Volume 123 Issue 2 March/April 2008

Editorial: Toxic mix: From Russia to India, France to Iran, come particular examples of a general rule – religion and politics are a toxic mix

Cover Story

Russian roulette: After the Russian election it may be all change at the top. But, asks Michael Binyon, who is the real winner?

Happy birthday humanism: For two centuries one word has symbolised the battle against extremism, says Bill Cooke

Spongers: Why shouldn’t people have to earn the right to be housed? Julian Baggini gets back to basics
Malls & Mausoleums: Iran refuses to conform to expectations, finds Nina Power
A Tsar is born: As a new theatrical tribute to Catherine the Great opens in Russia, Sally Feldman wonders what Putin’s people will make of the Empress of the Enlightenment
Forced to be free: France’s ban on headscarves was hailed as a victory for secularism. But, argues Joan W Scott, its political roots are more sinister
Craft works: Laurie Taylor interviews Richard Sennett: Richard Sennett tells Laurie Taylor why he believes in patience, practicality and a job well done
Tea and empathy: The human imagination, says Martin Rowson, allows us to make the world in the image of ourselves
Rush hour of the gods: India's middle classes are becoming increasingly pious, says Meera Nanda
True confessions: What can we learn about extremism from the memoirs of former Islamist radicals? Stephen Howe investigates

Diary: Give us a hug: Peyvand Khorsandi pays a visit to Amma – India's hugging saint
End Game: Sound of silence: Laurie Taylor waxes lyrical
Thinker: Simone de Beauvoir: The feminist icon was dedicated to freedom for all humanity, says Toril Moi

Servants of the Supernatural: The Night Side of the Victorian Mind by Antonio Melechi: Peter Wayne serves up the supernatural
Something To Tell You by Hanif Kureishi: Philip Womack has something to tell you about Hanif Kureishi's latest
Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku: Bill Thompson finds Michio Kaku's science impossibly bad
Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture by Simon Reynolds: Andrew Mueller travels back in time to Acid House
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie: Shirley Dent believes Rushdie is the ultimate humanist storyteller
Suckers: How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools Of Us All by Rose Shapiro: Natalie Haynes endorses an attack on alternative medicine