09 August 2008
The results of the online survey that accompanied the Battle for China conference received wide media coverage.
Survey says Beijing Olympics set to improve West’s view of China, Xinhua News Agency. Syndicated to:
China:
Life of Guangzhou
China.org.cn
People’s Daily
China Economic
Sina
China Human Rights
Asian News International: ‘Beijing Olympics set to improve Wests view of China: Survey’
Syndicated to:
India:
Andhra News
Yahoo News India
News Track India
Chennai Vision
The Indian
Khabar Express
New Kerala
Fresh News
Andhravilas
Japan:
Japan Herald
Ireland:
Irish Sun
For the Battle of Ideas survey summary, see here.
The Beijing Olympics will have a positive impact on the way the West sees China, according to a survey from a landmark conference on China.
The survey, launched at the Battle for China conference held in London in July, released its results today. When asked ‘What effect do you think the Beijing Olympics will have on perceptions of China?’, a clear majority – 66% – of respondents say that there will be an improvement in Western perceptions. In general, attitudes to China and its growth are positive: 62% think that China will become a democracy and 71% do not think that China’s rapid rise is a threat to world peace. An overwhelming 86% conclude that China should have been awarded the Olympic Games. 75% are concerned that Western media has been too negative about China’s rise.
The survey is split about whether or not the Beijing Olympics should be used to pressurise China over its human rights record. However, over half disagreed that this is the right thing to do.
Other results include:
• 42% of respondents think China has already become a superpower, with only 11% believing that it will not become one.
• 66% of respondents think it’s possible for 1.3 billion Chinese to have the standard of living currently experienced in the Western world.
• Only 33% of respondents think it is the responsibility of the West to ensure China develops sustainably, with 67% arguing against.
The online survey accompanied the Battle for China conference that examined Western perceptions of China, organised by the Institute of Ideas, in association with CHINA NOW, the UK’s largest ever festival of Chinese culture, and international legal practice Norton Rose LLP held in London on 12 July 2008.
The full survey is available here. The survey report was picked up by several news agencies.
The Who gives a folk? Battle Satellite held this Tuesday was a great success. If you happened to miss it or were there and want a reminder of the discussion, we have three videos captured by friction.tv available on the site now. They are short pieces by Chris Wood, Abdul-Rehman Malik and Eddy Lawrence and can be found here.
The Battle for China was a resounding success and received wide media coverage, in the UK and China.
China’s rise - threat or opportunity?, Frank Furedi
spiked, 15 July 2008
Is China the economic saviour of the 21st century?
Experts at the Battle for China debate the economic relationship between China and the West
Battle of Ideas podcast, Times Online, 16 July 2008
The poison infecting China, Yiyi Lu
Battle of Ideas blog, Times Online, 14 July 2008
Eco-imperialism is alive and well in the West, James Woudhuysen
Battle of Ideas blog, Times Online, 14 July 2008
China is losing the human rights race, Minky Worden
Battle of Ideas blog, Times Online, 14 July 2008
How experts replaced intellectuals, Alan Hudson
Battle of Ideas blog, Times Online, 14 July 2008
Why China matters to us all, Kerry Brown
Battle of Ideas blog, Times Online, 14 July 2008
The farce of bashing China’s human rights record, Brendan O’Neill
Battle of Ideas blog, Times Online, 14 July 2008
The above article was reprinted in:
People’s Daily
China Daily
China Radio International
British experts call for balanced views on China
Xinhua News Agency 13 July 2008
The above article was syndicated to:
China Radio International
People’s Daily
China Daily
China.org.cn
CQ News
China Internet Information Centre (China.cn)
China Human Rights
European News Monitor
Sina
Jongo News
British scholar: China’s trade, investment in Africa benefit all
Xinhua News Agency 15 July 2007
The above article was syndicated to:
China Daily
China Commodity Net
China Internet Information Centre (China.cn)
People’s Daily
China Military Online
Jongo News
China Daily
China Radio International
CCTV
China Ministry of Commerce
China.com
A series of blogs reflecting on the Battle for China in the Times Online.
A new generation is giving folk new meaning and an unexpected lease of life. Has folk left behind its parochial, twee image? Can it help create a more ‘radical’ English identity and heritage, an alternative to the flag-waving jingoism of Rule Britannia or is it just another brand?
