Free Thinking

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

The ideas shaping our lives today - with artists and thinkers in debates and interviews.

The ideas shaping our lives today - with leading artists and thinkers in extended interview and debate.

Free Thinking: Conservatism, Philanthropy, Liberal and socialist futures

Conservatism, Philanthropy

Conservatism, Philanthropy, Liberal and socialist futures

BBC Radio 4 - Free Thinking, Conservatism, Philanthropy, Liberal and socialist futures

Anne McElvoy talks to Edmund Fawcett about conflicts within Conservatism.

Edmund Fawcett discusses historic and contemporary conflicts in the Conservative tradition, and Paul Vallely on philanthropy from the ancient world to the modern day.

Anne McElvoy surveys current thinking on big political ideas and ideology. 

Edmund Fawcett's latest book focuses on the historic and contemporary conflicts in Conservatism. He describes how the constant tensions within the Conservative political thought have been exposed and what it might mean for the continuation of the tradition. 

Paul Vallely argues that philanthropy is about more than mere altruism.  It is always an expression of power, regardless of any desire to make the world a better place.       
He discusses the contradictions at the heart of philanthropy from the Greeks to modern philanthrocapitalists - and how philanthropy might still do good.

Ian Dunt and Grace Blakeley have written about the challenges facing Liberals and Socialists respectively. They discuss how these big intellectual traditions might survive contact with the current moment.



Conservatism: The Fight for a Tradition by Edmund Fawcett is published by Princeton University Press 

Philanthropy: From Aristotle to Zuckerberg by Paul Vallely is published by Bloomsbury

How to be a Liberal: Thinking for Yourself in a Populist World by Ian Dunt is published by Canbury Press 

Socialist Futures: The Pandemic and the Post-Corbyn Era edited by Grace Blakeley is published by Verso

The Corona Crash: How the Pandemic Will Change Capitalism by Grace Blakeley is published by Verso


Producer: Ruth Watts

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Free Thinking

Conservatism, Philanthropy, Liberal and socialist futures

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