University of Manchester British Academy Lecture 2026: Professor Stefano Bartolini

The University of Manchester hosts Professor Stefano Bartolini for a British Academy Lecture exploring the origins of Western political institutions and their continuing significance. Professor Bartolini, an Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute, presents a historical and comparative account of how political authority developed in the West, with contributions from Professors Dimitris Papadimitrou and Olga Onuch in conversation.

The lecture examines how law, religion and political power interacted over centuries to shape Western societies, and why the resulting institutional landscape became so plural and diverse. It is designed for anyone interested in politics, history, democracy and political theory, offering a clear route into big questions about how institutions are formed, why they matter, and whether political models developed in Europe can be applied elsewhere.