In Praise of Politics

The Reith Lectures

BBC

Society & Culture, Science, Government, Technology

4.2 • 770 Ratings

🗓️ 28 May 2019

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jonathan Sumption explains how democratic processes have the power to accommodate opposition opinions and interests. But he argues that in recent years that politics has shied away from legislating and now the courts have taken on more and more of the role of making law. Lord Sumption was until recently a justice of the UK’s Supreme Court and is a distinguished historian. This lecture is recorded in front of an audience at Birmingham University.

The Reith Lectures are presented and chaired by Anita Anand and produced by Jim Frank. Editor: Hugh Levinson

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're about to listen to a BBC podcast, but this is about something else you might enjoy.
0:05.4	My name's Katie Lecky and I'm an assistant commissioner for on demand music on BBC Sounds.
0:10.8	The BBC has an incredible musical heritage and culture and as a music lover, I love being part of that.
0:17.5	With music on sounds, we offer collections and mixes for everything, from workouts to
0:22.4	helping you nod off, boogie in your kitchen, or even just a moment of calm. And they're all put
0:28.3	together by people who know their stuff. So if you want some expertly curated music in your life,
0:35.0	check out BBC Sounds.
0:41.2	BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts.
0:48.7	Welcome to the 2019 BBC Reith Lectures with the former Supreme Court Justice Jonathan Sumpion.
0:53.3	In his series, he's exploring the complex relationship between politics and the law.
0:59.5	In this second podcast, Jonathan Sumpchin asks how the law and politics try to restrain the power of majorities in democracies.
1:06.9	Welcome to the second of the 2019 BBC Reith Lectures with the former Supreme Court judge
1:13.2	Jonathan Sumpion. We're in England's second city at the University of Birmingham's Bramall
1:18.2	Music Hall, a beautiful modern addition to this famous old red brick campus. Our speaker this year
1:24.8	began his series by raising concerns about the law's growing influence over public life.
1:30.4	He suggested that this expansion may not be good for democratic life.
1:35.6	Now he develops this idea further, turning his attention to some fundamental issues which underpin democracy.
1:43.0	How the state acquires and builds legitimacy,
1:45.9	and, mindful of recent events, how democracy accommodates difference, difference of opinion and
1:52.7	experience. This, he believes, is the job of politicians, not of judges. Will you please
2:00.0	welcome the 2019 BBC lecturer,
2:02.3	Jonathan Sumpion.
	...

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