Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series
Radio 4,·312 episodes
The Paradox of Gorbachev's Reforms
Professor Geoffrey Hosking analyses how democracy can evolve after a totalitarian regime.
13 Dec 1988,·30 mins
The Old Warhorse
The composer Alexander Goehr discusses rise and fall of the Symphony.
18 Nov 1987,·30 mins
An Orchid In the Field of Technology
Professor Alexander Goehr judges the effect of recorded sound on our perception of music.
25 Nov 1987,·30 mins
Past and Present
Professor Alexander Goehr diagnoses the pressures of contemporary music-making.
02 Dec 1987,·30 mins
A Licence for Licence
Professor Alexander Goehr explores how avant-garde music lost its edge.
09 Dec 1987,·30 mins
Let the People Sing
Professor Alexander Goehr explores the creation of 'community' music by modern composers.
16 Dec 1987,·30 mins
Stand Up and Be Misunderstood
Professor Alexander Goehr stresses why society must fight to save the symphony.
27 Dec 1987,·30 mins
The Chill and Distant Heights
Lord McCluskey questions the role judges perform in sentencing criminals.
05 Nov 1986,·30 mins
The Clanking of Medieval Chains
Lord McCluskey examines how judges come to their conclusions.
12 Nov 1986,·30 mins
Hard Cases and Bad Law
Lord McCluskey argues ultimate responsibility for legislation lies with Parliament.
19 Nov 1986,·30 mins
Trusting the Judges
Lord McCluskey argues for the more unambiguous adjudication.
26 Nov 1986,·30 mins
An Enormous Power
Lord McCluskey argues against the enactment of a Bill of Rights in the United Kingdom.
03 Dec 1986,·30 mins
Lions Under the Throne
Lord McCluskey concludes his lectures on the state of the British legal system.
10 Dec 1986,·30 mins
The Power of Do-it-Yourself Economics
David Henderson examines the power of do-it-yourself economics.
06 Nov 1985,·30 mins
Soap Opera in High Places
David Henderson examines the leading elements of do-it-yourself economics.
13 Nov 1985,·30 mins
Needs, Centralism & Autarchy
David Henderson considers the contrasts between different economic processes.
20 Nov 1985,·30 mins
Orthodox Economists versus the People
David Henderson explores the role of international trade on economics.
27 Nov 1985,·30 mins
DIYE plus the Lobbies: Counting the Cost
David Henderson examines how influential economists really are.
04 Dec 1985,·30 mins
Markets, States & Economics
David Henderson considers the wider context of market states and economics.
11 Dec 1985,·30 mins
A Froth on Reality
Professor John Searle examines the connections between the mind and the brain.
07 Nov 1984,·30 mins
Beer Cans & Meat Machines
Professor John Searle considers whether a digital computer can be taught to think.
14 Nov 1984,·30 mins
Grandmother Knew Best
Professor John Searle examines the discipline of cognitive science.
21 Nov 1984,·30 mins
Walk to Patagonia
Professor John Searle analyses how our mental activities can produce our behaviour.
28 Nov 1984,·30 mins
A Changing Reality
Professor John Searle explores the limitations of human behavioural science.
05 Dec 1984,·30 mins
The Freedom of the Will
Professor John Searle examines the evidence for and against the existence of free will.
12 Dec 1984,·30 mins
United Thoughts & Counsels
Sir Douglas Wass examines what we mean by 'government'.
09 Nov 1983,·30 mins
Cabinet: Directorate or Directory?
Sir Douglas Wass analyses the effectiveness of the British Parliamentary Cabinet.
16 Nov 1983,·30 mins
The Privileged Adviser
Sir Douglas Wass asks which Civil Service reforms would strengthen it and which weaken it.
23 Nov 1983,·30 mins
Critical Opposition - Part of the Policy
Sir Douglas Wass examines the executive power of Parliament.
30 Nov 1983,·30 mins
Opening Up Government.
Sir Douglas Wass examines the effect on government of more public access to information.
07 Dec 1983,·30 mins
