Free Thinkers

Freethinkers Christmas Party
2024-12-21 13:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Christmas party!

We are what we eat? Ultra Processed People
2025-01-18 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Recently, there has been much controversy surrounding Arla, and a state of anxiety over additives in processed foods.

Cattle are now allegedly being fed with Bovaer (an additive that is supposed to reduce their methane output). This controversial product is also potentially health hazardous to humans.

With more and more UPF on the market, are we now seeing the results of too much artificial interference? Are we at the juncture where we face a food crisis similar to BSE?

Maybe the supermarkets are unwilling to take action in fear of losing profits. Is it time that the FSA investigated these products more thoroughly?

Join us for another indepth discussion and debate. Once again, all opinions are welcome, and we only ask that you respect everyone else’s opinion. Please also refrain from offensive language.

The event is free, but as always, we would appreciate you purchasing a drink or two from the bar downstairs (soft drinks count).

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Left Wing or Right Wing? How do we interpret these opposing ideologies?
2025-02-08 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
This month, Matthew McVeagh has kindly volunteered to lead a discussion on this controversial topic.

In a world that has become so polarised of late, how do we view our political alignment? Many people would consider themselves as either ‘left wing’ or ‘right wing’.

Many others would either view themselves as ‘centrist’ or merely ‘apolitical’. Up until the last 10 years, this preference of political persuasion was mostly cordially accepted across the board.

However, since the mid-2010s, an overwhelming surge of populism on both the left and the right of the political spectrum has saturated the mindset.

Many people will now group themselves into opposing factions. Some will even refuse to associate with their neighbours, work colleagues, or even family members if they believe them to hold a different political mindset to their own.

So please join us for an interesting and often vocal debate/discussion. As always, all opinions are welcome, and we only ask that you refrain from using abusive language whilst also respecting the opinions of others.

The event is free of charge under the condition that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar (non-alcoholic beverages included). Look forward to debating with everyone.

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Bitcoin, Other Crypto Currencies, CBDCs and Fiat: What's the Difference?
2025-03-15 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
How will these affect our future spending, savings, and credit ratings?

Join us this month for a discussion led by Nik Mitev, who has kindly volunteered to share his knowledge of CBDCs and crypto.

He will give everyone an overview of how money really works – fiat, BTC, and CBDCs. This will be followed by a question and answer session.

Long gone are the days when fiat money (£$¥€) was backed by gold. Today, any state with a sovereign currency can print as much as it wants. They did exactly this in 2008 and again during COVID. It would appear that every time they need money to pay for a larger war. This printing then results in inflation, which impacts the poorest the most. The value of all fiat currencies decreases over time.

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency that gained traction, and it was announced in 2008 as an alternative to endlessly devalued fiat. Its main feature is that it is not controlled by any authority, and there’s a cap on the maximum BTC that can be created. As of late, it was valued at $1.86 trillion, and, for comparison, all gold in existence is valued at around $18.24 trillion.

After Bitcoin, numerous other cryptos were launched. Some of them have features and functionality with great potential. Others, based on ideas that are flawed and unfortunately, even scams.

CBDCs are the establishment’s take on crypto currencies and, unfortunately, the ultimate tool for control. Nearly all governments around the world have related projects that are at various stages. Some are still at the research level, others have been piloted, and they are even deployed.

As usual, we encourage everyone to take part, but please respect the opinions of others and refrain from abusive language.

The event is free under the priviso that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar downstairs. Non-alcoholic drinkers are also catered for.

Look forward to debating with everyone.

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The Benefits of Health Kinesiology, including Self Healthcare with Julie Tasker
2025-04-26 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Health Kinesiology

Each of us naturally holds acupressure points during our life, such as holding your chin whilst thinking, which enables you to release stress and think more clearly.

Holding your forehead when feeling stressed, which releases other stresses, helps to cope better with life.

Julie’s presentation will give you some background about Health Kinesiology as well as, if you wish, you may learn some basic ways for self-help, such as Emotional Stress points, in order to gently hold your head more effectively and thus, efficiently release stress rather than just holding your head specifically.

Kinesiology – the study of movement that may often be unconscious movement.

‘Kinesis’ movement – often unconscious movement.

Health Kinesiology (HK) combines ancient wisdom of the Traditional Chinese Medicine, together with the modern technique of muscle testing. This was developed by Jimmy Scott PhD. in the 1970s.

