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 & Well-being

In drug policy, pragmatism is the only moral approach, Roger Howard & Leo Barasi

The problem of early intervention, Martin Earnshaw

Doddery but a little too dear? - a defence of improving care, Professor David Oliver

Alcohol pricing is not the 'answer': the hypocrisy behind new drinking laws, Suzy Dean

Liberating the NHS?, Brid Hehir

How teenage pregnancy became redefined as a social problem, Jan Macvarish

What does happiness mean today?, Ashley Frawley

Building ourselves happy, Karl Sharro

Some myths of the ‘Work-Life Balance’ discussion , Para Mullan

Debating therapy culture: a brief response to Kathryn Ecclestone, Simon Anderson and Julie Brownlie

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

Can philosophy change your life?, James Gledhill

Boozy Britain?, Bill Durodie

Complementary medicine, Colin Berry

Fat Fictions, Patrick Basham and John Luik

Psychiatrists and drug companies are thoroughly redefining normal behaviour, Christopher Lane

The men's health movement - a morbid symptom, Dr Michael Fitzpatrick

Human enhancement: creating superhumans or dicing with our destinies?, Stuart Derbyshire

The Age of the Uber-Athlete, Jon Entine

Every child matters – so don’t touch!, Heather Piper

Workplace stress – medical epidemic or all in the mind?, Ken McLaughlin

Morbid Fascinations - our obsession with death, Tony Walter

 Festival Buzz

"The Battle of Ideas provides a valuable and positive resource at a time when intelligent debate, public speaking and challenge seem to be diminishing in public life."
Barb Jungr, chansonniere