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

Who gets to win power and how do they keep it - and lose it? Who is excluded from power? Does power always corrupt or are there examples of leaders who have maintained their integrity while in authority? How does the nature of power vary across different times and cultures? These are the questions that Mary Beard and Rory Stewart addressed when they came to Intelligence Squared in November 2023.
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Intelligence Squared has established itself as the leading forum for live, agenda-setting debates, talks and discussions around the world. Our aim is to promote a global conversation that enables people to make informed decisions about the issues that matter, in the company of the world's greatest minds and orators.
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[@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.

[@felicityhenderson6290]

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

[@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!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@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.

[@BlueSwallowBird]

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

[@TheTristanmarcus]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 .

[@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?

[@francoiserichard9797]

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

[@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

[@jessicaschimmel7398]

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

[@johnjones5220]

Brilliant, more like this please.

[@samg7430]

They are literally my 2 favourite people

[@judyveness7581]

Excellent conversation thank you.

[@korenmoscovich4681]

Absolutely amazing

[@danremenyi1179]

Two great people. Thank you.

[@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

[@williamhicken1206]

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

[@colinthompson3111]

This is an excellent video!

[@alekdaniels]

What an excellent conversation. 😮

[@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.

[@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

[@greymouser8659]

Always good singly...even better together 🙂

[@aidanwalsh2545]

Ah, Civilized debate, how I have missed you.

[@MrIvarlira]

Wonderful chat

[@janemilroy2667]

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

[@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.

[@stevefromsaskatoon830]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@lindawhitehead6149]

a very stimulating conversation...

[@mattantonelli4273]

what a formidable piece of intelligence

[@DamienRowatt]

Great stuff to learn about.

[@jonathantosiocello]

Two of my favourite Brits on stage together!

[@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 ?.

[@HarryKay_]

I mean it's the difference between authority and control

[@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!!!

[@subzero_757]

stand up guy 🤙🏼

[@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!

[@user-ol3xe5fz4u]

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]

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.

[@davidadams6863]

❤

[@markchristopher2373]

Grote is still my fave!

[@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.

[@stevefromsaskatoon830]

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

[@juliehannam5226]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@markrichter2053]

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

[@Catherine-wm3uf]

where was this?

[@mmwakeford]

That take down of Liz Truss? Priceless.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 -

[@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.

[@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

[@notheotherklaus]

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

[@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?

[@user-xe4xp9tt6m]

we need more public schoolkids giving lectures

[@stevefromsaskatoon830]

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

[@markchristopher2373]

Perhaps UK Border Control could use material from Tacitus?

[@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

[@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....

[@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.

[@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.

[@garethwilkinson3456]

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

[@PkSage89]

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

[@lambhead69]

once MI6 always MI6.

[@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!

[@johngamble967]

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

[@robertavila8165]

Underdeveloped men and women think in those terms.

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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.