Rory Stewart and Mary Beard on Power and Politics | Intelligence Squared

[@felicityhenderson6290]

I love the way that Rory actually converses. Ie, he LISTENS and then answers!

[@kingy002]

He's a superb listener.

[@graemem111]

The best leader that this country has not had. Yet.

[@andrewtucker94]

For god's sake Rory, get back into Parliament. He'd be an asset in any cabinet.

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

Rory is pro Sharia. If he were PM every woman in London would be required to wear a niqab.

[@YeahThatllDo]

I think we think that because he never had the opportunity to disappoint us

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

@@YeahThatllDo George Bush's main campaign promise was education reform, and he had a 90% approval rating just after 9/11. If you JUST look at the first 261 days of his presidency George Bush was an awesome President. In that 261 days he also helped pass the Clear Skies Initiative to reduce air pollution, modernized energy policy, conservationism, and increased production, passed the promised education reform, and signed in tax cuts. Now he's a war criminal. And No Child Left Behind became an unpopular boogieman for some people on both sides of the aisle. He also was the administration who insisted that Israel allow Gaza to hold open elections in 2005 btw.

[@Nebuchadnezzar-Wildebeest]

@graemem111 Yes. And Rory Stewart wouldn't have been bad, either.

[@rosemarystewart7405]

This was an excellent conversation between two highly intelligent and articulate people. Thank you.

[@francoiserichard9797]

I think R Stewart was better then M Beard , so there !!!

[@rosemarystewart7405]

​@@francoiserichard9797 you could be right . But i still like Mary!

[@victorkowalski8237]

Intelligent discussion are alive!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@mrmarmellow555]

​@@francoiserichard9797TOTES🎉💯%

[@TheTristanmarcus]

Very refreshing to hear that there are still fascinating people in a sea of social media morons 😢 Fascinating and absorbing conversation ❤

[@BlueInk912]

I think i have died & gone to heaven! Mary & Rory 🎉 thank you.

[@Benjamin.Jamin.]

Wow. Two of my favourite and most respected thinkers on the same stage! Amazing!!!

[@advocate1563]

One excellent thinker certainly. I give the other one a wide berth.

[@welium123]

COYH!

[@eveb.6568]

Great, polite, intelligent conversation. Unusual to see two people allowing each other to speak without interrupting every two words.

[@Funbundle44]

This conversation should be listened to (and discussed) by every Fifth and Sixth Former in the UK. Perhaps not all the once (knowing how limited some people’s’ attention span is!) I now need to go to the library and get a book on Tacitus! At coming up to my eighties, it’s still never too late to learn!

[@susanbaker7282]

Certainly agree more like this in schools also more live debate Not quite 80 still thankfully learning Have you read Democracy in Chains power player now

[@suewilkinson910]

Excellent. A proper discussion full of interesting facts and ideas. We are swamped with such mediocrity these days it's easy to forget what intelligence sounds like.

[@garethwilkinson3456]

Hello Sue. Sorry, my mum was Sue.

[@jamesbinns8528]

Amen. It's even worse for Americans--and being one I can attest to that.

[@johnjones5220]

Brilliant, more like this please.

[@jessicaschimmel7398]

How articulate and in depth, thank you. We need more of this.

[@francoiserichard9797]

always a ¨pleasure to hear R Steward : not only a Clever gentleman but a Humane one , too

[@samg7430]

They are literally my 2 favourite people

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

Rory's documentary on Afghanistan and how the latter evolved under Karzai is excellent for those interested in studying failed states. I think that the documentary series is available on KZbin.

[@joanormrod4893]

He outlines his Afghanistan work in Politics On The Edge - a riveting read. Yes he is naive (note how Michael Gove put the knife in), but as mentioned in other comments, perhaps we need more idealism and competence in politics. Even if you think he is naive, he was competent.

[@hansiesma16]

@@joanormrod4893why do you say is he naive?

[@mehitabel6564]

​@@hansiesma16because he took Michael Gove's word at face value when Gove offered to join his own leadership campaign behind Stewart's, then proceeded with a particularly nasty smear and disinformation campaign against Stewart.

[@hansiesma16]

@@mehitabel6564 I see. Thank you.

[@Kian2002]

Rory's clear sense of right & wrong would immediately precluded him from being Party Leader of the Conservatives.

[@groMMit1981]

He is as self deluded, perhaps even more so, then his colleagues on both sides of the isle

[@katie8325]

@@groMMit1981aisle 😘

[@groMMit1981]

Thank you @@katie8325 can you help me in getting spellcheck working in Firefox as well?

