Analysis

Is there a new elite?


Listen Later

People have always fought back against “The elite”, and until recently they were easily recognisable: rich, privileged and often born into money. Old Etonians, billionaires, oil barons, media tycoons ruled the roost, but there are claims things are changing, and the rise of a new elite is challenging the status quo.

Author Matthew Goodwin calls them a group of “radical woke middle-class liberals completely out of step with the public”. University graduates working in creative industries, media and universities, who have an heavy influence over the national conversation about things like immigration, trans rights and sex education, but critics say they don’t represent “ordinary folk”, and as a result communities are feeling unrepresented and left behind.
So who is in charge, or is there an unlikely, and unknowing, coalition between the two – the new elite dominating social discourse and cultural discussion, whilst the traditional elite pull the strings of politics and economics?
This is the next chapter of the culture wars – but while the pair of them battle it out for supremacy, much of the country struggles on day-to-day watching from the side lines.

Presenter: Neil Maggs

Producer: Jonathan IAnson
Editor: Clare Fordham

Contributors

Matt Goodwin, Professor of Politics, University of Kent and author "Values, Voice and Virtue".
George Monbiot, Author, journalist and environmental campaigner
Dr Lisa McKenzie, research fellow, University of Durham, writer and anarchist
Bob & Lee, builders
Dr Rakib Ehsan, Social policy analyst and author "Beyond Grievance"
Baroness Tina Stowell of Beeston
Paul Embery, Firefighter, trade unionist and writer
Tom, boxing club owner
Aaron Bastani, Broadcaster and founder of Novara Media

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

AnalysisBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

195 ratings


More shows like Analysis

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,689 Listeners

From Our Own Correspondent by BBC Radio 4

From Our Own Correspondent

366 Listeners

More or Less: Behind the Stats by BBC Radio 4

More or Less: Behind the Stats

897 Listeners

Intelligence Squared by Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

790 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,045 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,441 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,793 Listeners

Witness History by BBC World Service

Witness History

952 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,794 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,099 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,924 Listeners

BBC Inside Science by BBC Radio 4

BBC Inside Science

415 Listeners

Science Weekly by The Guardian

Science Weekly

417 Listeners

Thinking Allowed by BBC Radio 4

Thinking Allowed

299 Listeners

Moral Maze by BBC Radio 4

Moral Maze

67 Listeners

The Inquiry by BBC World Service

The Inquiry

744 Listeners

The Life Scientific by BBC Radio 4

The Life Scientific

243 Listeners

The Briefing Room by BBC Radio 4

The Briefing Room

69 Listeners

Newscast by BBC News

Newscast

649 Listeners

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle by BBC World Service

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle

4,181 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,190 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

737 Listeners

Sideways by BBC Radio 4

Sideways

75 Listeners