A scandalous government plot to recast Australia’s judiciary; a widespread cover-up of murder; a dazzling deception that sells the logic of greed as a moral triumph – these are just some of the essays featured in Overland 167. In his 7,000-word essay, the celebrated academic and social scientist RW CONNELL maps out ways in which a free market mentality has become the new means of social control. 167 also features hard-hitting criticism of some of Australia’s cultural institutions. In his review of Australian Book Review, KEN GELDER writes about nepotism and favours: “Far from being disinterested, ABR filters and directs, overpraises friends and colleagues, and doles out reviews to a select few, mainly board members or editorial advisors”. JEFF SPARROW marvels at the “wacky stuff” published in Blaming Ourselves, an earnest book edited by some right-wing literati; and NATHAN HOLLIER details the affectations of the “mean-spirited schoolyard dobber” who serves as our Prime Minister. Contributions from JENNY HOCKING, ANGELA MITROPOULOS, JUDE McCULLOCH, BARRY HILL, HUMPHREY McQUEEN, LUCY SUSSEX and many others. Overland 167 also contains overland’s regular serving of poetry, fiction, dialogue and reviews.