[@ianbanks2844]

Don't you mean his complete detachment from reality ? Just like the Marxist Beard .

[@graemem111]

The problem is that so few people in positions of power are as intelligent as he is. That’s before we even look at Prof Beard.

[@judyveness7581]

Excellent conversation thank you.

[@korenmoscovich4681]

Absolutely amazing

[@danremenyi1179]

Two great people. Thank you.

[@colinthompson3111]

This is an excellent video!

[@howtoappearincompletely9739]

Wow! The second half of this is absolutely fantastic.

[@chrisjordan7739]

This guy is the best politician we could have

[@DarkFire515]

Fascinating discussion. A pity the recording missed out the Q&A session.

[@Intelligence-Squared]

The full 90 minutes is on Intelligence Squared Plus

[@williamhicken1206]

Robert Caro wrote about power. His books are well worth reading.

[@alekdaniels]

What an excellent conversation. 😮

[@MrIvarlira]

Wonderful chat

[@greymouser8659]

Always good singly...even better together 🙂

[@duckbizniz663]

Interesting talk between Mary and Rory. Mary is an expert on Imperial Rome and Rory is an expert on Parliament. How do did Roman Emperor rule and how do Prime Minister rule. Great jacket Rory. No wonder you won GQ's politician of the year.

[@vmhutch]

As a former two term state legislator it has always amazed me that the body politic, writ large, assumes that all working politicians have their speeches written for them by some Svengali. That was not my experience. Many have their speeches reviewed and critiqued, and they may alter them to conform to a platform. The higher up the food chain one rises in politics the more one represents a larger team. I agree with this politician who speculates that most politicians give about seventy percent of their share of mind to the job. The worst gives much less; but isn't that true of any profession? Excellent discussion. I wish we could see the whole thing.

[@Stevros999]

You can see the whole thing it's on iq2 plus

[@lindawhitehead6149]

a very stimulating conversation...

[@David-j9h9g]

he was too ethical to be an MP..

[@markglendinning3956]

Have a look at his voting record. ‘Ethical’ wouldn’t be my description

[@paulcasey5204]

If you understood the way Parliament works, you'd realise that voting record is no way to judge any MP in a system with tightly controlled parties. Or save some time and just watch the Yes Minister episode, The Whiskey Priest.

[@nigecheshire9854]

He works for kluas

[@paulfield2890]

Nice man who is intelligent and interesting…but also very naive.

[@johnwright9372]

MPs are bound by the Party whip system.

[@thomasd2444]

31:25 - They make a desert & they call it peace 32:05 - As a working politician I felt such a resonance ... Brit-politics ... after a decade 33:00 - Q : 34:18 - 35:08 - 2 fold

[@mattantonelli4273]

what a formidable piece of intelligence

[@DamienRowatt]

Great stuff to learn about.

[@damienhudson8028]

With cameras and video recordings, there is no other time in history that the human failings and imperfection of even the best person can be shown to and condemned by the world.

[@jonathantosiocello]

Two of my favourite Brits on stage together!

[@rockytoptom]

Rory - Lyndon Johnson only proposed Kennedy's Civil Rights bill because he knew he'd never win re-election without it. He needed black voters to win even some of the Southern states. Self-interest was his only motivation.

[@mehitabel6564]

That sounds about par for the course for most politicians.

[@rockytoptom]

@@mehitabel6564 LBJ was one of a kind when it came to self-interest motivating opportunism. Caesar and Napoleon were at that level.

[@thomasd2444]

27:54 - Tacitus (Cornelius), Roman , Historian (b. 55 AD - 120 AD). Became orator, married a daughter of Julius Agricola, Quaestor in 81 or 82, Senator under Flavians, Praetor in 88.

[@philipbrooks402]

That conversation at about 27:00 about politicians not writing their own words and the reference to Tacitus. I believe that Churchill did not use a speechwriter and wrote everything himself or dictated his own words.

[@aidanwalsh2545]

Ah, Civilized debate, how I have missed you.

[@kingy002]

It is all over the place, you just have to look for it.

[@HarryKay_]

I mean it's the difference between authority and control

[@graemem111]

Next election. Not the forthcoming. Get him a ‘safe’ seat as an independent. The only time I would subscribe to gerrymandering!! 😊. Then all ‘right thinking’ people in power should welcome him. We deserve this quality of leader.

