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Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad, presented by distinguished writers, journalists and academics.

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Analysis: The uses and misuses of history in politics

11/11/2019

The uses and misuses of history in politics

BBC Radio 4 - Analysis, The uses and misuses of history in politics

How well do our politicians understand British history?

Some politicians often use historical analogies to help explain contemporary events. But might they have misunderstood some of British history's most famous moments?

Barely a day passes when an MP doesn’t reach for an historical analogy to help explain contemporary events.  But to what extent do the Battle of Agincourt and World War II really help us better understand what’s happening now?  Edward Stourton asks if there is a danger that some politicians might have misunderstood some of the best known moments in Britain’s history?  

Guests: 
Professor David Abulafia (Emeritus, University of Cambridge)
Professor Anne Curry (Emeritus, University of Southampton)
Professor Neil Gregor (University of Southampton)
Professor Ruth Harris (University of Oxford)
Professor Andrew Knapp (Emeritus, University of Reading)
Professor Andrew Roberts (Visiting, King’s College London)
Professor Robert Tombs (University of Cambridge)


Producer: Ben Cooper
Editor: Jasper Corbett

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