Rutger Bregman: 2. How to start a moral revolution
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman delivers his second BBC Reith Lecture, looking at what can be learned from the 19th Century campaign to abolish slavery.
Rutger Bregman's 2025 Reith Lectures, called Moral Revolution, explore the moral decay and un-seriousness of today's elites, drawing historical parallels to past eras of corruption that preceded transformative movements especially the 19th Century campaign to abolish slavery. In his series, he argues that small, committed groups can spark moral revolutions, emphasising the importance of perseverance and long-term vision.
Bregman advocates for a new "realist utopia" in the face of rapid technological change, promoting ideas like Universal Basic Income, fairer taxation and responsible tech regulation. Finally, he zooms out to reflect on humanity’s strange historical trajectory, warning of the existential risks posed by unchecked AI and urging privileged individuals to take on an active role in shaping a better future.
The Reith Lectures are presented by Anita Anand who chairs a Q&A. The programme was recorded in front of an audience in London.
(Photo: Dutch historian Rutger Bregman is seen during his speech at the Barcelona Thought Biennale. Credit: Paco Freire/Getty Images)
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- Sat 6 Dec 202519:06GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 7 Dec 202509:06GMTBBC World Service Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
- Sun 7 Dec 202512:06GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East Asia & South Asia
The Reith Lectures on Radio 4
Archive recordings from the BBC's flagship annual lecture series going back to 1948
