Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
It is almost a cliché to note how ‘bitterly divided’ and polarised politics and culture has become. The UK’s summer riots revealed a deeply troubled society, with different groups in our towns and cities seeming to live parallel lives. Meanwhile, polarised abuse is ubiquitous on social media. Beyond describing this polarisation, what’s to be done? Calling for more civility and a better standard of debating is undoubtedly a positive step. Yet often those who claim they want to make exchanges less toxic, preaching a kumbaya ‘be kind’ approach, advocate for censorship. In any case, are polarised politics really the stuff of democracy or to be feared and controlled?
The speakers on the panel are:
Dr Calum TM Nicholson - director of research, Danube Institute
Max Sanderson - assistant managing editor, Guardian
Tom Slater - editor, spiked; co-host, spiked podcast and Last Orders
Dr Kathleen Stock - columnist, UnHerd; co-director, The Lesbian Project; author, Material Girls: why reality matters for feminism
The chair is:
Claire Fox - director, Academy of Ideas; independent peer, House of Lords; author, I STILL Find That Offensive!
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in by hitting the thanks button below. Thank You!
It is almost a cliché to note how ‘bitterly divided’ and polarised politics and culture has become. The UK’s summer riots revealed a deeply troubled society, with different groups in our towns and cities seeming to live parallel lives. Meanwhile, polarised abuse is ubiquitous on social media. Beyond describing this polarisation, what’s to be done? Calling for more civility and a better standard of debating is undoubtedly a positive step. Yet often those who claim they want to make exchanges less toxic, preaching a kumbaya ‘be kind’ approach, advocate for censorship. In any case, are polarised politics really the stuff of democracy or to be feared and controlled?
The speakers on the panel are:
Dr Calum TM Nicholson - director of research, Danube Institute
Max Sanderson - assistant managing editor, Guardian
Tom Slater - editor, spiked; co-host, spiked podcast and Last Orders
Dr Kathleen Stock - columnist, UnHerd; co-director, The Lesbian Project; author, Material Girls: why reality matters for feminism
The chair is:
Claire Fox - director, Academy of Ideas; independent peer, House of Lords; author, I STILL Find That Offensive!
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in by hitting the thanks button below. Thank You!
