"History provides no automatic system of navigation for our leaders. Knowledge of history does not change politicians into statesmen. But ignorance of history is foolishness. The most dangerous form of ignorance is that smidgeon of shallow knowledge which lacks any understanding of the characters or context of past decisions."
Lord Douglas Hurd, 'Choose Your Weapons'
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Latest news
New policy paper released: De-globalization and the search for economic security
9 February 2011
The debate over austerity dominates our politics and has major economic implications for different parts of the UK. Jim Tomlinson, of Dundee University, looks at the historical trends in the British economy - both the shift to a service economy and the Keynesian role of the public sector, as well as their de-globalizing impact - and considers their importance for the future.
Read the paper: De-globalization and the search for economic security.
Opinion piece by Greg Rosen: 'Why Labour is the people's party'
4 February 2011
Following from Ed Miliband's speech last month claiming 'people power' for Labour, is Labour's history the story of a party of the big state? Or does it have another tradition which has been overlooked? Greg Rosen, of Goldsmiths in London, takes a look at the history and suggests some lessons for the future.
Why Labour is the people's partyH&P releases a policy calendar: key events for the year ahead
31 January 2011
On H&P's new calendar, historians can see what's coming up in policy in 2011. History & Policy has put together this list of key consultations, announcements and legislation so that our network members can, if they wish, consider writing opinion pieces or policy papers for H&P;, backed by their historical expertise. Please feel free to send us feedback and let us know if you find it useful.
New policy paper released: Coalition policy towards the NHS: past contexts and current trajectories
28 January 2011
With the recent introduction of the Health and Social Care Bill, NHS reform is at the top of the political agenda. Martin Gorsky, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, looks at the history of NHS reform, assesses the Coalition's proposals against past governments' policies and considers what we can learn for the future.
Read the paper: Coalition policy towards the NHS: past contexts and current trajectories
New policy paper released: Wine, supermarkets and British alcohol policy
11 January 2011
Recent concerns over cheap drink have put alcohol in the spotlight, with a debate over minimum unit pricing and a government commitment to ban its sale below cost price. James Nicholls, of Bath Spa University, looks at the history of alcohol sales by off-licenses and supermarkets - showing both how governments have changed the rules in the past and offering suggestions for doing so again.
Read the paper: Wine, supermarkets and British alcohol policy