Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey, explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If the one thing we can all agree on is that our state is in a state - could the world’s original democrats help us right the ship?

Democracy was born in ancient Athens and lasted for nearly 200 years. Not all Athenians were democrats - perhaps the most famously outspoken anti-democrat Socrates ended up sentenced to death, ironically by a vote of the people. Jon travels back in time to discover what kind of issue classical Athenians voted on, how they did it, and why they loved a referendum.

Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface.

Written and presented by Jon Harvey
Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore
Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4 Show less