Could An Ancient Athenian Fix Britain?

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Know Thyself

20191111

20191230 (R4)

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If there's one thing we can all agree on it's that our state is in a state - could the world's original democrats help us right the ship?

Democracy was born in ancient Athens and lasted for nearly 200 years. Not all Athenians were democrats - perhaps the most famously outspoken anti-democrat Socrates ended up sentenced to death, ironically by a vote of the people. But if an Athenian democrat time-travelled to 2019, what would he make of what's going on in Britain? Could he fix the chaos?

Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface.

Written and presented by Jon Harvey

Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore

Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4

Jon Harvey discovers why the essence of 21st Century democracy would horrify the Greeks

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.

Lots Of Potential

20191112

20191231 (R4)

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey, explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If the one thing we can all agree on is that our state is in a state - could the world's original democrats help us right the ship?

In this episode, Jon explores how ancient democrats in classical Athens played the political lottery. Could it be our lucky charm too?

Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface.

Written and presented by Jon Harvey

Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore

Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4

Jon Harvey explores how ancient democrats played the lottery. Could it be our lucky charm?

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.

How Much Is Too Much?

20191113

20200101 (R4)

Democracy was born in ancient Athens and lasted for nearly 200 years. Not all Athenians were democrats - perhaps the most famously outspoken anti-democrat Socrates ended up sentenced to death, ironically by a vote of the people. Jon travels back in time to discover what kind of issue classical Athenians voted on, how they did it, and why they loved a referendum.

Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface.

Written and presented by Jon Harvey

Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore

Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4

What did classical Athenians vote on? Or rather, what didn't they? Jon Harvey investigates

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.

Troubleshooting

20191114

20200102 (R4)

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey, explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If the one thing we can all agree on is that our state is in a state, could the world's original democrats help us right the ship?

Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface.

Written and presented by Jon Harvey

Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore

Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4

Jon Harvey asks how classical Athens kept politicians in check. Could we learn from them?

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.

Leading Questions

20191115

20200103 (R4)

In this final episode, Jon explores leadership. Is it a paradox that democracy needs good leaders? Compared to ancient Athens, how well do our leaders stack up?

Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface.

Written and presented by Jon Harvey

Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore

Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4

Jon Harvey explores ancient and modern political leaders. How well do our ones stack up?

Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Know Thyself	20191111	20191230 (R4)	Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If there's one thing we can all agree on it's that our state is in a state - could the world's original democrats help us right the ship? Democracy was born in ancient Athens and lasted for nearly 200 years. Not all Athenians were democrats - perhaps the most famously outspoken anti-democrat Socrates ended up sentenced to death, ironically by a vote of the people. But if an Athenian democrat time-travelled to 2019, what would he make of what's going on in Britain? Could he fix the chaos? Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface. Written and presented by Jon Harvey Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart A Naked production for BBC Radio 4 Jon Harvey discovers why the essence of 21st Century democracy would horrify the Greeks Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.
02	Lots Of Potential	20191112	20191231 (R4)	Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey, explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If the one thing we can all agree on is that our state is in a state - could the world's original democrats help us right the ship? Democracy was born in ancient Athens and lasted for nearly 200 years. Not all Athenians were democrats - perhaps the most famously outspoken anti-democrat Socrates ended up sentenced to death, ironically by a vote of the people. In this episode, Jon explores how ancient democrats in classical Athens played the political lottery. Could it be our lucky charm too? Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface. Written and presented by Jon Harvey Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart A Naked production for BBC Radio 4 Jon Harvey explores how ancient democrats played the lottery. Could it be our lucky charm? Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.
03	How Much Is Too Much?	20191113	20200101 (R4)	Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey, explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If the one thing we can all agree on is that our state is in a state - could the world's original democrats help us right the ship? Democracy was born in ancient Athens and lasted for nearly 200 years. Not all Athenians were democrats - perhaps the most famously outspoken anti-democrat Socrates ended up sentenced to death, ironically by a vote of the people. Jon travels back in time to discover what kind of issue classical Athenians voted on, how they did it, and why they loved a referendum. Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface. Written and presented by Jon Harvey Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart A Naked production for BBC Radio 4 What did classical Athenians vote on? Or rather, what didn't they? Jon Harvey investigates Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.
04	Troubleshooting	20191114	20200102 (R4)	Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey, explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If the one thing we can all agree on is that our state is in a state, could the world's original democrats help us right the ship? Democracy was born in ancient Athens and lasted for nearly 200 years. Not all Athenians were democrats - perhaps the most famously outspoken anti-democrat Socrates ended up sentenced to death, ironically by a vote of the people. But if an Athenian democrat time-travelled to 2019, what would he make of what's going on in Britain? Jon investigates how classical Athens kept their politicians in check, and how they brought miscreants to book. Can we learn from them? Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface. Written and presented by Jon Harvey Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart A Naked production for BBC Radio 4 Jon Harvey asks how classical Athens kept politicians in check. Could we learn from them? Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.
05	Leading Questions	20191115	20200103 (R4)	Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey, explores modern British democracy through an ancient Athenian lens. If the one thing we can all agree on is that our state is in a state, could the world's original democrats help us right the ship? Democracy was born in ancient Athens and lasted for nearly 200 years. Not all Athenians were democrats - perhaps the most famously outspoken anti-democrat Socrates ended up sentenced to death, ironically by a vote of the people. But if an Athenian democrat time-travelled to 2019, what would he make of what's going on in Britain? Could he fix the chaos? In this final episode, Jon explores leadership. Is it a paradox that democracy needs good leaders? Compared to ancient Athens, how well do our leaders stack up? Jon is a politician of sorts, having recently challenged Boris Johnson at the general election as his alien alter-ego Count Binface. Written and presented by Jon Harvey Produced by Polly Thomas and Eloise Whitmore Executive Producer: Dixi Stewart A Naked production for BBC Radio 4 Jon Harvey explores ancient and modern political leaders. How well do our ones stack up? Comedian and classicist Jon Harvey explores modern politics through an ancient lens.