Speakers: Barb Jungr, Ivan Hewett, Chris Wood, Eddy Lawrence, Neil Davenport, Cara Bleiman, Don Eales, Abdul Rehman-Malik; chair - Shirley Dent.
Plus, performing that night at the Vibe Bar downstairs, fresh from Glastonbury, folk artists Joe Driscoll and Sean Taylor!
Tickets: £7.50 (£5 concessions) from Institute of Ideas
Full details here
spiked has been running a campaign to challenge China-bashing in the run-up to Beijing 2008—so we’re delighted to be partnering with the Institute of Ideas on this intelligent and timely conference on the future of China. We have put together some recommended spiked readings for each session, and we hope they will help to spark the debate. The readings can be reached from the main session listing: look for the spiked logo.
Battles in Print are essays that accompany every debate at the Battle of Ideas festival, available online and in print on the day. Battles in Print serve as introductions to a debate and for reflection afterwards, and take a variety of forms, from short provocation essays, to head-to-heads, to longer think-pieces and interviews with leaders in specific fields.
For the second time, we are again delighted to invite ESRC funded postgraduates to enter a competition to be a part of this important series. This is your chance to get your thoughts out to the wider public with winning essays being published by Times Online, the festival’s Media partner, and the website in the run up to the Battle of Ideas as well as being printed for distribution at the festival.
There are two essay topics open to ESRC postgraduate students:
These are two key strands of debate at this year’s festival. Each strand is made up of three sessions and contestants can chose any one of the three debates in either strand to write on.
Battle for America:
Battle for the Family:
The challenge is to write an original piece of no more than 1,500 words on either topic, covering it from an interesting angle. Please use Harvard style referencing and keep the language simple and clear, but obviously be as provocative and punchy as you wish! Essays should aim to incite subsequent debate, but also serve as a thoughtful piece that, post-session, can act as a useful reference point for audience members to reflect on.
The following selection of Battles in Print from the 2007 festival may be helpful starting points:
Submitting essays
Essays should be submitted to no later than 5pm on Friday 10th October 2008. Essays posted to be received no later than 10th October 2008 can be sent to: Shirley Dent, Institute of Ideas, Signet House, 49 – 51 Farringdon Road, London, EC1M 3JP. All essays should be accompanied by name, address, university department, email address and day time telephone number.
We look forward to reading your Battle in Print. Good luck! Please contact with any questions.
What does progress mean in the 21st Century? Should countries like China and India be prevented from developing because of environmental concerns, or is this ‘eco-imperialism’? Is there a danger of romanticising Southern poverty from the comfort of our modern cities? Must development mean Westernisation, or is it possible to overcome poverty while preserving unique cultures?
Speakers include: John Hilary (War on Want), Ceri Dingle (WORLDwrite), Lee Jones (Nuffield College, Oxford), Professor Michael Redclift (King’s College, London), Claire Fox (Institute of Ideas)
For general information and ticketing (£5) contact The Lift or call 0871 663 2529.
Full details here
A new generation is giving folk new meaning and an unexpected lease of life. Has folk left behind its parochial, twee image? Can it help create a more ‘radical’ English identity and heritage, an alternative to the flag-waving jingoism of Rule Britannia or is it just another brand?
Speakers: Barb Jungr, Ivan Hewett, Eddy Lawrence, Neil Davenport, Cara Bleiman, Don Eales, Abdul Rehman-Malik; chair - Shirley Dent
Tickets: £7 (£5 concessions) from Institute of Ideas
Full details here
Ahead of this year’s Battle of Ideas keynote debate on progress, a new book by Austin Williams argues that ‘if sustainability goes unchallenged, it will kill aspiration, suffocate humanity and murder progress.’
Click here for more information
The ‘McDonaldization’ of higher education is a reality. The industrial techniques of efficiency, calculability, predictability and control have transformed higher education into a bureaucratised institution in which creativity and new ideas are scarce. A conference bringing together many well-known writers and academics will address a challenge set by George Ritzer: can we ‘re-enchant’ higher education?
