Policy Papers
History & Policy papers are written by expert historians, based on peer-reviewed research. They offer historical insights into current policy issues ranging from Afghanistan and Iraq, climate change and internet surveillance to family dynamics, alcohol consumption and health reforms. For historians interested in submitting a paper, please see the editorial guidelines.
Currently, 252 papers are freely searchable by theme, author or keyword, with new papers published regularly. Where possible, we publish papers to coincide with relevant policy developments. If you are a policy maker, civil society practitioner or journalist and would like to contact one of our historians, please contact [email protected].
You can download H&P policy papers directly from the Apple iBooks store to your iPhone, iPad or Mac. We also have an Amazon Kindle version to download to your PC for transfer to your Kindle via USB cable. Please consult your Kindle manual for further details.
De-globalization and the search for economic security
Introduction The current recession has re-ignited debates about globalization, debates so far dominated by the expression of worries that the current recession will lead to a damaging backlash against what are seen as the benefits of this process (see, for example, the series of pieces in the Financial Times, 4 January 2011). Such arguments depend, […]
Read MoreCoalition policy towards the NHS: past contexts and current trajectories
Introduction With January 2011's Health and Social Care Bill, following the financial settlement in October's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the major elements of Coalition policy towards the National Health Service (NHS) are clear. The Tory election pledge of maintaining a real term increase in expenditure has apparently been fulfilled, thus underscoring the commitment which is […]
Read MoreWine, supermarkets and alcohol policy
Introduction Since the introduction of the 2003 Licensing Act, questions about the relationship between alcohol legislation and popular drinking cultures have been the source of widespread public debate. At the time of the Act's implementation in November 2005, media reports focused almost exclusively on the consequences of drinking in pubs and bars. While the stated […]
Read MoreLow carbon futures and high carbon pasts: policy challenges in historical perspective
Introduction After Copenhagen failed to deliver an international agreement on reducing carbon emissions, all eyes turned to the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun. Notwithstanding the agreement to set up a new fund to help developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change, strategies for dealing with global warming will remain largely […]
Read MoreEngland’s early ‘Big Society’: parish welfare under old Poor Law
Introduction Under England's Old Poor Law between 1601 and 1834 welfare activities were highly organised on a local, community basis. However, this was not reliant upon the formula of mere voluntary association. On the contrary, local parish vestries operated under the authority of legal duties and obligations, set out within and enforced by the common […]
Read More‘Happy families?’ history and policy
Introduction There is a widespread belief that since the 1960s there has been a breakdown of family life in this country without historical precedent. These claims risk leading to policy responses based on false assumptions about the ways in which families and family structures have changed in recent years. The longer history of lone parenthood […]
Read MoreUnderstanding terrorism and radicalisation: a network approach
Introduction The authors of this paper have recently been involved in an unusual collaboration, funded by an AHRC Knowledge Transfer Fellowship, to cast light on contemporary issues using historical examples and recent developments in the theory of social networks. Particularly important has been the modelling of so-called 'scale free' networks. These are usually complex, consisting […]
Read MoreAfghanistan’s armies, past and present
Dr. Stephanie Cronin evaluates the relative successes and failures of the various attempts at adopting Western-style army reforms in the Afghan National Army, from the early nineteenth century to the present day.
Read MoreThe Victorian information age: nineteenth century answers to today’s information policy questions?
Introduction Information policy has become a fundamental part of our information age; most government departments, institutions, and businesses have policies for the day to day management of email, knowledge collection, and information storage and privacy issues. The British Labour Governments of 1997 – 2010 displayed a very active interest in information policy. Throughout their time […]
Read More‘The Big Society’: civic participation and the state in modern Britain
Introduction The new coalition government has pledged to move away from big government to 'the big society'. The big society proposals assume that government alone cannot solve complex social problems. Instead, by making the public services more accountable to citizens, by decentralising power and by expanding the opportunities for civic participation, it is hoped that […]
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About Us
H&P is based at the Institute of Historical Research, Senate House, University of London.
We are the only project in the UK providing access to an international network of more than 500 historians with a broad range of expertise. H&P offers a range of resources for historians, policy makers and journalists.