Health Kinesiology is ‘muscle response testing’ to access your body and energy system for what it really needs in order to be healthy and release stress.

The focus of this is to enable a smooth, healthy process. Unfortunately, counselling and other similar therapies may open up your memories of experiences in your life and underlying beliefs. Whereas Health Kinesiology and other similar therapies are guided by muscle response testing, particularly as we have established which acupressure points to hold the stress as you think and/or discuss.

As Jimmy Scott stepped back into retirement, he allowed Health Kinesiology to be overseen by Natural Bioenergetics (NB), which involved changing its name, though Julie still uses the term Health Kinesiology, rather than NB, as she sees this as more understandable as it is to support people’s health with muscle response testing.

For further information, check out the links to Health Kinesiology that have been posted on the Group Chat.

Look forward to seeing everyone. Once again, please be aware that we get this venue free of charge, so be honourable and purchase a drink or two from the bar (non-alcoholic beverages are served).

And please respect each others’ opinions as we will expect everyone to respect yours. No offensive language is accepted.

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Israel and Palestine: Why is there so much conflict in the Middle East?
2025-05-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Lincolnshire Poacher, Nottingham, 161-163 Mansfield Rd, Nottingham, NG1 3FR, United Kingdom
This month, Andrew (Adam) Smalley will be leading a discussion on the current situation in the Middle East.

Jews have been persecuted throughout the ages. ln response to a massacre of Israelis and the subsequent hostage taking, Palestine is being attacked. Many people are protesting for a ceasfire, and some are calling for a Free Palestine, 100s of thousands across the UK in 2024

Many people will mix or confuse a desire for capitalism with cheap oil and gas from the Middle East, exported to Europe and North America, with the greed of Israel to land grab. As says the Bible, “Why look for a speck in someone else’s eye when you have a plank in your own”

This presentation is to look at all the arguments that might support the underlying problems. Maybe it’s the power structures of Arabic countries and the West’s need for an ally in the Middle East, or even a foothold to maintain low oil and gas prices.

What can an average person do positively in response to the gradual destruction of Gaza and its people? How can they respond without offending a whole nation of people who, on the whole, are completely against what’s happening in Gaza, just as many British people were against Tony Blair’s war in Iraq.

So join us for an interesting debate/discussion. All opinions are welcome, we only ask that you respect the opinions of others and refrain from any abusive language.

The event is free under the priviso that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic beverages are available).

Look forward to debating with everyone.

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That's Entertainment... Or is it?
2025-06-21 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Most of us of a certain age can remember a childhood and adolescence spent ensconced in front of the TV, watching our favourite shows. We only had four (disregarding sky/cable) channels to choose from up until the advent of digital television.

However, lack of quantity was certainly redeemed by the standard of most of the programmes. Even BBC and commercial radio stations (some of which often got you through a rough day at school/work) were of the highest calibre.

Sciptwriters, actors, directors, entertainers, DJs, presenters… most were fantastic and worth their salt. Some of the programmes would often result in rib-achingly bouts of laughter and even saw people mimicking the actions and words themselves whilst in general conversation with others.

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be the same euphoric feeling surrounding television, radio, and even cinema in 2025. Is Ofcom (the governing regulator) imposing such strict regulations upon broadcasters now that they actually fear a fine more than losing viewers/listeners?

Everyone remembers Mary Whitehouse, who relentlessly campaigned for better moralistic standards on television. But even her prudishness pales in significance to Ofcom, which has become somewhat authoritarian in its mission to rid the entertainment sector of radical (funny) programming.

With Netflix, Amazon, and dozens more subscription package services now dominating the entertainment industry, is it time for the BBC and other broadcasters to shut up shop?

Even cinematic audiences are in mass decline, and many accuse Hollywood of being more interested in pushing a message of virtue-signalling rather than producing really good movies that people want to watch again-and-again.

So join us for the usual debate/discussion. All’s we ask is that you respect the opinions of others and please refrain from using abusive language.

The event is free under the priviso that everyone buys at least one drink (non-alcoholic served) from the bar downstairs.

Look forward to debating with everyone.

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Direct Democracy: Is it time for the UK to change our voting system?
2025-07-05 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
This month, we are fortunate to have Neil Petrie lead the discussion on the topic of Direct Democracy.

