Intelligence Squared Mary Beard And Rory Stewart On Power And Politics, Part Two
Nov 20, 2023
Mary Beard, a renowned Classics Professor at Cambridge, delves into ancient power dynamics, particularly the roles of women in Roman politics, while Rory Stewart, a former diplomat and MP, shares insights from his tumultuous political career. They tackle the erosion of political integrity over time and discuss the amateurism prevalent in British governance. The conversation also highlights the contrast between historical leadership traits and today's sensationalism, revealing how ancient gender dynamics resonate with modern political narratives.
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Superficial Politics
- Rory Stewart describes Liz Truss's superficial approach to environmental policy as Environment Secretary.
- She prioritized headlines over genuine engagement, illustrating a decline in political substance.
The Double-Edged Sword of Nostalgia
- Mary Beard acknowledges the potential for historical nostalgia to obscure the past's flaws.
- However, she argues that it also serves as a valuable reminder of alternative approaches and motivates improvement.
Posthumous Reputations
- Mary Beard challenges the traditional good-bad dichotomy of Roman emperors. She emphasizes that reputations were often posthumously constructed.
- Assassinated emperors, regardless of their true nature, were frequently vilified to justify the successor's rise.
