Article Subjects and Geography: Culture

Digital Imperialism and Emotional Tribute in East Asia

Digital Imperialism and Emotional Tribute in East Asia

by Jianlu Bi and Ting Zhou

June 1, 2026

"In the contemporary era of stagnant monopoly-finance capital," Jianlu Bi and Ting Zhou begin, "the maintenance of global hegemony…necessitates the systemic colonization of digital consciousness. In examining the presentation of Sino-Japanese political tension across three media outlets, the authors describe digitally manufactured hatreds that "serve a vital imperialist function: the prevention of horizontal class solidarity" that may threaten U.S. hegemonic power in East Asia.
Capitalism and the Crisis of Meaning in Our Times

Capitalism and the Crisis of Meaning in Our Times

by Helena Sheehan

June 1, 2026

Philosopher and frequent MR contributor Helena Sheehan considers the implications of living in a world in which a lack of meaning runs rampant, as well as how it is expressed in the literary world. If we lack coherent analysis, the varied crises of our times can seem disconnected and overpowering. A materially grounded Marxist worldview, she notes, allows us to clear away the fog of meaninglessness engulfing contemporary society and chart a path toward socialism.
Slipping into Gogol’s “Overcoat”: A Winter’s Tale

Slipping into Gogol’s “Overcoat”: A Winter’s Tale

by Andy Merrifield

May 1, 2026

Andy Merrifield reflects on Nikolai Gogol's short story "The Overcoat," tying it to "a distinctively Marxist problematic." In the protagonist of the tale, a Russian counsellor whose life is forever changed by the acquisition of a new overcoat, Merrifield finds a character who, like Marx, knows firsthand what a single coat can tell us about the structures of society.
The Material Basis of a Spectre: Why China’s Youth Are Rediscovering Mao

The Material Basis of a Spectre: Why China’s Youth Are Rediscovering Mao

by Yinhao Zhang

April 1, 2026

This article examines the resurgence of interest in Mao Zedong among China's youth, particularly at elite universities. This "Mao fever" reflects a complex mindset: indignation toward social inequality, uncertainty within a brutal job market, and a firm anti-imperialist and patriotic stance amidst the "New Cold War." In Mao’s legacy, a new generation is finding the guidance to navigate the sharpening contradictions of the present day.
Yellow Shades upon a Global Color Line: Historicizing Filipino America and the “Deadliest Phase of U.S. Imperialism”

Yellow Shades upon a Global Color Line: Historicizing Filipino America and the “Deadliest Phase of U.S. Imperialism”

by Michael Viola

April 1, 2026

Michael Viola explores the building of the Filipino identity in the context of U.S. imperialism. The broad-reaching effects of this "deadliest phase of imperialism," combined with pervasive anti-Asian racism in the United States, fuels the idea of a collective political project that "comes with the praxis, the power, and the price of a unique lineage" extending across an ocean and intimately connected to the dark history of U.S. militarism abroad.
Insectopolis and the Fantastic Peter Kuper

Insectopolis and the Fantastic Peter Kuper

by Paul Buhle

February 1, 2026

Paul Buhle reviews Insectopolis: A Natural History, a new graphic novel by Peter Kuper. In the book, Kuper, a prolific producer and publisher of left-wing comics, spins a tale of two siblings who find themselves in a world of insects. Through encounters with butterflies, beetles, ants, and more, Kuper reveals the deep entanglements between human society—at its best and worst—and the creatures of its living environment.
Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible

Be Realistic, Demand the Impossible

by Mandy Tröger and Sydney L. Forde

December 1, 2025

Mandy Tröger and Sydney L. Forde explore the impact that Robert W. McChesney's work has had on both the communication field and on their work as the new generation of scholars. "To honor [McChesney]," they write, "is not to look up in awe, but look out…toward the unfinished work of building a more democratic field and society."
Fiftieth Anniversary Retrospective on Pomfret (Class of 1971)

Fiftieth Anniversary Retrospective on Pomfret (Class of 1971)

by Robert W. McChesney

December 1, 2025

Writing upon the fiftieth anniversary of his graduation from Pomfret School in Connecticut, Robert W. Chesney shares in his own words the story of his intellectual development, from his teen years through his studies at The Evergreen State College, and how they shaped his career as a journalist and activist—including his role as coeditor of MR.

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