Countercurrents.org

Social Science: Neither Social nor Science by Robert Jensen countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In “Social Science: Neither Social nor Science,” Robert Jensen questions the claim that economics, political science, sociology and related disciplines qualify as sciences in the same sense as physics and chemistry. Human societies are too complex for universal laws and reliable predictions, while research inevitably involves judgments shaped by assumptions and values. Jensen argues that these limitations do not diminish the importance of studying human behaviour. By identifying patterns, scholars can help develop institutions suited to local conditions and human flourishing. Intellectual integrity, he maintains, requires recognising the limits of knowledge and resisting ideological distortions in research.

My Peace Shrine by H Patricia Hynes countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In “My Peace Shrine,” H Patricia Hynes reflects on the worldwide persistence of war and the erosion of efforts to address racial inequality. Her daily visits to a modest peace sign become an occasion to contemplate conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere, alongside the consequences of racism and the dismantling of diversity initiatives in the United States. Drawing on the work of Marija Gimbutas, examples of peaceful societies and John F Kennedy’s vision of peace through mutual tolerance, Hynes considers how communities and nations might move beyond violence towards a more just and peaceful world.

All Too Many Kings In Donald Trump’s World by Tom Engelhardt countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In “All Too Many Kings In Donald Trump’s World,” Tom Engelhardt reflects on the latest No Kings Day protests in the United States and his own unsuccessful attempt to join a demonstration in New York City. His experience becomes a personal symbol of a wider political malaise. Engelhardt examines the consolidation of authoritarian power, the weakening of democratic resistance and the consequences of Donald Trump’s rejection of climate science. At 82, he considers the world his generation is leaving to its children and grandchildren, confronting a political decline inseparable from the planet’s growing climate crisis.

The Human Dimensions of Refugee and Migrant Issues by Prof Dr P J Thomas Pathilchira countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Refugees and migrants are often portrayed as threats to jobs, resources and national identity. This article examines how extreme nationalism, armed conflicts, ethnic discrimination and religious persecution force people to abandon their homes. Drawing on Immanuel Kant, Seyla Benhabib and Hannah Arendt, it advocates a humanitarian approach grounded in human dignity, universal rights and cosmopolitanism. It contrasts the enormous economic costs of war with political claims about the burden of migration. The author argues that overcoming the “us versus them” mindset is essential to building a more humane global order.

Reading Ulysses at the Martello Tower by Chris Hedges countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In “Reading Ulysses at the Martello Tower,” Chris Hedges reflects on James Joyce’s novel while revisiting places associated with its characters and Ireland’s history. Through Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus, Hedges explores human vulnerability, suffering, nationalism, religious authority and the violence concealed by grand political ideals. Joyce’s insistence on human complexity challenges heroic myths and the rhetoric that demands sacrifice in the name of noble causes. Against the backdrop of contemporary despair, Hedges finds in literature a source of comfort and moral insight. "Ulysses" affirms kindness, empathy and the enduring human spirit.

Balochistan Is Not Just a Territory: A Nation’s Struggle for Freedom by Baloch Siddik Azad countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Balochistan’s struggle for political self-determination is rooted in a history of contested sovereignty, British imperial intervention and the disputed accession of Kalat to Pakistan in 1948. In this essay, Baloch Siddik Azad traces the evolution of Baloch political grievances and examines the continuing tensions over autonomy, national identity, natural resources and state authority. The article argues that military control cannot resolve a conflict rooted in political identity and contested legitimacy. It examines the principles of self-determination, the protection of human rights and the need for a credible political process through which the Baloch people can determine their collective future.

Hate Is the New Normal: An Essay on Harsh Mander’s “It Started With Words: The Epidemic of Hate Speech in New India” by Kabir Deb countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "Hate Is the New Normal", Kabir Deb examines Harsh Mander’s "It Started with Words: The Epidemic of Hate Speech in New India", exploring how prejudice becomes embedded in everyday life and political culture. Drawing on accounts of attacks against minorities, the experiences of Kashmiri students, and documented hate speech, the essay traces the relationship between language, political power, and exclusion. It examines how religious identity is used to question citizenship, legitimise discrimination, and weaken democratic values. The essay argues for evidence-based scrutiny of hate speech and a commitment to equality, constitutional rights, and human dignity.

