BBC Radio 4 LW

Could An Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?

Could an Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?: Episode 3: How much is too much?

Could an Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?

Episode 3: How much is too much?

BBC Radio 4 - Could an Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?, Episode 3: How much is too much?

What did classical Athenians vote on? Or rather, what didn’t they? Jon Harvey investigates

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey travels back in time to discover what kind of issue classical Athenians voted on, how they did it, and why they loved a referendum.

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

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Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey, who challenged Theresa May in the 2017 general election as Lord Buckethead, explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens.

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Could an Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?

Episode 3: How much is too much?

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