History & Policy

In order to address pressing environmental challenges (particularly but not only climate change) and reduce possible dangerous levels of economic inequality, it may be necessary to achieve rapid change politically, economically, socially and technologically. What were the conditions that led to rapid change in the past?

Within the context of global urbanisation cities are increasingly looked at as the location where sustainability issues will be solved (or not), particularly as state power wanes in a globalised economy. Greater autonomy for cities and an enlarged role for city networks have been suggested by many. Yet historically empowered cities have a chequered record in delivering environmental and social progress. What can history tell us about the conditions that enabled or prevented progress?

Within the context of global urbanisation cities are increasingly looked at as the location where sustainability issues will be solved (or not), particularly as state power wanes in a globalised economy. Greater autonomy for cities and an enlarged role for city networks have been suggested by many. Yet historically empowered cities have a chequered record in delivering environmental and social progress. What can history tell us about the conditions that enabled or prevented progress?

Within the context of global urbanisation cities are increasingly looked at as the location where sustainability issues will be solved (or not), particularly as state power wanes in a globalised economy. Greater autonomy for cities and an enlarged role for city networks have been suggested by many. Yet historically empowered cities have a chequered record in delivering environmental and social progress. What can history tell us about the conditions that enabled or prevented progress?

Within the context of global urbanisation cities are increasingly looked at as the location where sustainability issues will be solved (or not), particularly as state power wanes in a globalised economy. Greater autonomy for cities and an enlarged role for city networks have been suggested by many. Yet historically empowered cities have a chequered record in delivering environmental and social progress. What can history tell us about the conditions that enabled or prevented progress?

A recent theme running through civil society campaigning has been the need to ‘deepen democracy’ both through participation processes and reforming education so that all citizens, including the most marginalised, are provided with the capability to critically engage and shape decisions at a local, city, state, international level. This strand of the conference will examine historical variations in levels and forms of civic and popular participation in politics and policy.

A recent theme running through civil society campaigning has been the need to ‘deepen democracy’ both through participation processes and reforming education so that all citizens, including the most marginalised, are provided with the capability to critically engage and shape decisions at a local, city, state, international level. This strand of the conference will examine historical variations in levels and forms of civic and popular participation in politics and policy.

A recent theme running through civil society campaigning has been the need to ‘deepen democracy’ both through participation processes and reforming education so that all citizens, including the most marginalised, are provided with the capability to critically engage and shape decisions at a local, city, state, international level. This strand of the conference will examine historical variations in levels and forms of civic and popular participation in politics and policy.

A recent theme running through civil society campaigning has been the need to ‘deepen democracy’ both through participation processes and reforming education so that all citizens, including the most marginalised, are provided with the capability to critically engage and shape decisions at a local, city, state, international level. This strand of the conference will examine historical variations in levels and forms of civic and popular participation in politics and policy.

The concept of progressive incrementalism will be critically examined, through case studies of how norms have changed in relation to slavery, the treatment of animals, and gender norms.