European Elections: don’t ‘send a message’ this Thursday

Voting in the European elections ought to be about something more than ‘sending a message’, says Ben Ryan. 22/05/2019

Brexit, Democracy, EU

Existential dreadnought: why Westminster Abbey shouldn’t be celebrating nuclear weapons

Ben Ryan argues that Britain’s nuclear deterrent is not an appropriate focus of thanks at a church service. 01/05/2019

Britain, Cathedrals, Church of England, Morality, Nuclear weapons

Beyond Brexit: Is it time to give relational democracy a try?

Ben Ryan argues that representative democracy is failing and the time is right for a more ethical approach to decision making. 14/03/2019

Brexit, Britain, Democracy, Electoral reform, Voting

Stamp them out or compromise? How to respond to extremists

Ben Ryan argues that minority political groups with extreme ideas can easily shape the views of the mainstream majority. 01/03/2019

Activism, Brexit, Britain, Extremism, Politics

Pride: Under–rated community asset, and underappreciated threat

Ben Ryan asks how should we conceptualise the idea of ‘Pride’ in discussions of British public life. 04/02/2019

Brexit, Britain, Citizenship, Communities, Government, Identity politics, Nationalism, Patriotism, Populism, Tribalism

Ben Ryan in conversation with Archbishop Angaelos

Ben Ryan discusses religious freedom with His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church. 25/01/2019

Bishops, Britain, Christianity, Communities, Faith, Religion

Christianism: A crude political ideology and the triumph of empty symbolism

Ben Ryan reflects on ‘Christianism’, the use of Christianity by populists to advance ideological agendas. 05/11/2018

Communities, Nationalism, Politics, Religion

Halloween is an annual reminder that the British are bad at fun

Ben Ryan asks what the continued popularity of Halloween tells us about our lack of unifying cultural events. 31/10/2018

Britain, Communities, Society