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.
International Relations & Development
The End of Empire - Attila the Hun and the Fall of Rome
Attila the Hun – godless barbarian and near-mythical warrior king – has become a byword for mindless ferocity. His brutal attacks smashed through the frontiers of the Roman empire in a savage wave of death and destruction. His reign of terror shattered an imperial world that had been securely unified by the conquests of Julius Caesar five centuries before.
Christopher Kelly, W. W. Norton, 22 September 2011
Developers threaten Beirut's architectural heritage
Once the jewel of the Mediterranean, parts of Beirut are now in a state of shambles. Decades of civil war and Israel's bombardment five years ago has left some buildings pockmarked with bullet holes, others just bombed-out shells. But the buildings that survived bullets and bombs are now under threat from the wrecking ball.
Rebecca Collard, National (UAE), 16 September 2011
Once the jewel of the Mediterranean, parts of Beirut are now in a state of shambles. Decades of civil war and Israel's bombardment five years ago has left some buildings pockmarked with bullet holes, others just bombed-out shells. But the buildings that survived bullets and bombs are now under threat from the wrecking ball.
Rebecca Collard, National (UAE), 16 September 2011
Europe is turning back to national identity – and it's exhilarating
The European debt crisis is a reformation moment – the EU has overreached its power and now faces a crisis of legitimacy
Simon Jenkins, Guardian Comment is free, 15 September 2011
The European debt crisis is a reformation moment – the EU has overreached its power and now faces a crisis of legitimacy
Simon Jenkins, Guardian Comment is free, 15 September 2011
Germany’s euro question
Nobody knows the answer, especially not the Germans themselves
Economist, 10 September 2011
Nobody knows the answer, especially not the Germans themselves
Economist, 10 September 2011
Tata for now
The country’s biggest manufacturer is Indian. What does it seek from and give to Britain?
Economist, 10 September 2011
The country’s biggest manufacturer is Indian. What does it seek from and give to Britain?
Economist, 10 September 2011
Role reversal: an ex-colony may be getting the better, in economic terms, of its old master
“Historically the Angolans worked for the Portuguese, but now it’s the Portuguese who are working for the Angolans,” says Paulo Pimenta, a Portuguese lawyer based in Mozambique. “People have to get used to it.”
Economist, 3 September 2011
“Historically the Angolans worked for the Portuguese, but now it’s the Portuguese who are working for the Angolans,” says Paulo Pimenta, a Portuguese lawyer based in Mozambique. “People have to get used to it.”
Economist, 3 September 2011
Delivering growth while reducing deficits: lessons from the 1930s
In the Great Depression of the 1930s Britain grew strongly despite significant cuts in the government’s deficit, shortterm interest rates which were already as low as possible, and the international economy being in disarray. That is exactly what policymakers need to achieve today. This paper sets out what happened in the 1930s and what we can learn from that experience.
Nicholas Crafts, CentreForum, 2011
In the Great Depression of the 1930s Britain grew strongly despite significant cuts in the government’s deficit, shortterm interest rates which were already as low as possible, and the international economy being in disarray. That is exactly what policymakers need to achieve today. This paper sets out what happened in the 1930s and what we can learn from that experience.
Nicholas Crafts, CentreForum, 2011
African jewels
A timely anthology of short stories reveals the strength of contemporary African fiction and the growth of globalised, “post-national” literature
Ruth Franklin, Prospect, 24 August 2011
A timely anthology of short stories reveals the strength of contemporary African fiction and the growth of globalised, “post-national” literature
Ruth Franklin, Prospect, 24 August 2011
A Revolution, with Qualifications
What the naysayers got right about the Arab Spring.
James Traub, First Post, 19 August 2011
What the naysayers got right about the Arab Spring.
James Traub, First Post, 19 August 2011
Aliens may destroy humanity to protect other civilisations, say scientists
Rising greenhouse emissions could tip off aliens that we are a rapidly expanding threat, warns a report
Ian Sample, Guardian, 18 August 2011
Rising greenhouse emissions could tip off aliens that we are a rapidly expanding threat, warns a report
Ian Sample, Guardian, 18 August 2011
Frankenstein's Daughters: from science fiction to science fact?
"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
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