Book Launch & Talk: Liberation and Corruption – Why Freedom Movements Fail

Why are liberation and independence movements so often betrayed once their leaders attain power? Why do ideals forged in struggle - justice, freedom, equality - so frequently give way to authoritarianism, misrule, and corruption? These are the urgent questions at the heart of Liberation and Corruption – Why Freedom Movements Fail, the compelling new book by Peter Hain, and the focus of this timely event.

With over five decades of experience bridging activism and governance, Peter Hain draws on his unique perspective as a former anti-apartheid campaigner, UK Labour MP, cabinet minister, and current member of the House of Lords. In this talk, he will examine the complex journey from political resistance to state power, exploring why so many movements, once in government, struggle to uphold the values that brought them to prominence.

Hain’s book offers a global analysis - from Africa and Latin America to Russia, the Caribbean, China, and India - of how structural pressures, entrenched elites, and the seductions of power can erode movements grounded in freedom and justice. Combining rigorous political insight with historical evidence and personal reflection, he interrogates the fragile relationship between liberation and governance.

This event will feature a short introduction by the author, followed by a Q&A session and book signing. It provides a valuable opportunity for scholars, students, and engaged members of the public to reflect on the dilemmas of post-liberation statecraft, the ethics of leadership, and the persistent gap between revolutionary ideals and political realities.

is published by Policy Press. Copies will be available to purchase after the event, and Peter Hain will be signing books on site.

Lord Peter Hain served as MP for Neath (1991-2015) and held senior roles in the UK Labour Government for 12 years, including seven in the Cabinet. A key negotiator of the 2007 Northern Ireland settlement, he also served as Foreign Minister for Africa, the Middle East and Europe, chaired the UN Security Council and brokered international treaties.

He is the author of 27 books, including Back to the Future of Socialism (2015), Mandela: His Essential Life (2018), and the memoir A Pretoria Boy (2021).

Born to South African parents exiled for their anti-apartheid activism, Hain led campaigns against apartheid in his teens, surviving a letter bomb and an attempt to frame him for a bank robbery. Married with two sons and seven grandchildren, he remains a passionate advocate for justice and equality.

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