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AntiSocial

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Aug 23, 2024 • 53min

'Extreme' Misogyny

Should some forms of misogyny be classed as extremism?After the Government announced it would look at ‘extreme misogyny’ in a review of its counter-extremism strategy, a fierce row kicked off on social media.Would creating a category of ‘extreme misogyny’ be a long-overdue move, or dangerous overreach that risks labelling young men and boys as radical? We look at the kind of misogynist content the government might be worried about, what the law does and doesn’t say about extremism, and how the government’s de-radicalisation programme Prevent is already dealing with forms of misogyny.Guests: Ally Fogg, co-founder of the Men & Boys Coalition Dr Charlotte Proudman, barrister and founder of campaign group Right to EqualityDr Joe Whittaker, lecturer in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy at Swansea University. Jonathan Hall KC, UK’s independent reviewer of terrorist legislation Evelina Gibson, former Prevent officer
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Aug 20, 2024 • 7min

A history of anti-fascist protest

The so-called ‘Battle of Cable Street’ in 1936 is often held up by counter-protesters as a model of how to defeat fascism - but it failed to stop antisemitic violence and actually led to a recruitment boost for the British Union of Fascists. Professor Nigel Copsey separates the history and the myth for us.
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Aug 16, 2024 • 54min

Counter-protests

Are counter-protests important for sending a message or can they make confrontation or violence more likely? Is marching in the street a vital expression or is it the wrong place to tackle serious issues? After riots took place outside hotels housing refugees and migrants, counter-protests were swiftly assembled in cities around the UK. They were largely peaceful, but some counter-protesters were arrested and have been charged. Can having two competing sides up the ante and make violence and disorder more likely or is it important two groups of people can be seen to be disagreeing in public? Adam Fleming hears of the history of antifascist counter-protests through history and whether they were effective. He also hears about protest crowd psychology. Guests: Maxine Bowler, Stand up to Racism, Sheffield Andrew Trotter, who was Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Met Police from 1998-2004 where he had overall command for demonstrations and riots.Professor Nigel Copsey from the University of Teeside Professor Cliff Stott from Keele University who's studied the psychology of crowds
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Jun 4, 2024 • 6min

How planet-friendly is your diet?

The greenhouse gas emissions caused by meat, dairy, and plant-based alternatives.Sarah Bridle, professor of food, climate, and society at the University of York, digests the data.
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May 31, 2024 • 54min

Meat-free menus and choice

Should meat and dairy be taken off menus to help save the planet from climate change?A university is accused of “going woke” after reports it is transitioning to 100% plant-based catering by 2027. Climate activists are calling on universities and other public bodies like councils to ditch animal food products to help tackle the climate crisis. But what did the university in question actually decide and how widespread is the shift to plant-based menus? What’s the evidence about the climate impact of meat and dairy versus vegan alternatives? And what is the best way to change people’s behaviour when it comes to what they eat?Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Simon Maybin, Jordan Dunbar, Ellie House, Natasha Fernandes Editor: Bridget Harney
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May 28, 2024 • 6min

Who were the “Anglo-Saxons”?

The term “Anglo-Saxon” has become controversial, but where does it come from?As people argue online about whether the term is tainted by racism, history professor Joanna Story tells its origin story.
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May 24, 2024 • 54min

'Anglo-Saxon' and racism

Should the term “Anglo-Saxon” be dropped because it’s been adopted by racists?People online are angry because a history journal has dropped “Anglo-Saxon” from its title. Critics say it is pandering to American academics who are unduly worried about the term being used by white supremacists. The journal says that’s got nothing to do with it. It’s part of an ongoing debate about whether “Anglo Saxon” is useful and appropriate. How did the argument start? Where did the term actually come from? And how has it been used in modern times to talk about race?Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Simon Tulett, Simon Maybin, Natasha Fernandes Editors: Bridget Harney, Sam Bonham
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May 21, 2024 • 7min

Divestment: A beginner’s guide

Pro-Palestinian student protesters have called for their universities to divest from firms with links to Israel, and specifically the conflict in Gaza, but how would that actually work? Adam Fleming discusses the practicalities and protest history of divestment with Chris Marsicano, assistant professor of higher education and public policy at Davidson College, in North Carolina.
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May 17, 2024 • 54min

Pro-Palestinian student camps

The debate about protestors calling for their universities to cut ties with Israel.Encampments of students protesting about Israel’s military action in Gaza have been popping up on campuses across the UK. They’re calling for their institutions to divest from - sell their stakes in - companies linked to the conflict or Israel, but others say they’re demonising the country and stoking antisemitism. How did the movement start and how have universities been responding? What’s the history of political activism around university investments? And what does the law say about pitching tents on university land?Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Simon Maybin, Simon Tulett, Ellie House, Jameel Shariff
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May 14, 2024 • 8min

How schools got strict

Where did the trend for tough discipline in schools come from? It’s led to a big argument online about how strict is too strict. Education journalist Laura McInerney explains the origins of the trend.

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