From Critique and Humanism, populist movements are a threat not because they raise the issue of direct democracy, but because they advocate nationalist mobilisation based on xenophobia; is populism identical to the crisis of democracy or rather a symptom of it? Populism vs Democracy: The idea of the referendum as an instrument of the people's will rests on pre-democratic foundations (and a response). Dahlia Lithwick on why the Supreme Court matters next election — seriously. From TNR, Jed Pearl on nihilism and capitalism in the art world: US museums are now fully-owned subsidiaries of the market. A review of Cosmic Anger: Abdus Salam, the first Muslim Nobel Scientist by Gordon Fraser. Gus Russo reviews The Road to Dallas: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy by David Kaiser. From Salon, an article on why Obama should pick Hillary Clinton as Veep (and why not). From Plenty, free public transit for all? Bill McKibben explores an alternative congestion pricing plan; and a look at why carbon is the next gold. Anywhere, USA: It seems to me that people in the US are actually craving not change, as we're hearing in current campaign rhetoric, but rather sameness — and more than ever. Jonathan Chait on the Zell Millerization of Joe Lieberman. An interview with Lifeboat International's Philippe Van Nedervelde on safeguarding humanity. Who goes to a Gallagher show in 2008?