Direct Democracy has been used in Switzerland since the federation was established in 1848. It literally allows citizens to influence policies that directly involve their communities.

Important government legislation can be outsourced to the wider electorate, using a series of referendums. This ultimately means that voters can decide on which acts are approved and then passed by Parliament.

To get some idea of how successful DD is, the Swiss government has a 65% approval rating. The average is less than 30%.

Neil Petrie represents a group called Direct Democracy, details at www.ddrightnow.com. Direct Democracy is advocating electoral change in the UK based on the principles of the aforementioned Swiss system.

Alongside this, Direct Democracy also supports a digital Blockchain system. Each individual voter is issued with a unique identification number (akin to Bitcoin for politics), and then every vote that is added to the block can not be neither manipulated nor deleted. There are many people now saying that the traditional paper ballots are easily rigged. Blockchain voting is said to be successful in preventing fraud at this level.

Direct Democracy has several members who have lived in Switzerland for several years themselves, and therefore, they have become advocates of political change in the UK, hoping to promote a similar system.

The group is becoming successful as a political force and has even fielded several candidates at the local elections in May, with growing enthusiasm.

So join us for a fact filled and free event (it will only cost the price of a drink at the bar downstairs). We are a friendly bunch and value everyone’s opinion. All’s we ask is that you also respect everyone else’s and refrain from any abusive language.

Look forward to debating/discussing this with everyone.

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Free Thinkers Social Evening
2025-08-14 19:00 - 22:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Due to requests from several members of the group, we have arranged a purely social get-together. This is just for general conversation or debate if anyone wants to (no speakers, no slides). So just bring yourselves along and be prepared to buy a drink or two.

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Is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion actually beneficial?
2025-08-30 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
A number of companies – led by US giants such as Google and Amazon, but closely followed by UK businesses like BT, are rolling back DEI initiatives, and a number of parties now have manifesto commitments to scrap DEI posts, particularly in our public services. If you find DEI/EDI to be problematic, will these initiatives rid the UK of this ideology? Would this be progressive, or perhaps regressive?

Hilary Salt will discuss the need to look beyond the “diversity industry” if we want to understand why these initiatives have taken hold in the UK and why it’s simplistic to think that sacking DEI officers alone will make a difference.

The Public Sector Equality Duty, the Companies Act, The Equality Act and Gender Pay Gap requirements all contain provisions that push this agenda. According to Hilary, we need to unpick these requirements to get a better understanding of how to tackle the “DEI industrial complex.” She will look at these requirements using some everyday examples and offer real-world solutions.

Hilary Salt is an actuary and business leader. She was a founding partner of First Actuarial plc where she advised employers, pension scheme trustees and trade unions. She is also a public speaker and has spoken at many local and national events and conferences.

So join us for another interesting discussion/debate where all opinions are welcome, and we only ask that you respect the opinions of others.

This event is free of charge under the priviso that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic beverages are included).

Look forward to debating with everyone.

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Is it time to have an ADULT conversation about The Internet?
2025-09-13 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Twenty years ago, parents warned their children to never give out their personal details on the Internet. Today, our government tells us we must give out our personal details to keep children safe. And people face very real consequences for revealing who they are on the Internet. What changed? Is free speech possible when our names and IDs follow us everywhere? And how do we actually keep our children safe?

So join us for a lively debate once again. All opinions are welcome, but as always, please respect everyone else’s opinions and refrain from any abusive language.

The event is free, but we would appreciate everyone purchasing at least one drink from the bar downstairs. Soft drinks are also available.

Look forward to debating with everyone.

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Is Democracy likely to survive?
2025-10-11 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
This month, we will be joined by Gordon Dabinett, who is a promoter of local steering group politics. This group has been growing in success in Sheffield recently, advocating better public transport and infrastructure for local people.

We will discuss the increasing centralisation and technocratic mission creep of our supposed democratic society.

This month’s format will be slightly different, in that we want a larger audience participation. I’m encouraging people to think up questions beforehand and then to put myself and Gordon on the spot in a quickfire round. Hopefully, we will be able to answer these questions. If we can’t, then our ‘facts’ will have been disputed successfully.

As always, this is a free event. We only ask that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic beverages available). We’re also a friendly group that discourages offensive language and respects everyone’s opinions.

Look forward to debating with you all.

