Tom Shakespeare argues the House of Lords should be completely reformed and cut to 300 members (instead of over 800): 100 politicians, 100 experts and 100 members of the public. Show more

Tom Shakespeare argues that the country needs a new national anthem, one that reflects the diversity and values of the whole of the United Kingdom and is in tune with the times. Show more

Sarah Dunant on why Niccolo Machiavelli, diplomat and adviser, wrote his seminal work 'The Prince' 500 years ago this summer at his family's country estate in Tuscany. Show more

Republican or royalist, we all need something or someone in which to invest our loyalty. Will Self reflects on what really lies behind our sense of patriotism. Show more

Will Self reflects on what the changing nature of utopias says about us, from Thomas More's 16th-century Utopia to the recent TV series of the same name. Show more

Philosopher Roger Scruton reflects on original art that is sincere and truthful, but hard to achieve, as opposed to the easier but fake art that appeals to many critics today. Show more

Roger Scruton argues that the fear of producing kitsch art has led to a new kind of pre-emptive kitsch. Show more

Roger Scruton asks what makes for real art, as opposed to cliche or kitsch. Real art, he says, needs beauty, form and redemption. Show more

John Gray argues that the Sunni extremist group Isis (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) is actually a revolutionary force, not a reactionary one. Show more

John Gray argues that believing in the power of human reason to improve humankind is more 'childish' than believing in religion. Show more

Roger Scruton argues that democracy alone is not enough for political freedom. Democracy, freedom and human rights do not necessarily coincide. Show more