The Reith Lectures: Niall Ferguson - The Rule of Law and Its Enemies: 2012 Episode 1 of 4 Tuesday, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4 Synopsis The eminent economic historian Professor Niall Ferguson argues that institutions determine the success or failure of nations. In a lecture delivered at the London School of Economics and Political Science, he says that a society governed by abstract, impersonal rules will become richer than one ruled by personal relationships. The rule of law is crucial to the creation of a modern economy and its early adoption is the reason why Western nations grew so powerful in the modern age. But are the institutions of the West now degenerating? Professor Ferguson asks whether the democratic system has a fatal flaw at its heart. In the West young people are confronting the fact that they must live with the huge financial debt generated by their parents, something they had no control over despite the fact that they were born into a democracy. Is there a way of restoring the compact between different generations? Producer: Jane Beresford. You can now download recordings and transcripts from The Reith Lectures, 1948 - 2010. Duration 42 minutes http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?28,40397,40397#msg-40397 Sun, 19 May 2013 21:13:00 +0100 Phorum 5.2.10 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?28,40397,40397#msg-40397 http://beebotron.org/phorum/read.php?28,40397,40397#msg-40397
Episode 1 of 4

Tuesday, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4
Synopsis

The eminent economic historian Professor Niall Ferguson argues that institutions determine the success or failure of nations. In a lecture delivered at the London School of Economics and Political Science, he says that a society governed by abstract, impersonal rules will become richer than one ruled by personal relationships. The rule of law is crucial to the creation of a modern economy and its early adoption is the reason why Western nations grew so powerful in the modern age.

But are the institutions of the West now degenerating? Professor Ferguson asks whether the democratic system has a fatal flaw at its heart. In the West young people are confronting the fact that they must live with the huge financial debt generated by their parents, something they had no control over despite the fact that they were born into a democracy. Is there a way of restoring the compact between different generations?

Producer: Jane Beresford.

You can now download recordings and transcripts from The Reith Lectures, 1948 - 2010.

Duration
42 minutes]]> Janaru Radio Programmes - Info 'n' Reviews Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:04:44 +0100