Melissa Lane

In this engaging discussion, Bruce Caldwell, an expert on Friedrich Hayek, alongside Ben Jackson and Melissa Lane, dive into Hayek's influential work, The Road to Serfdom. They explore Hayek's warnings against centralized economic planning and its potential to lead to tyranny. The trio highlights how a 1945 Reader's Digest condensation reshaped public perception, turning Hayek's cautionary tale against socialism into a global phenomenon. They also contrast spontaneous order with state control, emphasizing the vital role of individual knowledge in economic systems.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Solon, who was elected archon or chief magistrate of Athens in 594 BC: some see him as the father of Athenian democracy. In the first years of the 6th century BC, the city state of Athens was in crisis. The lower orders of society were ravaged by debt, to the point where some were being forced into slavery. An oppressive law code mandated the death penalty for everything from murder to petty theft. There was a real danger that the city could fall into either tyranny or civil war.Solon instituted a programme of reforms that transformed Athens’ political and legal systems, its society and economy, so that later generations referred to him as Solon the Lawgiver. WithMelissa Lane Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton UniversityHans van Wees Grote Professor of Ancient History at University College Londonand William Allan Professor of Greek and McConnell Laing Tutorial Fellow in Greek and Latin Languages and Literature at University College, University of Oxford Producer Luke Mulhall

Melissa Lane, a Professor of Politics at Princeton, delves into the nuances of Plato's Republic and the misconception of philosopher kings as totalitarian. She discusses how Plato emphasizes structured governance to protect the public good. The conversation explores the role of guardians in political systems, their ethical responsibilities, and the importance of education and self-discipline. Lane connects ancient political thought to modern challenges, highlighting the timeless relevance of Plato's insights on power, accountability, and the potential for corruption.

In this insightful discussion, Bruce Caldwell, a leading expert on Friedrich Hayek, Ben Jackson, a modern history professor, and Melissa Lane, a political philosophy specialist, unpack Hayek's influential work, The Road to Serfdom. They delve into Hayek's warnings against centralized economic planning and the potential shift towards tyranny. The trio debate the significance of dispersed knowledge in market systems, contrasting it with the inefficiencies of state control. Their exploration highlights the enduring relevance of Hayek's ideas in today's political discourse.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas developed by Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43BC) to support and reinvigorate the Roman Republic when, as it transpired, it was in its final years, threatened by civil wars, the rule of Julius Caesar and the triumvirates that followed. As Consul he had suppressed a revolt by Catiline, putting the conspirators to death summarily as he believed the Republic was in danger and that this danger trumped the right to a fair trial, a decision that rebounded on him. While in exile he began works on duty, laws, the orator and the republic. Although left out of the conspiracy to kill Caesar, he later defended that murder in the interests of the Republic, only to be murdered himself soon after.With Melissa Lane The Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton University and 2018 Carlyle Lecturer at the University of OxfordCatherine Steel Professor of Classics at the University of GlasgowAndValentina Arena Reader in Roman History at University College LondonProducer: Simon Tillotson.