From Algorithmic Alienation to Human Emancipation: Reclaiming Freedom in the Digital Age by Pon Chandran countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Political freedom and equality before the law remain essential, but they do not eliminate economic inequality or guarantee meaningful human autonomy. In the digital age, algorithmic systems and surveillance capitalism extend the reach of commercial power into human attention, behaviour and social relationships. In this article, Pon Chandran examines how digital platforms shape public debate, influence individual choices and weaken collective solidarity. He argues that human emancipation requires cognitive autonomy, democratic control over technological infrastructure and stronger social relationships. Technology must serve shared human development rather than become an instrument of surveillance, exploitation and behavioural control.

Netanyahu’s Grip Slips while Israel’s Political Gridlock Deepens by Dr Ranjan Solomon countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Benjamin Netanyahu’s political dominance faces a serious setback as Israel’s election produces a parliament without a clear governing majority. With approximately 90 per cent of votes counted, his right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox bloc is projected to win 53 seats, while the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot remains short of a majority. The most significant development is the projected 19 seats for Arab-led political groupings, nearly doubling their current representation. Yet Jewish-led opposition parties remain reluctant to rely on Palestinian representatives. The election exposes a deeper contradiction in Israeli democracy: Palestinian citizens’ votes count, but their participation in power remains contested.

The Dead Among Us Know by Edward Curtin countercurrents.org/2026/10/… In "The Dead Among Us Know", Edward Curtin reflects on memory, death, institutional deception and the lives that remain with us long after they are gone. Revisiting a childhood photograph of his friend Arthur Nickerson, who was shot dead by a New York City police officer, Curtin questions the official account of the killing and recalls his own encounters with police corruption. Drawing on literature, philosophy and personal memories, he examines the masks people wear and the stories societies construct to conceal uncomfortable truths. The essay connects remembrance with the need to confront injustice and celebrate life.

Statewide Protest Day Against Corporate Control of Natural Resources and State Repression of People’s Movements in Odisha by Prakash Kumar Samantsinghar countercurrents.org/2026/10/… People’s movements, mass organisations and civil society groups observed a statewide Protest Day across Odisha on October 27, opposing corporate exploitation of land, forests, minerals and water, and the repression of democratic movements. The organisations condemned the arrests of activists, alleged false cases and restrictions on villagers resisting projects affecting their livelihoods and ancestral lands. They called for effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act, immediate framing of PESA rules, respect for Gram Sabha rights and repeal of the 2026 amendments to the MMDR Act. Memoranda outlining these demands were submitted to government authorities.

Israeli Strike on Gaza Government Facility Kills Four, Injures Dozens by Quds News Network countercurrents.org/2026/10/… An Israeli airstrike on a Ministry of Economy facility in al-Mawasi, Rafah, killed four Palestinians and injured more than 30 others, including eight in critical condition. The attack comes amid a fragile US-backed ceasefire that has failed to halt killings, bombardment and restrictions on humanitarian aid. According to Palestinian sources, more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began in October 2025. Israel continues to expand its military control over Gaza, where displacement, food shortages and widespread destruction persist. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out withdrawal from occupied territory in the enclave.

COP31: Performative summit or a catalyst for climate justice? by Tanuj Samaddar countercurrents.org/2026/10/… COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9–20, is being presented as an implementation-focused climate summit. Yet the host country’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and the limited enforcement mechanisms of the Paris Agreement raise concerns about the gap between commitments and action. The article examines how fossil fuel interests continue to influence climate negotiations while vulnerable countries face mounting losses from climate disasters. Nepal’s recovery needs and the Maldives’ struggle for climate finance illustrate the unequal burden of global warming. The summit’s credibility will depend on accountability, adequate funding and meaningful progress towards climate justice.

‘Technically simple does not mean politically simple’: What stands in the way of protecting the planet? by Donald Jacob countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Protecting the planet requires more than scientific knowledge, environmental laws and institutions. Donald Jacob argues that the essential building blocks already exist, but lack a common legal framework that gives the integrity of the Earth system priority in conflicts. Drawing lessons from the Montreal Protocol and the scientific assessment of planetary boundaries, he proposes an Earth Constitution supported by an international alliance of scientists, lawyers, organisations, cities and citizens. The central challenge is fragmentation, both within environmental movements and across political systems. Building a shared planetary commitment, he argues, must precede effective legal implementation and enforcement.

