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The Reith Lectures

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

The Reith Lectures: Cyril Radcliffe - Power and the State: Makers of the American Constitution

25/11/1951

Makers of the American Constitution

Cyril Radcliffe - Power and the State

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Cyril Radcliffe - Power and the State, Makers of the American Constitution

Lord Radcliffe considers the creation of the American constitution. 

Lord Radcliffe examines the creation of the American constitution, which he considers to be one of the most important events in modern history, in his fourth Reith lecture. 

This year's Reith Lecturer is British lawyer Lord Radcliffe. He was Director-General of the Ministry of Information during the Second World War, and is most famous for his role in Partition, the division of the British Indian Empire, His work led directly to the creation of Pakistan and India as independent nations. He examines the features of democratic society, and considers the problematic notions of power and authority in his series of seven Reith Lectures entitled 'Power and the State'.
In his fourth Reith Lecture, entitled 'The Makers of the American Constitution', Lord Radcliffe considers the formation of the American Constitution, the first modern constitution which was worked out, debated and voted on clause by clause. He argues its creation was one of the most important events in modern history.

The Reith Lectures: Cyril Radcliffe - Power and the State

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The lawyer Lord Radcliffe examines the features of democratic society.

The British lawyer Lord Radcliffe examines the features of democratic society, and considers the problematic notions of power and authority in a series of seven Reith lectures.

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