Radical

By BBC Radio 4

Conversations about the global forces reshaping our world and the radical ideas that could define the future.

Radical is a twice-weekly podcast where pioneering thinkers, bold innovators and

... more

· Society & Culture

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How many episodes does Radical have?

The podcast currently has 244 episodes available.

Best of Radical

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Redefining Retirement: Is Our Ageing Population an Untapped Asset? (Professor Sarah Harper)
This week, James Marriott talks to Sarah Harper, Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford and one of the world's leading experts on demographic change. She challenges the increasingly common narrative that ageing populations represent an inevitable economic and social burden, arguing instead that longer lives should be seen as an achievement that requires us to rethink the way society is organised. As birth rates fall and life expectancy increases, governments across the world face growing concerns about pensions, healthcare and shrinking workforces. Yet Harper believes many of these pressures stem from institutions that were designed for a very different era. She argues that our welfare systems, labour markets and assumptions about retirement are still based on outdated ideas about ageing and no longer reflect the realities of modern life. She wants us to be more radical, and makes the case for a fundamental rethink of the state pension, proposing that eligibility should be linked to years of contribution rather than chronological age. More broadly, she argues that we need to move beyond rigid age-based milestones and develop new ways of understanding work, contribution and later life in an ageing society. Can ageing populations drive prosperity rather than decline? Should age continue to determine when we stop working and start receiving support from the state? And what would it take to build a society that not only adapts to longer lives, but thrives because of them? - WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 - Email: [email protected] Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday. Series Producer: Rufus Gray Producers: Nathan Gower and Ivana Davidovic Digital Producer: Gabriel Purcell-Davis Technical Producer: Dafydd Evans Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham
August 27, 202643min
Number 2: Are Politicians Too Focused on Older Generations? (Your Radical Questions with Professor Sarah Harper)
Sarah Harper is Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford and one of the world's leading experts on demographic change. She challenges the widespread belief that ageing populations are primarily a social and economic burden, arguing instead that longer lives represent one of humanity's greatest achievements and an opportunity to rethink how society is organised. In the last episode, Sarah explained why many of the pressures associated with ageing societies stem from institutions that were designed for a very different era. She argued that our welfare systems, labour markets and expectations around retirement no longer reflect the realities of modern life, where people are living longer, healthier lives than previous generations. In this week's Q&A, Sarah joins James Marriott to answer your questions about the future of retirement, pensions and work in an ageing society. She explores generational resentment and how we can bridge the gap between old and young, whether inequality is more important than age, and whether politicians disproportionately focus on older voters. - WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 - Email: [email protected] Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday. Series Producer: Rufus Gray Producers: Nathan Gower and Ivana Davidovic Digital Producer: Gabriel Purcell-Davis Technical Producer: Dafydd Evans Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham
August 31, 202627min
Number 3: Influence After Empire: Is Britain Still a Great Power? (Professor Brendan Simms)
Is Great Britain really still great? Is it in decline, or has the UK underestimated its own status in the world? In his latest book The Return of the Great Powers, Brendan Simms, Professor of the History of International Relations at the University of Cambridge, challenges one of the most deeply rooted current assumptions in British public life and argues that the UK is still a significant player on the world stage. While much of the national conversation focuses on economic stagnation, geopolitical uncertainty and the fading legacy of empire, Simms argues that the UK remains one of only four true Great Powers in the world today, alongside the United States, China and Russia. Drawing on a framework of resources, reach, reputation and resilience, he joins Radical to make the case that Britain retains many of the characteristics that define global power: a strong economy, worldwide diplomatic influence, significant military capabilities and an overseas presence that allows it to project influence far beyond its shores. Sophia Smith Galer hosts this week, and find out why Brendan Simms believes that great power politics has returned as the dominant force shaping international affairs. What does it mean to be a Great Power in the 21st century? Does Britain still belong at the top table? And how the growing rivalry between the US and China is reshaping the global order? - WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 - Email: [email protected] Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday. Series Producer: Rufus Gray Producers: Nathan Gower and Ivana Davidovic Digital Producer: Joe Wilkinson Technical Producer: Jonny Baker Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham
August 21, 202645min
Number 4: Will British Farming Pay the Price for Rewilding? (Your Radical Questions with Derek Gow)
Derek Gow is a farmer, conservationist, author and leading rewilding advocate who has become one of the UK's most vocal champions of large-scale species reintroductions. In this special Q&A, he tackles some of your most challenging and provocative questions. In the main episode, Derek explained why he breeds native British species and argued that rewilding is a vital tool in addressing the biodiversity and climate crises. In this follow-up discussion, listeners ask whether turning farmland into wildlife habitat can ever be financially sustainable and how he responds to critics who believe conservation is a luxury. He also explains how investing in nature can deliver long-term benefits for communities, the economy and the environment. Next week, Sophia Smith-Galer talks to Brendan Simms, Professor of the History of International Relations at the University of Cambridge. He argues that, contrary to received wisdom, the UK is still a great power in the world. We’ll be putting your radical questions to Professor Simms for a Q&A episode, so please get in touch. * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: [email protected]
August 17, 202625min
Number 5: Is Britain's Military Still Fit For Purpose? (Your Radical Questions with Brendan Simms)
Brendan Simms is Professor of the History of International Relations at the University of Cambridge and the author of The Return of the Great Powers. He challenges the widespread belief that Britain is in terminal decline, arguing that the UK remains one of the world’s four true Great Powers. In the main episode, Brendan explained why Britain’s resources, global reach, reputation and resilience still give it significant international influence. He also argued that great power politics has returned as the dominant force shaping global affairs. In this special Q&A, Brendan answers your questions on what steps Britain needs to take to stay relevant, whether its military is fit for purpose, and whether our soft power is overlooked. - WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 - Email: [email protected] Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday. Series Producer: Rufus Gray Producers: Nathan Gower and Ivana Davidovic Digital Producer: Joe Wilkinson Technical Producer: Jonny Baker Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham
August 24, 202624min