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? Columns Happy birthday humanism For two centuries one word has symbolised the battle against extremism, says Bill Cooke Features 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 doneTea 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 Regulars Diary: Give us a hug Peyvand Khorsandi pays a visit to Amma – India's hugging saintEnd Game: Sound of silence Laurie Taylor waxes lyricalThinker: Simone de Beauvoir The feminist icon was dedicated to freedom for all humanity, says Toril Moi Book Reviews Servants of the Supernatural: The Night Side of the Victorian Mind by Antonio Melechi Peter Wayne serves up the supernaturalSomething To Tell You by Hanif Kureishi Philip Womack has something to tell you about Hanif Kureishi's latestPhysics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku Bill Thompson finds Michio Kaku's science impossibly badEnergy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture by Simon Reynolds Andrew Mueller travels back in time to Acid HouseThe Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie Shirley Dent believes Rushdie is the ultimate humanist storytellerSuckers: How Alternative Medicine Makes Fools Of Us All by Rose Shapiro Natalie Haynes endorses an attack on alternative medicine
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