‘After Nations: Belonging’, delivered by Rana Dasgupta. 

We face a crisis of belonging. Nations that once provided a meaningful sense of home are now failing to do so. Into the void pour sectarianism, mistrust and hatred – which only exacerbate the sense of anomie.
How do we break this cycle? In this lecture, Rana Dasgupta returns to the work of the great philosopher Ibn Rushd, or Averroes (1126-98) in order to find a different principle for modern life, society and politics. He shows how ideas developed in medieval Andalus can help us heal the era of fake news and weaponised knowledge.

Until recently, the system of nation states appeared settled and eternal. Not anymore. As American hegenomy unwinds and Western countries slide into anxiety and debt, there is a resurgence of tyranny, imperialism and war. It is no longer clear that states can continue delivering ‘normal’ services, let alone defeat inequality and climate change. What can be done to restore a sense of belonging to us all?

The 2026 Ibn Rushd Annual lecture will be delivered by Rana Dasgupta, author of acclaimed new book After Nations: The Making and Unmaking of a New World Order.