Intelligence Squared

The Sunday Debate: The Left has right on its side

May 22, 2022

Join George Monbiot, a Guardian columnist and activist, conservative philosopher Roger Scruton, Labour MP Stella Creasy, and MP Kwasi Kwarteng in a vibrant debate on the ideological clash between left and right. They tackle the hypocrisy often found in leftist claims of virtue and discuss the historical struggles of the left against wealth concentration. The conversation also dives into critiques of modern leftist thought, the implications of wealth inequality, and the necessity for political accountability and compassion in a divided society.

01:05:41

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Episode notes

Intro

5min

Challenges and Aspirations of the Left

25min

Embracing Equality: A Left-Wing Perspective

5min

Critique of Contemporary Leftist Thought

8min

Audience Engagement on Political Accountability and Compassion

2min

Navigating Political Ideologies

4min

Debating Anti-Semitism and the True Nature of Politics

5min

Wealth Inequality: Challenges and Solutions

11min

The political Left often purports that it has society’s best interests at heart and that it works for the good of all. Yet according to conservatives, it is precisely that self-regard, that attempt to monopolise virtue, which exposes the hypocrisy of left-wing ideology. In this archive debate from 2018, we gathered Labour MP Stella Creasy, environmental campaigner, journalist and author, George Monbiot, Conservative MP Kwasi Kwarteng, and the leading philosopher of conservative thought, the late Roger Scruton, who sadly passed away in 2020, to discuss the issue of right vs left. Our host for the discussion was the journalist, broadcaster, visiting lecturer and Professor in the Humanities Council at Princeton University, Razia Iqbal.

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