[@yorkiegilly4355]

@graemem111 = You are joking ,he would give any well known traitor a run for their money .All he has done is back stab , even people who helped him he now talks behind their backs to any media that will listen ,which he uses to further any career he might still have .I wouldn"t trust him as far as I could throw him - a charmer & sweet talker as his type usually are ?.

[@mehitabel6564]

​@@yorkiegilly4355you couldn't have it more wrong. The Tory leadership campaign particularly was brutal. Politicians agreeing one thing to people's faces, then briefing the exact opposite in the media, as happened to Rory Stewart with Michael Gove and several other prominent MPs.

[@monsieurgrigny]

Enjoyable - but one does get the feeling that they both like the sound of their own voices and never lose the opportunity to pontificate. And no mention of Tacitus the great stylist!!!

[@mehitabel6564]

Not soundbitey enough for you?

[@slautensach4720]

I'm somewhat surprised that on a talk about power and symbols of power(less) emperors the British Monarchy system did not get mentioned once...

[@thomasd2444]

36:33 - Environment Minister Spending Plan ... becomes a 10 point paper-plan 37:26 - Liz Truss 7 Point Nat Park Plan which spends _____ 37:52 -

[@lafamillecarrington]

I'd be intrigued to know if Rory Stewart would have been able to continue writing his own speeches if he had become Prime Minister.

[@Funbundle44]

My Dad was in the Civil Service and wrote speeches for his Ministers. It was the Civil Service who did all the leg work, getting all the information needed for the speech. I feel that in Rory’s case, he’s quite knowledgeable and intelligent enough to write his own - if he had the time of course! I’m sure he’d go through with a fine tooth comb any speech written FOR him!

[@juliehannam5226]

Jesus said all will be revealed I love both these universal gems X

[@williamj8349]

Audio technician needed to cut 250hz in this. Great talk though!

[@janemilroy2667]

Rory come back and help us get out of this massive quagmire this country is in

[@MarloweDash]

3:00 maybe Hadrian can only be at one place at a time and his generals are far away doing their jobs BUT the generals are still afraid if him, if they mess up they know Hadrian has the power to change the generals’ future. RS may not have ‘felt’ powerful with that trillion dollar budget but he WAS. It is so very hard for ppl in power (and priviledge) to see the experience of those without it who surround him. The more i listen to RS, the less i am impressed by him. He has made interesting choices and done interesting things but always from a position of priviledge, it seems to me. He has not been able to get out of that ‘skin’. His humility seems like a veil. - i am willing to be wrong tho. Might not ‘get’ him yet. Thought provoking!! 🎉

[@markchristopher2373]

Grote is still my fave!

[@thomasd2444]

35:28 - Institution A & B & C & D & E & F & G are genuinely collapsing ____ Govt. & Uni-edu & media all require MONEY to not become HAVE-NOT-instittuions

[@sgordon8123]

You can't know what a person from now would be like in the past. A clever person adjusts their persona to suit the times.

[@Stevros999]

It's true I've made so many changes I don't even know who the real me is anymore 😂

[@Catherine-wm3uf]

where was this?

[@5transcendent]

I’d like to like another time, is there anyway?

[@subzero_757]

stand up guy 🤙🏼

[@mmwakeford]

That take down of Liz Truss? Priceless.

[@memoryman8462]

Maybe in the mid-late 2030's we will have the opportunity to have him as our prime minister

[@andyc1909]

8billion variations of being human. Billions more have been and more to come. Personal experience and evidence at large points to complex simplicity involving contradictions amongst other states.

[@aryastark772]

Rory has always struck me as a kind man. Decent, he actually cares. A good Tory. Kind in such a way he actually belongs more to Labour rather than most heartless Tories

[@mehitabel6564]

You think Labour are kind? You have to be kidding. I find myself disenfranchised with no party to vote for, Tories AND Labour being equally unpalatable and the Lib Dems nowhere. If Rory Stewart were to form his own party of the middle ground I'd vote for him, and I suspect many others would too. Meanwhile we have frogmouth Faraaaage.

[@tosin8401]

One thing this discussion misses is that there’s a difference between Power and Control. There’s no question that a Roman emperor had significant civilization-altering power. What they may not have had as much of is Control. And the same applies to Rory as a minister

[@sroher1]

Abraham Lincoln wrote his own speeches; his private notes to himself in the White House show how his thinking developed and later shows up in major speeches.

