Battles in Print & Culture Wars

Battles in Print are specially-commissioned essays that explore topics being discussed at the Battle of Ideas 2008, serving as introductions to the debate and encouraging further reflection. Battles in Print take a variety of forms, from short provocation essays to longer think pieces and interviews, and are available both online and in print at the festival itself. They are complemented by themed book reviews on Culture Wars, the Institute of Ideas' online review, which was relaunched this summer.

Editors: Dolan Cummings and Sarah Boyes

The 2008 Battles in Print are now available below. Select a theme on the left to see related Battles in Print from the archive.

 Health & Wellbeing

Shaping social policy: designers and health, Martyn Perks, Maja Kecman, Lynne Maher, Jason Mesut and Alastair Donald

Rethinking therapy culture, Kathryn Ecclestone

A Hypochondriac Nation, Tracey Brown

Boozy Britain?, Bill Durodie

Complementary medicine, Colin Berry

Fat Fictions, Patrick Basham and John Luik

 Festival Buzz

Particle Physics is Sexy

View: Particle Physics is Sexy

"Taking part in the Battle of Ideas is like putting your brain in a pencil sharpener. It works better as a result."
George Brock, Saturday Editor, The Times