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The Reith Lectures

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Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

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The Reith Lectures: Jonathan Sumption - Law and the Decline of Politics: Rights and the Ideal Constitution

2019: Jonathan Sumption

Rights and the Ideal Constitution

Jonathan Sumption - Law and the Decline of Politics

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Jonathan Sumption - Law and the Decline of Politics, Rights and the Ideal Constitution

Jonathan Sumption assess the pros and cons of written and unwritten constitutions.

Jonathan Sumption assess the pros and cons of written and unwritten constitutions, comparing the US and UK.

Jonathan Sumption assesses the US and UK’s constitutional models. He describes Britain's unwritten constitution as a political institution. The US Constitution is by contrast essentially a legal document.  This has led Americans to address what should be political questions – such as the right to abortion – via the courts, rather than through politics. Britain, Lord Sumption argues, should learn from the United States be careful about which rights should be put beyond democratic choice. 

The programme is recorded in front of an audience at George Washington University in Washington DC.   

The Reith Lectures are presented and chaired by Anita Anand and produced by Jim Frank.  
Editor: Hugh Levinson

The Reith Lectures: Jonathan Sumption - Law and the Decline of Politics

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Jonathan Sumption argues that the law is taking over the space once occupied by politics.

Jonathan Sumption argues that a decline in the willingness of politics to engage with divisive subjects has been accompanied by an unwelcome rise in the power of the courts.

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