Reading for Battle
Battle Readings is a regularly updated compilation of articles, essays, and opinion pieces relevant to the themes of the Battle of Ideas.
Choose a theme from the listing on the left to narrow your search, or view all readings.
Recent Readings
Page Three Girls and porn-again feminists
It really is sad that so many feminists get their knickers in a twist about the Sun’s topless beauties.
Jennie Bristow, spiked, 22 November 2012
It really is sad that so many feminists get their knickers in a twist about the Sun’s topless beauties.
Jennie Bristow, spiked, 22 November 2012
The Law’s cyber drug war. Is it time to hold peace talks with internet suppliers of ‘legal highs’?
Like alcohol, can these chemicals not be taken in the right way, at the right dose
Jonathan Hurlow, Independent, 1 November 2012
Like alcohol, can these chemicals not be taken in the right way, at the right dose
Jonathan Hurlow, Independent, 1 November 2012
What happened to the caring professions?
The Tory drive to make teachers and carers chase after statistics has hindered rather than helped
Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, Independent, 29 October 2012
The Tory drive to make teachers and carers chase after statistics has hindered rather than helped
Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, Independent, 29 October 2012
The Leveson Inquiry: There’s a bargain to be struck over media freedom and regulation
n A balanced outcome from the inquiry could both strengthen the legal defences for good journalism done in the public interest and create incentives for regulation which does not rely on statutory backing. Both the law and regulation must make more use of an effective public interest test.
George Brock, The Foundation for Law, Justice and Society, 2012
n A balanced outcome from the inquiry could both strengthen the legal defences for good journalism done in the public interest and create incentives for regulation which does not rely on statutory backing. Both the law and regulation must make more use of an effective public interest test.
George Brock, The Foundation for Law, Justice and Society, 2012
Should the law try and correct society's prejudices?
While the 2010 Equality Act seems to be discouraging prejudice, it has also come under attack for limiting freedom
Luke Gittos, Independent, 18 October 2012
While the 2010 Equality Act seems to be discouraging prejudice, it has also come under attack for limiting freedom
Luke Gittos, Independent, 18 October 2012
The ‘Dark Ages’ were a lot brighter than we give them credit for
We still view European history as taking off with the Renaissance and Enlightenment, but this position gets more out-of-date the more we learn
Richard Swan, Independent, 17 October 2012
We still view European history as taking off with the Renaissance and Enlightenment, but this position gets more out-of-date the more we learn
Richard Swan, Independent, 17 October 2012
Forget the Booker, the prize every author really wants is academic validation
There's so many prizes today's writers aren't bothered about who wins. The purpose awards serve now is to tell readers what to read.
Miguel Ceia, Independent, 16 October 2012
There's so many prizes today's writers aren't bothered about who wins. The purpose awards serve now is to tell readers what to read.
Miguel Ceia, Independent, 16 October 2012
There's a new species of prohibitionism on the rise
Instead of an outright ban on activities deemed "undesirable" - like getting off your head on booze - the state is trying to render them socially inacceptable
Jason Smith, Independent, 15 October 2012
Instead of an outright ban on activities deemed "undesirable" - like getting off your head on booze - the state is trying to render them socially inacceptable
Jason Smith, Independent, 15 October 2012
Scotland: the world’s most childish nation
The SNP thinks children should be trusted with votes in a referendum, but adults shouldn't be trusted with booze and fags.
Rob Lyons, spiked, 15 October 2012
The SNP thinks children should be trusted with votes in a referendum, but adults shouldn't be trusted with booze and fags.
Rob Lyons, spiked, 15 October 2012
Your conscience, my health: the right to refuse?
"If you'd rather not have your prejudices challenged, stay away from the Battle of Ideas."
Nigel Warburton, senior lecturer, philosophy, Open University; author, Free Speech: A Very Short Introduction
follow the Institute of Ideas
