Recent trends and events across the UK, US, and many European countries, including the war in Ukraine, Brexit, the election of Trump, numerous immigration crises, and the perceived lack of solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic, suggest a shift away from an 'ideas-informed' democratic society. Demagogues, Populism and Misinformation examines two crucial factors that influence ideas engagement: the allure of 'dark ideas' and the necessary preconditions for effective engagement with ideas, such as tolerance, intellectual humility, intellectual empathy (a willingness to engage with other perspectives), and intellectual curiosity.
Chris Brown is Professor of Education, University of Southampton. He is Head of the Southampton Education School and Distinguished Visiting Professor at University of Tübingen. Chris has an interest in how people go about harnessing great ideas to improve the human condition.
Graham Handscomb is Honorary Professor at University College, London (UCL) and Visiting Professor at Durham University and the University of Bolton. Graham also works as an educational and change consultant.