Fiscal threats in a changing global financial system

Contributor(s): Dr C Raja Mohan | America’s longstanding role as the guarantor of security in Europe and Asia is now under question at home. In this lecture, one of India’s leading strategic thinkers and commentators examines the roots of Donald Trump’s America First agenda and assesses its implications for the future of stability on the Eurasian landmass and its surrounding waters.

Contributor(s): Professor Christopher Freiman | urious about how free markets and social justice intersect? Join us for an engaging lecture by Christopher Freiman, author of the book Unequivocal Justice. Freiman offers a rethinking of the political theory of John Rawls and challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding liberal egalitarianism and free-market regimes. Freiman’s work highlights the importance of non-ideal theory, focusing on the real-world applications of political principles rather than abstract ideals. He argues that traditional Rawlsian liberalism does not consistently apply its idealising assumptions across its theory. By examining political liberty, economic sufficiency, fair opportunity, and social equality under realistic conditions, Freiman provides a fresh perspective on achieving justice in an imperfect world. This lecture is essential for anyone interested in the practical implications of political theory and the pursuit of social justice.

Contributor(s): Professor Cosmina Dorobantu, Marion Dumas, Professor Helen Margetts | AI is about people – the most sophisticated AI models are trained on trillions of tokens that capture human communication, behaviours, and interactions. And AI advancement affects people – it is changing our economies and societies, our interactions, our institutions, our ways of living and learning. Join us as our panel discuss how their work at the intersection of AI and the social sciences can help to ensure AI advancement serves the greater good. Exploring the how social science insights can shape AI innovation; the importance of research into the most consequential impacts of AI on our economies and societies; and how AI tools and methodologies can transform social science investigation. This event rounds up a year-long focus on AI, technology and society. You can browse our dedicated hub showcasing LSE research and commentary at AI at LSE.

Contributor(s): Gerison Lansdown, Dr Kim R. Sylwander, Gastón Wright | In 2021, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child introduced General Comment No. 25 on children’s rights in the digital environment, marking a milestone in aligning child rights with the digital age. But what real impact has it had? Join our discussion of new in-depth research findings by the Digital Futures for Children centre, which tracked the recognition, uptake, and implementation of children’s rights in an increasingly connected world. Drawing from UN treaty monitoring, national policies, regional frameworks, and civil society advocacy, the panel will consider how international law influences policy and practice, recognising progress, obstacles, and pathways for change.

Contributor(s): Professor Ronald Krebs, Katharine M Millar, Dr Luca Tardelli, Dr Boram Lee | In January 2025, Donald Trump returned to the White House. The ensuing months have been a dizzying blur for American foreign and security policy. Unprecedented U.S. import tariffs have been threatened, reversed, and imposed. Allies have been lectured and harangued, while adversaries have been warmly welcomed. Trump dressed down Ukraine’s president, embraced Russia’s, and then did a U-turn. He stood by Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, backed its escalation against Hizballah in Lebanon, and joined in bombing Iran, but then pressured Israel into a peace deal. His administration, which seemed to see China as a rival to American dominance, cultivated allies in the Pacific and launched a trade war, but has also signalled a pullback from East Asia and a renewed focus on the Western hemisphere. Amidst the turmoil of the Trump administration, is there an emerging logic to US foreign and security policy? Is a Trump doctrine taking shape?