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REMNANTS OF EUGENICS IN BLUE JEANS 

The subtle shadow of eugenics persists. In media and advertising, qualities like “beautiful, pure, attractive” are still shown as “good genes.” Although eugenics has been rejected, the discriminatory seeds in its underlying ideology are still alive in society.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

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Birsa’s Forlorn Children

The 150th birth anniversary this year of the tribal martyred hero, Bhagwan Birsa Munda (1874-1900) has begun to be observed with deserved enthusiasm in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and other parts of the country. Many Indians, especially those of tribal stock, would perhaps agree that this is an appropriate time to dwell on the abysmal conditions in which Birsa’s children are forced to live and die.

LOUNGE

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How Capitalism Became a Threat to Democracy

What has happened is that capitalism has been changed drastically by technology. Milton Friedman’s vision of Capitalism and Freedom now seems out of touch with economic reality. Yet because many still cling to it, the policy reforms we need are being blocked. Without greater public mobilization to support them, the threat to democracy will continue to grow, in America and around the globe.

‘The Task of the Translator’ (1923) by Walter Benjamin