Josie Appleton founded and is director of the Manifesto Club. She coordinates the club’s campaigns for freedom in everyday civic life - including campaigns against vetting, on-the-spot fines, booze bans and photo bans - and writes many of the club’s reports and documents. As a journalist and essayist, she comments frequently on contemporary freedom issues, from the French burqa ban to smoking bans, from free speech to common Law liberties. She writes about the history and philosophy of freedom at notesonfreedom.com. Her book, Officious: Rise of the Busybody State, will be published in the autumn. |
China: Elizabeth Economy - Urbanising 400 million people
"Anyone interested in taking the pulse of informed public debate wouldn't want to miss the Battle of Ideas. It's one of the most enjoyable forums to hear balanced but passionate arguments presented by some of the most articulate, knowledgeable and charismatic speakers in public life. A hard core workout if you're interested in society."
Victoria Walsh, arts curator