From the Students’ Movement to Adivasi Struggles: Uniting Against Corporate Power by Deba Ranjan countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Deba Ranjan examines the potential of the students’ movement to grow into a broader struggle against corporate power. He distinguishes people’s movements, driven by individual acts of dissent and collective resistance, from political parties’ organised programmes. While students are challenging restrictions on democratic protest, the article argues that the movement has yet to develop a clear anti-corporate agenda. Adivasis, farmers and women are already confronting corporate power over land, livelihoods and resources. Building connections among these struggles, strengthening solidarity across generations and linking movements internationally could expand the fight for democracy into a wider challenge to corporate domination.

E A S Sarma Urges President to Intervene Against Tribal Affairs Ministry’s Opposition to Great Nicobar Tribals’ Plea in High Court by E A S Sarma countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Former Union Secretary E A S Sarma has appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene against the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ reported opposition to tribal leaders being impleaded in a PIL before the Calcutta High Court concerning the Great Nicobar mega-infrastructure project. Sarma argues that the Ministry’s position undermines the rights of the Nicobarese and Shompens, whose ancestral habitat faces a proposed reduction of 16,610 hectares in the Tribal Reserve. Citing the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and relevant tribal protection regulations, he urges the President to ensure that tribal communities’ rights and concerns are respected.

Nithya Raman and the Indian-American Rise: From Boardrooms to City Halls by Meda Parameswara Reddy countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Nithya Raman’s mayoral race in Los Angeles reflects the growing presence of Indian Americans in corporate leadership and electoral politics in the United States. Born in Kerala, Raman moved to the US as a child, studied at Harvard and MIT, and later worked with slum residents in Chennai before entering local politics. Her campaign focuses on housing affordability and reducing tent encampments. Alongside the rise of Indian-origin executives heading major corporations, her candidacy marks another stage in the community’s public life. The article examines education, family expectations and ambition while stressing that political leaders must ultimately be judged by their results.

No Authority Can Crush the Right to Dream and Aspire by Adv Dr Shalu Nigam countercurrents.org/2026/10/… Across continents, people are protesting against inflation, war, unemployment, inequality, restrictions on freedoms and failures of governance. In this article, Adv Dr Shalu Nigam examines the aspirations underlying these movements, arguing that the demand for a dignified life extends beyond immediate grievances. From struggles for education and fair wages to campaigns for democracy and gender equality, people seek the freedom to shape their futures. Although authorities may suppress dissent and restrict liberties, they cannot extinguish the human desire for a better world. The article calls for accountable governance, protection of peaceful protest and conditions that enable everyone to pursue their aspirations.

The Caring Hands Deserve Care, Too by S Mohan countercurrents.org/2026/10/… On the International Day of Care and Support, S Mohan examines why those who sustain families and communities often work without adequate recognition, fair wages or social protection. Women bear a disproportionate share of unpaid care, while many paid caregivers face insecure employment and limited bargaining power. Drawing on the International Labour Organization’s 5R Framework, the article outlines measures to recognise, reduce and redistribute unpaid care work, while rewarding and representing care workers. It argues that governments, employers and society must share responsibility for care and ensure dignity, security and fair working conditions for those who provide it.

Unmasked Agendas: Macron, Youth Protests and Blocking Social Media by Dr Binoy Kampmark countercurrents.org/2026/10/… French President Emmanuel Macron’s response to youth protests has brought renewed scrutiny to government efforts to restrict social media. Protests that began over staff shortages and deteriorating conditions in schools expanded across thousands of institutions, with students, parents and teachers raising concerns about education and university admissions. After France’s Constitutional Council struck down legislation restricting social media access for under-15s, the government considered temporarily suspending access to major platforms during anticipated urban unrest. Telecom operators challenged the feasibility of the proposed restrictions. Dr Binoy Kampmark examines how child protection and public order are invoked in debates over digital access, dissent and protest.