BBC Radio 4 LW

Could An Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?

Could an Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?: Episode 5: Leading questions

Could an Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?

Episode 5: Leading questions

BBC Radio 4 - Could an Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?, Episode 5: Leading questions

Jon Harvey explores ancient and modern political leaders. How well do our ones stack up?

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores leadership. Is it a paradox that democracy needs good leaders? Compared to ancient Athens, how well do our leaders stack up?

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. But if an Athenian democrat time-travelled to 2019, what would he make of what's going on in Britain? Could he fix the chaos? 

In this final episode, Jon explores leadership. Is it a paradox that democracy needs good leaders? Compared to ancient Athens, how well do our leaders stack up?

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

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

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

Factual

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.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Could an Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?

Episode 5: Leading questions

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4