Talks in which Brian Walden reflects on why people considered to be villains are allowed to play prominent roles in human affairs.
Walden argues that the west's demonisation of Saddam Hussein has only helped strengthen his position in Iraq.
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Choices: Walden on Villains 7.30pm BBC2
The idea that Saddam Hussein is a monster with a grand strategy for world domination is comprehensively dismissed in the second of Brian Walden's unscripted television talks.
His straight-to-the-point style argues that it was the West that demonised this local leader who was little more than a bandit chief. It is scathing stuff that explains how Saddam has retained power for 20 years by keeping Iraq on a war footing, often with the support of the West.
But, argues Walden, the strategy backfired since it only strengthened Saddam's position in Iraq and the Arab world. "We refused to accept complexities of the real world and understand them, and decided to impose upon events the stirring simplicities of a Hollywood action film," says Walden. It's a sobering thought to cap a stimulating talk.