[@theodorearaujo971]

Funny that Stewart did not comprehend that ALL of the Emperor's, like all politicians, are always acting, hence his confusion when opining about Nero.

[@normalman1045]

Im a socialist. An environmentalist. But this lady is brutal to listen to. Rory Stewart is interesting because he's someone who has worked in the mechanics of politics.

[@markrichter2053]

The hell was that? It ended half way throughout the most significant part of the conversation. Where’s the second half?

[@stephennutt4083]

Is it not the case that Roman soldiers also acted as civil servants - I used to teach A level roman britain and there is a lot of evidence of this

[@drhairy]

‘The civil service sort of woke up’ - what utter bollocks. What you mean is that you managed to corner the one senior civil servant you ever spoke to in the department. The poor bastard was probably a fellow Oxford PPE alumni from 10yrs before you graduated. 99% of the civil service is from the asset poor classes that have to sign up to doing as they are told by politicians or face dismissal.

[@AnthonyNickson-r3t]

we need more public schoolkids giving lectures

[@Stevros999]

Would be funny to listen to little kids lecture on history 😄

[@fabiodeoliveiraribeiro1602]

It is a mistake to compare Rome with England and Boris Johnson with a Roman emperor. Nowadays, unlike the Roman emperors, an English ruler does not really have power over the military to the point of using them with complete freedom without being accountable to anyone inside or outside the country. The racial diversity of Roman citizens was very great. Due to its political characteristics, Rome was very tolerant from a racial point of view towards Roman citizens. In recent years, England has become a petty and sad country in which racism occupies a large space in foreign policy and in relation to immigration.

[@pinkpanther7030]

You should forgive Mary Beard. She is the most outspoken female lecturer in Roman History. Her vocation transcient all political expectations. She see romanity in situ and beyond. She can't help it. In fact the Roman empire was great and many civilizations tried to imitate it since always 🤗

[@fabiodeoliveiraribeiro1602]

@@pinkpanther7030 It wasn't her who made the comparison, it was the other guy.

[@katie8325]

That’s not recent 😂 are you joking?

[@johngamble967]

Two academics, certainly not going to appeal to your average British voters, and personally this is just what the conservative want.

[@carolinebateman4240]

What am I doing wrong? I want to watch this recording, but I am forced to watch a hideously long advert for Jim Kwik training. It's not an ad; it's a full-length movie. I am accustomed to quick ads, but I am losing the will to live. I want to watch this conversation. Why is there no option to skip to the video I am trying to watch? Do I have to subscribe to Intelligence Squared before I can watch it? I'm off to the podcast. Intelligence Squared sounds interesting, but I won't be forced to subscribe to anything.

[@jalexander9999]

Get Premium

[@davidadams6863]

❤

[@sao9995]

Democracy is cyclical. It starts out good in response to a misshapen control by a few. It distributes power to the many who align as tribes with interests. These tribes must market their interests to the democratized many, strengthening existing tribes and creating new ones-new tribes that challenge the majority until the majority is no longer distinct and representative of the nation. Civil war ensues as some wish to preserve and some wish to reform on both sides. Democracy is no more defensible than a single monarch. We just experienced the best days of democracy, now in decline. American democracy has gone as far as it can. The weak have been enabled. The strong are gagged and bound. Something must break because the cycle is the cycle and demands it to break. As politics evolved, distinct parties and interest groups formed, each representing specific factions of society. Interest Group Politics: The landscape of modern American politics is heavily influenced by various interest groups and lobbyists, each vying for power and influence. Their role is significant and cannot be overlooked. Decline and Conflict: Increasing polarization along ideological, economic, and social lines has fragmented the electorate. The majority is no longer distinct or representative of the nation. Institutional Strain: Partisan gridlock, challenges to democratic processes, and declining trust in institutions have weakened the foundations of American democracy. Impending Conflict: The cycle demands a break. The weak have been enabled, and the strong are gagged and bound. The current state of American democracy suggests that it is reaching the end of its cycle, and something must give. The situation is urgent, and action is needed. Democracy is not inherently more defensible than other forms of governance. It begins with broad participation and power distribution but inevitably leads to factions and interest groups forming. These groups market their interests, leading to fragmentation and conflict. Eventually, internal strife and external pressures cause the system to break, demanding significant change or transformation. This cycle is evident in the histories of Ancient Greece and Rome and is increasingly apparent in the current state of American democracy. By understanding and acknowledging this cyclical nature, we can better appreciate the dynamics at play and anticipate the challenges and transformations that lie ahead.

