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.
Economics
Engineers, be bold - Britain needs grander designs
A dearth of real engineering ambition is holding back the sector. Big, ambitious projects are needed to put us back on track.
Paul Reeves and Martyn Perks, Independent Voices, 8 October 2012
A dearth of real engineering ambition is holding back the sector. Big, ambitious projects are needed to put us back on track.
Paul Reeves and Martyn Perks, Independent Voices, 8 October 2012
Climate change: EU rebrands green energy campaign
"The UK has enjoyed massive growth in the green economy with 110,000 green jobs. Climate change policies also help us reduce our imports of fossil fuels and help to give us the lead in smart technologies as resources become more scarce."
Roger Harrabin, BBC News, 8 October 2012
"The UK has enjoyed massive growth in the green economy with 110,000 green jobs. Climate change policies also help us reduce our imports of fossil fuels and help to give us the lead in smart technologies as resources become more scarce."
Roger Harrabin, BBC News, 8 October 2012
Youth unemployment: the crisis we cannot afford
The costs of these levels of long-term youth unemployment – now and in the future – are enormous. This is a crisis we cannot afford
The ACEVO Commission on Youth Unemployment, 2012
The costs of these levels of long-term youth unemployment – now and in the future – are enormous. This is a crisis we cannot afford
The ACEVO Commission on Youth Unemployment, 2012
Does economic growth make you happy?
The case against making increased GDP per capita the overriding policy objective is that it doesn’t deliver the increased happiness or welfare if promises.
Robert Skidelsky, TLS, 28 September 2012
The case against making increased GDP per capita the overriding policy objective is that it doesn’t deliver the increased happiness or welfare if promises.
Robert Skidelsky, TLS, 28 September 2012
Looking beyond market and power
Differing social and cultural patterns amongst Europeans are all too often overlooked. And this poses a threat to the core of the European project, points out a Dutch sociologist, arguing that political leaders should engage in a dialogue with their citizens.
Gabriël van den Brink, presseurop, 26 September 2012
Differing social and cultural patterns amongst Europeans are all too often overlooked. And this poses a threat to the core of the European project, points out a Dutch sociologist, arguing that political leaders should engage in a dialogue with their citizens.
Gabriël van den Brink, presseurop, 26 September 2012
Why exit is an option for Germany
Should Germany leave the euro? It is, after all, the big country with an obvious exit option.
Martin Wolf, Financial Times, 25 September 2012
Should Germany leave the euro? It is, after all, the big country with an obvious exit option.
Martin Wolf, Financial Times, 25 September 2012
Blunt scissors
Unfortunately, bemoaning red tape is easier than dealing with it
Economist, 22 September 2012
Unfortunately, bemoaning red tape is easier than dealing with it
Economist, 22 September 2012
Employment law exemptions are key to unlocking growth for Challenger Businesses
To unleash growth for start-ups the government must create exemptions in employment law and simplify the enforcement of existing regulations, a new report, Red Tape Challenge – Challenger Businesses, suggests.
Institute of Economic Affairs, 20 September 2012
To unleash growth for start-ups the government must create exemptions in employment law and simplify the enforcement of existing regulations, a new report, Red Tape Challenge – Challenger Businesses, suggests.
Institute of Economic Affairs, 20 September 2012
The summer Davos blues
Global movers and shakers are worried about China
Economist, 15 September 2012
Global movers and shakers are worried about China
Economist, 15 September 2012
China is losing its manufacturing lead
China’s attraction as a global manufacturing base has not worn off yet, but several developments are chipping it away.
George Magnus, Financial Times, 13 September 2012
China’s attraction as a global manufacturing base has not worn off yet, but several developments are chipping it away.
George Magnus, Financial Times, 13 September 2012
Trust in an age of cynicism
"The Battle of Ideas is a weekend like no other. I found the 2011 festival immensely stimulating. It gave me a great deal to think about, and a whole new list of books to read - from Virgil to Vygotsky. On to greater battles in 2012!"
Ken Macleod, award-winning science fiction writer; author, The Restoration Game and Intrusion
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