1. In defence of diversity

Those who warn of the devastating effects of modern immigration need to brush up on their history, says Kenan Malik.

2. The death of Jimmy Mubenga

In this report, Lara Pawson examines how deportees become less than human, and how the UK's legal system cast a black man beyond justice.

3. In western democracies, is reading a political act?

Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, makes the case that fiction is vital to democracy.

4. Reflections on Charlie Hebdo

This extended editorial considers the fall-out of the brutal attack on the French satirical magazine. Our political systems only preserve rights such as free speech insofar as we pressure them to do so.

5. The politics of everyday life

Caspar Melville examines the legacy of Stuart Hall and Richard Hoggart, the pioneers of Cultural Studies.

6. Are Enlightenment values the property of the West?

Jonathan Israel reviews Kenan Malik's history of ethics, which makes the case that these values - which underpin modern democracy - are universal.

7. Golden girls

A generation of feminist writers is approaching old age. But the same debates, about beauty, wealth and power, rage on, writes Sally Feldman.

8. Revolution, the Russell Brand way

Padraig Reidy offers a 12-step programme to overcoming neoliberalism, courtesy of comedian-turned-revolutionary Russell Brand.

9. Bertrand Russell's lofty pacifism

He spent a lifetime opposing war – but how well does the legacy of our most famous peace activist stand up to scrutiny? By Jonathan Rée.

10. Fail better

Daniel Trilling meets the acclaimed documentary-maker Adam Curtis. His films tell the histories of utopian ideas gone horribly wrong. So why does he think we need more of them?

11. Selma is a great film, but where are the British stories about race and racism?

To assume that there was no civil rights movement in the UK does a disservice to our black history, says Reni Eddo-Lodge.

12. In pursuit of happiness

A policy revolution is under way to improve our well-being. Are its motives genuine? Niki Seth-Smith reports.