The Rich, a History
John is embarking on a new book tracing the history of wealth across the ages and different civilisations. The book will answer the critical question: is the contemporary era of globalised super-rich something new or part of a pattern from the ancient times, through the colonial era to the robber barons? It will be published by Little, Brown in autumn 2014.
His last two books, Freedom For Sale and Blair's Wars were published to wide acclaim.
Prism: spies thrive in legal free-for-all. MPs wear their technophobia with pride
No wonder William Hague faced no serious questioning in the Commons
Guardian, 12 June 2013
The rich life or the good life?
One author in praise of globalization, the other attacking unbridled capitalism
World Today, Chatham House, June 2013
Only real coalition politics can give voters parties to fit their passions
Britain's two-party system is a tribal anachronism. It survives by excluding the issues people care about
Guardian, 28 May 2013
Review: Edmund Burke by Jesse Norman
The MP makes an absorbing attempt to recast the Irish statesman as an inspiration for modern conservatism
Observer, 19 May 2013
Syria: the first conflict of the post-superpower era
For Barack Obama indecision is now strategy: heavy-handed intervention is over. Syria's tragedy is nothing has taken its place
Guardian, 14 May 2013
It is down to democracies to protect the most precious of freedoms
The global takeover of the internet by repressive governments must be prevented
FT, May 6 2013
The public has a right to know who's charged with a crime
The refusal by Warwickshire police to name one of its officers charged with stealing from the force highlights an alarming trend in public life towards secrecy
Daily Mail, May 3 2013
Take that, you bullies, snoops and gaggers
Last week brought three victories in the fight to save our civil liberties
Sunday Times, 28 April 2013
Investment in the arts is a virtuous circle
Forget principle, or social good. The economics of the government's arts cuts make no sense
Guardian, 25 April 2013
Police must tackle criminals, not Twitter bores
What possessed police to send in Special Branch, take Paris’s phone and interview her under caution?
Evening Standard, 23 April 2013
Wacky Kim is the least of our worries
China, Russia and the new 'pivot states’ pose the biggest challenge to our democratic values
Daily Telegraph, 8 April 2013
A radical Lib-Lab coalition could begin next month
The local elections are a chance to slough off the Blairite straitjacket of triangulation that so stifles choice and debate
Guardian, 3 April 2013
Review: The Democracy Project: a History, a Crisis, a Movement by David Graeber
David Graeber, a leading light in the Occupy movement, is adept at explaining the problems, but not the solutions
Observer, 31 March 2013
Like Cyprus, Britain should beware of becoming a playground for Russia's rich
As the Boris Berezovsky story shows, London has become an oligarchs' battleground too. And their influence damages our body politic
Guardian, 25 March 2013
The Leveson debate is now about politics, not the press
For Labour, this is about revenge. For the Tories, it's about keeping Dacre sweet. So who will stand up for press freedom?
Guardian, 18 March 2013
Review: Who Owns the Future? by Jaron Lanier
Two views of the internet information explosion offer starkly contrasted visions of the future
Observer, 3 March 2013
Iraq war verdict: Iran is the winner
Ten years after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, are Iraq and the world a better place – and would Tony Blair do the same again?
Daily Telegraph, 2 March 2013
Turner Contemporary
John is Chair of the board of Turner Contemporary, one of the UK's highest profile art galleries. The opening of the gallery in Margate in April 2011 received plaudits around the world, and it is regarded as one of the UK's most important culture-driven regeneration projects.
For information about its shows and other news, including latest media coverage:
www.turnercontemporary.org
@TCMargate
John is adviser to Google on freedom of expression and culture for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Global Network Initiative
John is Europe adviser to the Global Network Initiative, which promotes human rights within ICT corporations worldwide.
www.globalnetworkinitiative.org
Index on Censorship
John is a trustee of Index on Censorship, the UK's leading organisation promoting free expression. He was until March 2012 its Chief Executive.
www.indexoncensorship.org
King’s College, London
John is a member of the Council of King’s College London.