Speakers include: George Ritzer, Frank Furedi, Claire Fox + many others
Tickets: £69 (£29 concessions); includes refreshments and lunch
For further details or to register, email Margaret Pye at mpye@brookes.ac.uk. For press and other comment, email conference organiser, Prof Dennis Hayes at d.hayes@brookes.ac.uk or phone 07862712742.
Download the flyer here (pdf)
Sessions for the one day satellite conference, Battle for China, have now been announced. They include: “The growth of China - threat or opportunity?”; “China’s intellectual renaissance”; and “Is China the economic saviour of the 21st century?”.
The Battle for China is a one day satellite conference of the Battle of Ideas festival and part of the CHINA NOW festival. Organised by the Institute of Ideas in association with CHINA NOW and leading international legal practice Norton Rose.
Venue: London offices Norton Rose, 3 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AQ.
Tickets: visit the Institute of Ideas website.
Co-produced by: Claire Fox, director of the Institute of Ideas and Sheila Lewis, director of Volanti Consulting
Sessions: See the full sessions listing.
The rise of China as an economic and political power is the subject of much debate in the West. The dramatic awakening of the ‘sleeping giant’ seems to provoke as much fear as admiration. Concerns range from whether rapid industrialisation will lead to social inequality and environmental destruction to the regime’s use of censorship and its role on the world stage. Now – on the eve of the Beijing Olympics – Western criticisms of China have intensified, especially in relation to human rights and Tibet. But when does valid criticism turn into demonisation? Some commentators have noted that China-bashing is the new Olympic sport. This day of discussions aims to provide some balance and allow participants to reflect on and debate some of the key themes associated with China Now.
We are extremely pleased to announce that we will be joined at the Battle of Ideas 2008 for the first time by SABMiller: one of the world’s largest brewers. SABMiller will be one of the headline partners at this year’s festival of debate, lining up with our previous partners: BT; The Economic and Social Research Council; Royal College of Art; and The Times Online.
For more information and a listing of all our partners visit our Partners page. If you are interested in becoming a partner of the Battle of Ideas please contact .
WORLDwrite are launching two new short documentaries, entitled The More the Merrier based on the Battle of Ideas 2007 debate on immigration, and Cash Back, which examines remittances. These will be screened along with guest speakers including Philippe Legrain (author of Immigrants Your Country Needs Them) and Claire Fox. Everyone is welcome to attend this celebration launch at: The New Vibe Lounge, 91-95 Brick Lane, London, E1 on Sunday 20th April 2008 at 6pm.
View the trailer for The More the Merrier now by clicking here.
It promises to be a great night and to put freedom of movement on the map, so do book your places now via WORLDwrite’s JustGiving page. The minimum donation for a ticket is £5. Canapés and wine will be served free of charge.
The Battle of Ideas website has had a facelift to get ready for spring. Put winter behind you, read a Battle in Print, flush out the cobwebs, read what people are saying about last year’s Festival and get your ticket for this year’s.
The Battle of Ideas now has its own YouTube Channel. It currently showcases a number of interviews with participants at last year\s Battle of Ideas Festival, as well as some of the speakers.
Professor Gordon Mackerron of SPRU - University of Sussex, Professor Bob Bingham of HiPER project (a European project attempting to demonstrate the feasibility of laser driven nuclear fusion) and Joe Kaplinsky (co-author of forthcoming book “Energise") will debate “Is Fusion the future of energy?” The debate is part of the Brighton Science Festival and will include short presentations by the speakers and an extended discussion from the floor. The event will take place at Bellerbys College, next to Brighton Station.
Organised by the Brighton Salon.
We are pleased to welcome two new partners on board for the Battle of Ideas 2008.
The Design and Arts Copyright Society are partnering us on a fresh and exciting area of debate for the Battle of Ideas: copyright and intellectual property in the arts world.
The legendary Vibe Bar will host a number of festival satellite events throughout 2008 in its new cutting-edge cabaret space. Check back on this website for regular updates of the programme.
For more information and a listing of all our partners visit our Partners page. If you are interested in becoming a Partner of the Battle of Ideas please contact .
The Battle of Ideas website now has an RSS feed so you can always keep up to date with what’s happening right in your browser or favourite RSS reader. Just click here and then follow the instructions to subscribe to the feed.
