Morgan C Jones interviews Village editor Michael Smith about the magazine's history, modus operandi and ideology; and how it deals with whistleblowers and defamation law.

Michael talks to London-based barrister David Langwallner and Amsterdam-based writer Patrick Healy about the place of 'The Intellectual' in Irish life and politics, and elsewhere. From John Scottus via James Joyce to Sally Rooney.

The podcast explores the concept of intellectualism in Ireland, delving into historical, cultural, and political aspects. It discusses the role of public intellectuals, the influence of figures like James Joyce, and the challenges of fostering intellectual independence in contemporary society.

Takeaways

• Intellectualism in Ireland
• Role of Public Intellectuals

Chapters

• 00:00 Exploring Intellectualism in Ireland

Morgan C Jones interviews Village editor Michael Smith about Village magazine: its history, ideology, biggest stories and approach. A lot about whistleblowing!

William interviews Frank Connolly about Bus Éireann illegal-use-of-funds scandal; Tony Lowes about bogs' surprising carbon capacity; and Michael Smith about the content of the Nov-Dec 2025 Village magazine

Interculturalism more than multiculturalism: Róisín O Shea interviews Ola Kamebugdani (Juneteenth 2022)

Paul Hyde and corruption in the planning appeals board

Micheál Martin publicly denied the existence of material evidence that had already been disclosed by an EU official Ian Livingstone. He later accepted that his Department had misled him, apologised, and undertook to correct the record. He had his Chef de Cabinet record his apology and commitment. — yet failed to do so

Michael Smith, editor, explains the background and ethos of Village magazine in conversation with Morgan Jones. Later he explains the Leo the Leak story and interviews Chay Bowes.

Barrister David Langwallner , in conversation with Luke Sheehan,argues that the rule of law is collapsing globally, and that literature provides powerful insights into how such breakdowns occur. Drawing on legal theory and a wide range of novels, plays, and historical examples, he outlines the core principles of the rule of law and the signs of its erosion.

He begins with the principles identified by Lord Bingham:

• respect for human rights
• respect for international law
• fair procedures / due process
• independent and incorruptible judges
• affordable access to justice

Langwailner argues that these principles are increasingly undermined. When the law becomes disconnected from social expectations or captured by powerful interests, people resort to self-help, vigilantism, and mob justice. A key danger is the emergence of a “shadow state”, where legal institutions are controlled by corporate, political, or criminal forces.

He illustrates these dynamics through literature:

• Medieval Icelandic sagas show systems where justice could be bought through compensation rather than adjudicated.
• The Oxbow Incident depicts the dangers of mob justice and wrongful lynching.
• The Leopard explores societal transition and the collapse of established social orders.
• Aristophanes’ The Wasps highlights the centrality of jury trials to democracy.
• Works by Leonardo Sciascia portray states corrupted by hidden power structures.
• Gabriel García Márquez’s News of a Kidnapping shows how criminal networks can effectively capture the state.
• Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People illustrates how whistleblowers are destroyed when they threaten powerful interests.
• Camus, especially in The Outsider and other writings, captures the moral dilemmas surrounding justice and authority.

Langweilner also warns about modern threats:

• politicised judiciaries
• corporate influence over governments
• emergency laws replacing normal legal processes
• social media–driven disinformation and trial by mob
• surveillance capitalism and propaganda that undermine rational public debate

He argues that institutions meant to safeguard the rule of law—independent journalism, courts, and jury trials—are weakening. When this happens, societies risk reverting to forms of medieval justice or authoritarian “people’s courts”, where law becomes a tool of power rather than fairness.

The discussion concludes by stressing that the humanistic tradition in literature—from Aristophanes to Camus—warns against these dangers, reminding us that the rule of law depends on independent institutions, truth, and moral courage.

The conversation delves into the literary aspects of advocates and judges, highlighting the art of cross-examination and closing speeches as well as the role of judges in crafting judgments as literature. It explores the impact of these elements on the legal process and the portrayal of human stories within the courtroom. The conversation delves into the literary and societal impact of legal figures and their judgments. It explores the legacy of Thomas Jefferson and Oliver Wendell Holmes, the progressive movement, and the dissent of Holmes. Additionally, it discusses the downside of liberal progressivism and the implications of legal judgments on society.

Takeaways

• Advocates and judges as literary figures
• The art of cross-examination and closing speeches Legal figures as literary icons
• The impact of legal judgments on society

Chapters

• 00:00 The Art of Cross-Examination and Closing Speeches
• 39:44 Legal Figures as Literary Icons
• 45:11 The Progressive Movement and the Dissent of Oliver Wendell Holmes
• 50:42 The Downside of Liberal Progressivism