Main content

Libertarianism, Trevor Paglen and Surveillance, Civil War Ranters

Anne McElvoy presents. With a debate about Ranter writings from the English Civil War, libertarianism today, artist Trevor Paglen and an essay on the Actresses' Franchise League.

A new collection of Ranter writings from the English Civil War sheds light on their extreme libertarian views. Anne McElvoy is joined by the book's editor Nigel Smith, Professor of Ancient and Modern Literature at Princeton to talk about how they became the enemy of seventeenth century orthodoxy, whilst cultivating an array of lively literary prose styles.

Libertarianism has long left the contrarian political fringes it occupied during Britain's revolutionary period and seems to be on the ascendance. Journalist Rod Liddle and Conservative Party politician Douglas Carswell join Anne to discuss the ideology today.

A 62 metre photographic installation unveiled at London's Gloucester Road Tube station depicts the US reconnaissance base in North Yorkshire. Anne speaks to the image's creator Trevor Paglen about how much - or little - we understand of global surveillance.

New Generation Thinker Naomi Paxton reflects on the Actresses' Franchise League.

Producer: Georgia Catt.

Available now

45 minutes

Music and featured items

  • The Mekons

    Thee Olde Trip To Jerusalem

    • OOOH!.
    • Quarterstick Records:.
    • QS77CD.
    • 1.
  • Civil War Ranters

    Nigel Smith sheds light on the English Civil War Ranter’s extreme libertarian views.

    Duration: 13:01

  • Libertarianism

    Rod Liddle and Douglas Carswell discuss the Libertarianism today.

    Duration: 16:19

  • New Generation Thinker: Naomi Paxton

    Naomi Paxton reflects on the Actresses' Franchise League.

    Duration: 06:09

  • Trevor Paglen: An English Landscape

    Trevor Paglen on his photographic installation and what is says about global surveillance

    Duration: 08:22

Nigel Smith

Nigel Smith

A Collection of Ranter Writings: Spiritual Liberty and Sexual Freedom in the English Revolution edited by Nigel Smith is out now.

Rod Liddle

Rod Liddle

Selfish Whining Monkey’s by Rod Liddle is out now. 

New Generation Thinkers 2014

New Generation Thinkers 2014

Naomi Paxton of the University of Manchester is one of this year's New Generation Thinkers. She is currently exploring the Suffrage campaign and the Actresses’ Franchise League.  



An English Landscape

An English Landscape

You can see by Trevor Paglen at Gloucester Road Underground Station in London, as part of the Art on the Underground.


Image: Art on the Underground An English Landscape (American Surveillance Base near Harrogate, Yorkshire) by Trevor Paglen at Gloucester Road Underground station.  Copyright Ollie Hemmick

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Anne McElvoy
Interviewed Guest Nigel Smith
Interviewed Guest Rod Liddle
Interviewed Guest Douglas Carswell
Interviewed Guest Naomi Paxton
Interviewed Guest Trevor Paglen
Producer Georgia Catt

Broadcast

  • Thu 19 Jun 2014 22:00

Featured in...

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

The Arts & Ideas Podcast

You can download all the past episodes of Radio 3's Free Thinking

Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019

Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019

Angry politics, what we can’t say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV

Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional

Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional

Angry politics, what we can’t say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many

We examine the fast-changing relationship between the individual & the crowd

CLICK to LISTEN & SEE all programmes, images, clips & features from 2017's festival

Free Thinking Festival 2017: The Speed of Life