Is free speech being curtailed through fear of controversy?
A roundtable debate at Think-In-Kingston festival
Time: 7 – 8.30pm (followed by wine reception)
Date: April 1, 2008
Venue: Galsworthy Building, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE
Tickets: Free, but tickets must be reserved from 020 8547 5205
The days of obscenity trials and overt political censorship may be long gone, but do we truly have freedom of expression in Britain today? From BBC Radio One’s bleeping of ‘slag’ and ‘faggot’ from the Pogues’ 1987 Christmas hit Fairytale of New York “because some members of the audience might find it offensive” to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith’s new clamp down on websites that allegedly groom susceptible people for extremism and terrorism, and from the conviction of ‘Lyrical Terrorist’ Samina Malik for gathering jihadist literature to the closing down of debate on campuses through no platform policies, many people feel unable to speak freely for fear of causing controversy.
While many are against censorship per se, what happens when ‘speech’ is seen to incite violence? Recently Brighton and Hove Council, with cross party support, became the first British city to ‘ban’ “the playing of what’s loosely termed murder music”, associated with Jamaican dance-hall reggae artists, who stand accused of inciting the murder of gays and lesbians through their homophobic lyrics. Laws against the incitement of racial and religious hatred are similarly justified as protecting people from violence.
But is it dangerous to place such conditions on free speech? As American Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once remarked, ‘every idea is an incitement’. If we conclude that listeners of hateful speech are so easily incited, what does this say about our views of ordinary people’s ability to make decisions and act as autonomous citizens? Or is the demand for unlimited free speech a green light for insult, prejudice and verbal assaults on the vulnerable? Where should we draw the line?
Speakers:
Peter Tatchell: Campaigner for human rights, Green Party parliamentary candidate for Oxford East and a founder and member of the queer human rights group OutRage! http://www.petertatchell.net/
Jonathan Heawood: Director, English PEN, www.englishpen.org; former editor, Fabian Review and Deputy Literary Editor of the Observer.
Maria Grasso: doctoral student in political sociology at Nuffield College, Oxford University; co-convenor, Postgraduate Forum; academic freedom campaigner
Dolan Cummings: Research and Editorial Director, IoI; editor of reviews website, Culture Wars; organiser, Thoughtcrime Is Not Crime http://www.manifestoclub.com/freespeech
Chair - Claire Fox: Director, IoI; panellist, BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze
Read Sleepwalking into censorship? You can’t say that! by Claire Fox.
Still the opium of the masses? Religion and radicalism
We’re told that religion today is radical. Islamic extremists, evangelical fundamentalists, Catholic militants – the threat that faith poses to secular society is an aggressive, assertive and vehement one. But historically, the faithful were slated by humanists for their conservatism - where religion went wrong was its opposition to change, not its advocacy of it. So are the religious now radical – or has secular society simply taken on the conservatism of its God-fearing forebears?
Secularism 2008 is a series of three panel debates over February, March and April interrogating the state of secularism today. For more details, visit the Secularism 2008 page. Buy your tickets now from Bishopsgate Institute.
Wednesday 27 February, 7.30pm
Contemporary society appears more cosmopolitan than ever: throughout the West, people with different ethnic and cultural heritages increasingly live side by side. Yet today there seems less political conviction than ever that strangers with different backgrounds can find the common values and shared interests to shape and determine society. Instead we have become obsessed with our own identities, the defining question of our time being not so much ‘What are we going to do?’ as ‘Who do you think you are?’
Speakers: Julian Baggini, Claire Fox, Peter Hitchens, Peter Tatchell, Abdul-Rehman Malik; chair - Shirley Dent
For further details visit the Bath Literature Festival. Tickets can be booked by clicking here.
Give the gift of intellectual stimulation this Christmas and buy Battle of Ideas 2008 tickets for your friends and family, now at a special early-bird discount price.
"Participating in the Battle was a little like entering a Bombay train at rush hour - it's a plunge into a swirl of wildly differing notions of how people should arrange themselves in a really tight situation. When you eventually emerge, you find that you're in a different place from where you started - and that you've been thoroughly energised from the journey. I can't wait to take the trip again next year."
Naresh Fernandes, editor-in-chief, Time Out India
