Writing on the wall
Henri Lefebvre, the theoretician of the Paris uprising of 1968, saw that society’s most profound truths were etched on everyday life, discovers Daniel Miller
Politics & Conflict
Drambuie in Damascus
Forget the booze cruise, Winston Fletcher finds that, with a little patience, you can get sozzled in Syria
Power to the pulpit
Religion has always been an election issue in America. But in the current campaign, argues James Crabtree, it’s not just the Republicans who are courting the faith vote
Diary: Man the hedgerows
The spirit of freedom lives on in parklife, says Ken Worpole
Editorial: Toxic mix
From Russia to India, France to Iran, come particular examples of a general rule – religion and politics are a toxic mix
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
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