia Law in Indonesia: The Mohawk CrusadePunks for Politics: Underground Music Gives Young Indonesians a Voice"Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam": As Rebellious As It Gets

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Land of nomads and desert: Mauritaniaʹs extremely hot and arid climate explains its very low population density. In 2009, the country had just 4 million inhabitants spread over 1 million square kilometres. The Adrar plateau, located in the north of the country near Atar, is known for its gorges and dunes

Mauritania, land of desert and contrasts

Mauritania straddles the transition between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa, its population is equally divided between Africans and Arabs. Berber women carefully veil themselves with colourful 'melhafas', their feet decorated with henna, while Wolof women show off their beautiful skin glistening with shea butter. By Pascal Mannaerts (www.parcheminsdailleurs.com)