Books
Braver New World
The Countries Daring to Do Things Others Won’t
At a time when democracies seem paralysed by fear and populations are turning inward, award-winning journalist John Kampfner travels to ten countries confronting our shared challenges with bravery and imagination.
In Japan, he discovers intergenerational care homes ensuring dignity in later life – while Britain ducks the social care question. He visits Vienna's century-old housing projects where 60% of residents live in subsidised accommodation without stigma and communities thrive. Taiwan's health system achieves 90% patient satisfaction at a fraction of the cost of the NHS. From Moroccan solar panels in the Sahara producing enough clean energy to power two million homes to Finnish classrooms preparing children for an uncertain world that Britain's teaching-to-the-test system cannot match –Kampfner introduces us to the people making radical change happen.
These aren't utopias. But what unites them is a refusal to accept that difficult problems are unsolvable. The countries showing true innovation are often those with their backs against the wall - not wealthy nations assuming they have all the answers.
Braver New World is an urgent reminder that solutions exist. The question is whether we have the courage to learn.
Coming April 2026
Braver New World is a groundbreaking exploration of the countries solving critical universal issues – and what we can learn from them.
‘Liberal democracy is in crisis, and John Kampfner, one of our foremost public intellectuals, has once again forced us to think profoundly about what to do about it... This is solutions-based authorship at its best.’
Andrew Roberts
‘At a time when politics and government feel so broken in so many parts of the world, this is a dose of optimism amid the gloom; stunning examples of people and places where courage has led to real change for the better.’
Alastair Campbell
‘Economic stagnation and social fracturing are not the irreversible fate of developed economies like the UK. John Kampfner has searched for answers by scouring the world for what works, from Taiwan to Finland to Costa Rica. Read this book as an antidote to fatalism and gloom.’
Robert Peston
‘When too many despair at our ability to solve our biggest problems, Braver New World arrives to show us what governments - and people - can achieve. Ranging from the snows of Finland to the goat farms of southern India, it is closely reported, surprising and, above all, hopeful. I hope every maker of policy - and decisions - reads it.’
Jonathan Freedland, bestselling author of 'The Escape Artist'
‘A Kampfner toolkit with smart thinking for our troubled times. This is a how-to book with inspired answers to our urgent questions from Karnataka to Costa Rica to Canada.’
Lyse Doucet, BBC International Editor and author of 'The Finest Hotel in Kabul'
‘Fascinating... The big question of our time is whether mainstream politics can work. John Kampfner believes it can, and shows us many ways that it does.’
Daniel Finkelstein, bestselling author of 'Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad'
‘Braver New World offers a compelling and compassionate account of practical solutions from around the world... and challenges readers to start learning from those bold enough to act.’
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
‘A persuasive and imaginative argument against the gloom of our times.’
Bronwen Maddox, Director and CEO, Chatham House
‘By exploring how other countries are tackling seemingly insoluble problems, John Kampfner has provided an alternative to the politics of manufactured outrage. A thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful read, full of real ideas that could make Britain a better place.’
Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor Channel 4 News, and author of 'I Brought The War With Me'
‘John Kampfner is a professional pessimist who has conquered his inner demons to find inspiring stories from all over the world that show how we really can turn things round in the UK. What's even better is that they are usually places that have faced even bigger challenges than us. A must-read for Keir Starmer and anyone hoping to take over from him.’
The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt
‘This remarkable book explores what works in the pursuit of solving the problems that lie at the heart of the public policy debate. From our ageing population to the challenges of our environment, it explains what has been done and, more importantly, how and why. A must read for anyone interested in how we tackle the problems of education, heath & social care, and homelessness.’
Catherine Ashton
‘In an era of selfish, transactional, anxious politics we are grasping for hope. This book delivers it again and again and again. Many books describe the challenge. Kampfner takes it on. The fightback for reason, policy and wisdom starts here.’
Tom Fletcher, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
‘A fascinating, encouraging read, which widens the scope for new possibilities enormously.’
Harald Jähner, international bestselling author of 'Aftermath'
‘Seminal... A rallying cry for radical, pragmatic optimism; democratic and institutional courage.’
Shashi Tharoor, author of 'Inglorious Empire'
‘Ministers and officials - read this book!’
Anthony Seldon
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