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.
Andrew Delbanco’s insightful new book on the history and future of the American college exposes an institution that has no idea what it should be.
Angus Kennedy, spiked, 25 May 2012
Andrew Delbanco, Princeton University Press, 20 March 2012
The EU needs more democracy—and yet the European Parliament is flawed
Economist, 17 March 2012
Stefan Collini, Penguin, 23 February 2012
Parental intervention was once a rare occurrence in higher education. Not any more. Afshan Jafar shares her experiences of dealing with a consumerist HE culture
Afshan Jafar, Guardian, 23 January 2012
There’s a fundamental problem at the heart of our education system: private schools educate around 7% of students yet account for 44.6% of students at Oxford.
Jacob Reynolds, Independent, 5 November 2011
Children don’t need to go to school in order to enjoy cartoons, but that it takes years of study to understand great literature and become an educated person.
Michele Ledda, Independent, 23 October 2011
‘What is to be done about literacy?’ is the shrill cry heard amongst business circles and policy makers. Literacy levels of our schoolchildren are generally a source of worry amongst various educational groups and parents. I’ve finally reached the point where the answer has become blindingly clear. It is DO NOTHING.
Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, Independent, 10 October 2011
In young people’s fiction, why are girls so self-righteous and boys so oafish, asks author and Costa judge Eleanor Updale
Eleanor Updale, Daily Telegraph, 6 October 2011
Whilst sociologists and statisticians have continued to argue over the facts of social mobility, a political consensus has emerged as to the solutions.
Toby Marshall, Independent, 5 October 2011
Can conservatism survive the 21st century?
"What I love about The Battle of Ideas is that it really is a battle. I've still got the scalps (and wounds) to prove it. The audience were battlers too. A brilliant, memorable weekend."
Andrew Keen, entrepreneur; founder, Audiocafe.com; author, Digital Vertigo