Winter 2015, No. 35

Leslie H. Gelb, president emeritus of the Council of Foreign Relations, takes aim at the rejuvenated neocons and puts forward an alternative path for progressive policy-makers to follow.

Elsewhere in the issue: Margo Schlanger looks at our the national-security state in the wake of Snowden’s revelations and argues that we don’t need more privacy laws—we need more civil libertarians in government. Samuel Bagenstos examines disability policy and offers ideas on expanding help for the disabled when they reach adulthood. Rich Yeselson dives deep into the work of the New Left historians and reckons with their legacy on contemporary debates. And historian Rick Perlstein responds to Jacob Weisberg’s review of his book.

In the books section, Matthew Duss explores the fraught topic of American progressives and Israel. Linda Robinson writes on the drone revolution. Lee Drutman reviews Zephyr Teachout’s new book on corruption. Beth A. Simmons offers a defense of human rights law. And Christine Rosen assesses Nicholas Carr’s new book on what automation is doing to us.

Back Issues Archive

Features

Countering the Neocon Comeback

The neocons are back, and they're trying to get Hillary Clinton's ear. Which makes this exactly the moment for Clinton to forge her own distinct path.

By Leslie Gelb

29 MIN READ

What New Left History Gave Us

The New Left historians’ withering critiques of liberalism have proven enormously influential. But do they hold up in our more conservative age?

By Rich Yeselson

34 MIN READ

Infiltrate the NSA

To re-establish the balance between security and civil liberties, we dont just need more laws. We need more civil libertarians in the security state.

By Margo Schlanger

27 MIN READ

The Disability Cliff

We’re pretty good about caring for our disabled citizens—as long as they’re children. It’s time to put equal thought into their adulthoods.

By Samuel R. Bagenstos

26 MIN READ

Why Liberals Need Radicals--and Vice Versa

Much has changed in American liberalism since the New Deal, but nothing quite so much as the loss of its fighting spirit.

By Eric Alterman

10 MIN READ

Book Reviews

American Progressives and Israel

Defenders of Israel ignore the suffering it has caused. Critics dismiss the threats it faces. We need to navigate the space between these two positions.

By Matthew Duss

18 MIN READ

Pilotless Program

Drones have made possible a new kind of war. But unmanned warfare has brought with it the danger of foreign policy on autopilot.

By Linda Robinson

15 MIN READ

Bring Back Corruption!

Our political system has grown increasingly corrupt precisely because conservative jurists have so narrowed the word’s meaning.

By Lee Drutman

15 MIN READ

What’s Right with Human Rights

News flash: Human rights law has not altered human nature. But in numerous instances, it has altered human behavior.

By Beth A. Simmons

16 MIN READ

Automation for the People?

We know what we gain in letting machines and algorithms do our work for us. But what do we lose?

By Christine Rosen

15 MIN READ

In Plain Sight

Poor people can be the panhandler at your subway stop—but they can also be your neighbor. Who can call themselves poor, and who deserves help?

By Monica Potts

11 MIN READ

Responses

The Reason for Reagan

Understanding Ronald Reagan requires looking beyond clichés to the cultural climate of the time. A response to Jacob Weisberg.

By Rick Perlstein

11 MIN READ

Software Is Eating the Law

Why sandboxes are not enough. A response to Jessica Rosenworcel.

By Marvin Ammori Adam B. Kern