Richard Whatmore

Richard Whatmore, a historian of ideas, joins to delve into the revolutionary fervor of Thomas Paine, whose writings inspired movements across continents. Paine viewed France as the epicenter of change, yet found his lofty hopes met with disappointment. The conversation navigates the ideological clash between republicanism and monarchy, the paradox of war for liberty, and how evolving rights often sidelined gender and minority issues. Their discussion reveals the complexities of revolutionary ideals amidst the harsh realities of governance.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Adam Smith's celebrated economic treatise The Wealth of Nations. Smith was one of Scotland's greatest thinkers, a moral philosopher and pioneer of economic theory whose 1776 masterpiece has come to define classical economics. Based on his careful consideration of the transformation wrought on the British economy by the Industrial Revolution, and how it contrasted with marketplaces elsewhere in the world, the book outlined a theory of wealth and how it is accumulated that has arguably had more influence on economic theory than any other.With:Richard Whatmore Professor of Modern History and Director of the Institute of Intellectual History at the University of St AndrewsDonald Winch Emeritus Professor of Intellectual History at the University of SussexHelen Paul Lecturer in Economics and Economic History at the University of SouthamptonProducer: Thomas Morris.

This week David talks to Richard Whatmore and Lea Ypi about what caused the loss of faith in the idea of Enlightenment at the end of the eighteenth century and the parallels with our loss of faith today. Why did hopes for a better, more rational world start to seem like wishful thinking? How was Britain implicated in the demise of Enlightenment ideals? And what might have happened if there had been no French Revolution?Richard Whatmore’s The End of Enlightenment is available now  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Hammersley, a Professor of Intellectual History, Richard Whatmore, a Professor of Modern History, and Tom Hopkins, a Senior Teaching Associate, dive into the life and ideas of Nicolas de Condorcet, a prominent figure of the French Enlightenment. They discuss Condorcet's unwavering commitment to social progress, equal rights, and the abolition of slavery. His ambitious visions of human perfectibility and republican governance amid the chaos of the French Revolution reveal the powerful influence his work continues to have on modern thought.

Matthew Watson, Professor of Political Economy, discusses David Ricardo's revolutionary theories on free trade and comparative advantage. Helen Paul provides insights into Ricardo’s tumultuous early life and financial savvy, shaped by historical events like the Battle of Waterloo. Richard Whatmore examines how Ricardo’s critiques of landlords intersected with societal class tensions. Together, they explore the lasting impact of Ricardo's ideas, including the intricate relationships between trade, war, and economic policy that continue to influence thinkers today.