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What is Consciousness?
2025-11-22 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Few things define human experience quite like consciousness, and yet it remains one of life’s great mysteries. Where does it come from? How did it evolve? Is it unique to humans — or even real at all? Philosophers and scientists have debated these questions for centuries, and while we’ve gained insights, definitive answers remain elusive. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, new questions are only multiplying.

Consciousness shapes our moral intuitions and forces us to question the nature of reality itself. In this talk, Robin Carling will guide us through the mainstream theories — with a glimpse of the fringe — before opening the floor to debate one of today’s most pressing issues: could AI ever be conscious?

So join us for an interesting debate/talk. Once again, can I ask that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic included) as this event is free. As always, please be cordial and allow everyone to have an opinion.

Look forward to debating with everyone.

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Free Thinkers Christmas Party
2025-12-20 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Firstly, can I thank everyone for making this group the success that it’s become. The group couldn’t possibly have achieved this without the input and participation of all our members.

December’s here, so as we’ve done in years’ past, we have our xmas get-together. Please come along for a glass of wine on us. Everyone can bring food if required, and xmas jumpers, hats, and other accessories are welcome (if you want to).

There will be no topic of discussion this month. The usual format will commence in 2026.

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How Demographic Change is Reshaping Our Future
2026-01-17 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
This month, Matthew Stanford has kindly agreed to lead the discussion on the topic of demographic changes reshaping our futures.

For the first time in human history, more than half the world’s countries have birth rates below replacement level. Ageing populations will affect pensions, healthcare systems, the economy, and even the existence of entire nations.

Meanwhile, some regions of the world, such as Africa, are booming with young, expanding populations. This demographic divide will reshape the world as we know it. Ageing superpowers will be challenged by youthful nations with new economic and military strength.

In this talk, we will discuss why birth rates are falling, how they affect our future, and if technology or migration can fill the gap. Expect insights, discussion, and a few surprises about the world’s demographic future.

So join us for the first debate/discussion of 2026. Once again, all opinions are welcome, and we only ask that you respect everyone else’s opinions whilst using decorum where necessary.

This event is free under the priviso that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar (non-alcoholic beverages also served).

Look forward to debating with everyone.

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Does Intuition Influence Our Conscious State?
2026-02-28 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
This month’s debate/discussion will be hosted by Julie Tasker.

Do you appreciate your own intuitive abilities?How might you develop your intuition to improve your life experiences?

Intuition is the ability to understand or know something instinctively, without conscious reasoning or needing an explanation. What does that mean in everyday life?

Often, intuition is called a “gut feeling”. Most people will know they’ve experienced a “gut feeling” at some time in their life – perhaps you have felt that something was wrong but didn’t know what; and then you heard of something adverse that’s just happened, or someone rings or contacts you in some way that confirms your earlier feelings. These intuitive feelings could also be something positive, though this isn’t generally talked about as often in our society.

Unfortunately, life tends to have closed down your intuition, such as through much of our education system and other life approaches. Thus, the potential considerable benefits of developing your intuition tend not to usually be emphasised in our daily lives.

Yet we can all develop our natural intuitions which is where we are aiming in the presentation which will include some tools to develop intuitions, and also discussion to share people’s previous experiences and during / after the different intuitive exercises.

Please attend with an open mind, and share your thoughts respectfully knowing that everyone has had different experiences and may have different beliefs.

As usual, this event is free of charge, and it will only cost you the price of a drink from the venue (non-alcoholic beverages are available).

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A Healthier Lifestyle or UPFs? An update on the latest nutrition developments
2026-03-28 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
Recently, RFK Junior has caused a raucous by turning the food pyramid upside down.

The American Health Department is looking likely to abandon 40 years of research, which has promoted a high carb diet that is rich in seed oils and other nefarious ingredients.

It now seems they will revert to promoting a diet rich in tallow fats and dairy. Are the days of Ultra Processed Foods numbered?

This is a follow-up to our discussion early last year, based on new developments.

So join us for an interesting debate/discussion. All’s we ask is that you respect everyone’s opinions and refrain from using offensive language.

This event is free and will only cost the price of a drink from the bar (non-alcoholic beverages are available).

Look forward to debating with everyone.

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Beauty - Is this the aim of Art or an outdated Idea?
2026-04-25 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
This month’s debate/discussion will be hosted by Jo Herlihy.

Think of a piece of art – a painting, a piece of music, or maybe a building – that you love. Would you say that it was beautiful? And if yes, what makes it so?

