Research

Research Topics

Through its publications and events CentreForum is seeking to build a distinctive and coherent vision of a liberal Britain. Our research focuses upon four broad themes: the politics of aspiration; empowerment; globalisation; liberalism.

The politics of aspiration	Social mobility has stalled in Britain. The ladder from poverty to wealth is getting longer and fewer people are climbing it. People's chances in life are too often determined, not by their talent or hard work, but by their social background. How can government ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations? And how can we ensure that all benefit from a good education - the engine that powers social mobility?
The politics of empowerment	The demands and expectations of citizens, if given real voice, will more effectively promote good governance than will any number of government targets or directives. That is why we are looking for new ways to devolve power, not just from central to local government, but from government at all levels to individuals, families and communities. But how can this best be done, and what will be the practical benefits to the British people?
The politics of globalisation	Globalisation has delivered many benefits. The greater movement of goods, capital and people has made the UK, and the world, richer and freer. But globalisation also brings challenges - climate change, cross-border crime and terrorism chief among them. How then can we harness the benefits of globalisation while negotiating its pitfalls? Liberalism, with its easy accommodation of both the market economics that drive globalisation and the internationalist politics needed to regulate it, is a creed tailor made for this challenge.
The politics of liberalism	Liberalism is back in vogue. All three main parties seek, on some issues at least, to portray themselves as liberal, while two of the leaders explicitly use the term to define their politics. Is this liberal consensus genuine? And what relevance does it have for 21st century politics and policy?