Two guest speakers are invited to turn their established views on their head and debate the contrary position.

The motion is: "Terrorism can only truly be defeated by ignoring it in our everyday lives."

The debate will explore the strategies and ideologies behind the war on terror: is it real or a construct made by governments, and if so for what gains?

Speaking in favour of the motion is former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, who spent almost six years in the Ministry of Defence during Tony Blair's time as Prime Minister and was responsible for much of the government's response to terrorism threats after 9/11.

Speaking against the motion is Jamie Bartlett from the think tank DEMOS, who in the past have argued that the state have overreacted to terrorism.

Richard Hollingham presents.

The programme is recorded in front of an invited audience at Judge Business School in Cambridge.

Producers: David Prest and Rose de Larrabeiti
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4. Show less