The introduction for this meeting will offer an overview of the history of beauty in art – how it has been understood, defined, and redefined by key thinkers over time. This should help us think about whether the idea of Beauty is relevant today – for what is produced and valued.

The idea of beauty in art has been, and continues to be, debated. The question is far from settled and has implications for how we think about art (whether as an artist or as a viewer) and for the institutions teaching about it and for those who look after artistic creations.

So join us for another fact-filled, lively discussion/debate. As always, we only ask that you respect everyone’s opinions and be cordial. This event is always free of charge and will only cost you the price of a drink from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic available).

Before the April MeetUp, we’d love to hear your views on Art and Beauty through a short 2-minute survey. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts, and hopefully, we’ll see you on April 25th.

Art and Beauty – https://forms.office.com/r/aqADcfREQq

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Religion and spirituality in the modern world: Is God still relevant?
2026-05-23 13:00 - 15:00 | The Hop Merchant, Nottingham, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AG, United Kingdom
We literally have over 2,000 different religions being practised all over the world today. However, particularly in western society, the largest growing demographic is those who have rejected any kind of faith or spiritual practise. They prefer a life of secularism, and even atheism.

Religion has been practised (mostly polytheism) since around 10,000 years ago, when the very first communities began to form. Every culture in existense has performed various rituals and practises, in order to honour a higher power.

In the UK today less than 6% of the population attend regular church services. We have also become multitheistic, witnessing other faiths besides Christianity becoming more widespread.

What is the future of faith in our society? Why has the spread of atheism become so prominent?

I have also set a multiple choice question for everyone to answer if they could please. This will give us some kind of an idea as to the make-up of our members who are attending this event.

Looking forward to debating with everyone. As always, we are a friendly group that encourages free speech and we also respect all opinions, within reason. This event is free of charge and all that we ask is that you honour our friends in the pub by buying at least one beverage from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic alternatives are available).

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Education in the 2020s: How we learn in the age of A.I.
2026-06-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Forest Recreational Ground Cafe, The Homemade Cafe, Nottingham, NG7 6QH, United Kingdom
As a change to our usual schedule, we will be doing el fresco meetups throughout the summer months, before resuming our usual pub meetups in the autumn.

This month’s theme has been suggested by Julie Tasker, who has worked in the education sector, and is becoming increasingly concerned about the way in which children are being taught.

Do we need to concentrate on more practical subjects for certain students? Is university necessarily the go-to option for 50% of the population?

Is it time that the National Cirriculum and the entire examination system was revamped? Why are there so many S.E.N.D. schools now?

Is Artificial Intelligence actually the answer? Will traditional learning techniques eventually be superseded by technology?

Join us for a relaxed debate, and also a nice drink and snack on a summer’s day in the open air (weather permitting, we do have a backup plan just in case).

As always, we encourage all opinions and respect everyone’s views. Please refrain from any offensive terminology though.

America at 250. Is the Dream of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Over?
2026-07-04 13:00 - 15:00
The United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday on this very day. This is the day that the Declaration of Independence was drafted by the founding fathers in 1776.

Even the biggest critic has to agree that America has had an extraordinary two and a half centuries. Progressing from a backwater, primarily agricultural outpost of the British Empire, to an industrial and military giant.

The nation’s leaders have sold the notion of ‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ to millions of immigrants who have flocked there from places as far afield as Ireland and Russia throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The great 1849 gold rush saw a vast expansion westwards and many Native Americans lost their lands and their culture during the relentless profiteering of this era.

America twice came to Europe’s aid during both World Wars. Uncle Sam then became Europe’s protector during the Cold War.

Since then the nation has become the world’s principal economic and military superpower. It has dominated the global geopolitical scene being the principal funder of the World Bank, the UN, NATO and many other NGOs.

American popular culture has also been dominant through the media of music, films and television. Then we have the F.A.N.G.S. which have hegemony of the internet, all listed on NASDAQ and developed from start-ups in Silicon Valley

However, recently the American Dream and the perception of ‘Land of the Free’ has sunk to new depths of despair. The re-election of Donald J. Trump as president, as well as the increasing multipolar political sabre-rattling has seen America lose a lot of respect.

This month we will debate this issue. So please join us and all’s we ask is that you are respectful of other people’s views, whilst refraining from abusive language.

Location TBC

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