[@notheotherklaus]

Beard is better when she is prepared, like in the BBC series on Roman Empire.

[@CloudhoundCoUk]

This presentation is far better than Mary and Boris's talk about the Greeks and Romans. Mary was fabulous but Bojo as always let Mary and everyone down. The puppet masters have always been behind the curtain.

[@markchristopher2373]

Perhaps UK Border Control could use material from Tacitus?

[@PkSage89]

far as what could be done with the environmental kind of stuff: kzbin.info/aero/PLKty8zmNqWGynKTXoPFpxAOlZDlzC_Ntq

[@valerieannegagnon8803]

Rory is appalled by the realization that he must send a popular call for help in order to have anything done. He is not a Chinese Mandarin. This is how Democracy works....

[@garethwilkinson3456]

So, not Mary Beard. She will never. Rory Stuart. And he will have to, but will loose.

[@oliverjamito9902]

Even my pop Saul to Paul knows Who? Beloved and our Beautiful let not thy spirit, Hearts, and Minds be troubled! Remember is required REST FILLED. Students what is gnashing of teeth? Without rest! Will be determined unto thy conversations given. Is like How's thy conversations in front nor alone? Remember many possess great riches nor wealth. Yet many Blows their own TRUMPETS AND THEIR OWN WALLS COMES CRUSHING DOWN! How's thy conversations given? Conversations without rest gnashing of teeth or Rest comes with filled overflowing. Some will say what is 1k in the account? Students, Hosts, and our Beautiful will say can move Mountains! Is not what you possess but is what you can do without! Gratitude and Honor Students!

[@stuartgraca]

Wgen you listen to more than four videos with Rory it begins to feel like a repeat, he recycles his pet lines. Here the discussion is so over choreographed it is a mutual book sale. The Roman insight is a rather good example of historians failing to get the measure of daily life , a bit like assessing Britain 2023 by the recordings of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak , it will sell a book but not further knowledge.

[@johnlarkin3821]

No beauty contest, is ?

[@davidjames9626]

Bloop bloop bloop

[@nonindividual]

Intelligence squared is a pretentious and cringeworthy name for a channel.

[@DollyPocket]

Wrong Rory was on the wrong side of so much it might be better to illustrate with something less than his usual pomposity where mistakes have been made

[@mrmarmellow555]

She so #WRONG😢

[@craigyoung6557]

Please retire Rory.

[@robertavila8165]

Underdeveloped men and women think in those terms.

[@oliverjamito9902]

What is Environmental minister unto all who am I? Students will say I AM thy Environmental ministers! Indeed! Remind and comes with comfort unto all the Who am I Environmental ministers? Remember who am I? Given time and commanded Heirs to provide free space and room to grow! From who am I to become thy I AM? INDEED. What is tumbleweeds students? Who am I! Easily can be persuaded and the wind blows who am I like a tumbleweeds. In any directions. Liken unto a chicken after all its feathers are plucked out! As walking away after humiliated! The deceiver reached out from his pocket and seeds food threw it in the ground. The naked chicken after its feathers are plucked out! Turn around and came towards the food upon the ground. Proceeded to eat the the seeds food from the ground. The deceiver will say! Look! Not knowing the true owner is looking! At these same minds principalities who deceiveth sitting in high places. Control the Food! These plucked out feathers chickens will follow! Keep watch! Likewise Heirs and Angels who persevere commanded to keep watch at these...till

[@kensho123456]

Is his aunty a seemite ?

[@zoot4358]

Meh Rory Stewart was Meh we never had Meh...Rory Stewart was too Meh to be MehP...shut apppp...he's doing podcasts and not weilding power for a reason...he's a little nerdy wormboy

[@BillOdyssey]

Ooh this looks insufferable...

[@lesliewatts7537]

Rory.............. the thinking mans guy who the stupid tories missed out on.

[@gerardvila4685]

The "mask coated with poison that corrodes your face" image is in a Japanese film. It was years ago I saw it, it's in black and white. IIRC it's a woman wearing it - she can't take it off - and she cries "Itai! Itai!" - "It hurts! It hurts!" (Itai-Itai is actually the name of a painful disease [edit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itai-itai_disease?wprov=sfla1 ] ). Mind you the film is probably from a written story.

[@radikalmoderate5705]

These talking heads provide good cover for the monster.

[@lambhead69]

once MI6 always MI6.