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.

 Liberty & Law

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

What does it mean to be a liberal? An interview with Frank Furedi, Frank Furedi, interviewed by Sarah Boyes

The jury's out: juries and the future of justice, Luke Gittos

Rethinking privacy and trust , Norman Lewis

Rethinking privacy, Sean Bell

Identity politics: undermining democracy?, Munira Mirza

How heretic-hunting breeds totalitarianism, Arthur Versluis interviewed by Amol Rajan

Out of the shadows: why we need an amnesty for immigrants, Austen Ivereigh and Raymond Perrier

Anti-Americanism at home and abroad , Nancy McDermott

An eye for an eye: what is punishment for?, Daniel Lloyd

Cases that rob negligence of its meaning, Jon Holbrook

Surveillance society - protection from ourselves?, Karl Sharro

On Liberty in America, Alan Miller

'Nuff respect? Questioning the respect agenda, Patrick Turner

Risk aversion in the 21st century, Tony Gilland

The rise and rise of human rights – an unalloyed good?, James Gledhill

Empire of Regulation or Lawless World?, Michael Savage

 Festival Buzz

"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