Rutger Bregman: 3. A conspiracy of decency
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman delivers his first BBC Reith Lecture, Moral Revolution.
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman's 2025 Reith Lectures, called Moral Revolution, explore the moral decay and un-seriousness of today's elites. He argues that small, committed groups can spark moral revolutions, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and long-term vision.
In this third of four lectures, Bregman argues for a new "realist utopia," calling for people to join what he labels" a conspiracy of decency." He says that in the face of rapid technological change, we need to promote ideas like Universal Basic Income, fairer taxation and responsible tech regulation.
The Reith Lectures are presented by Anita Anand who chairs a Q & A. The programme is recorded in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(Photo: Dutch historian Rutger Bregman is seen during his speech at the Barcelona Thought Biennale. Credit: Paco Freire/Getty Images)
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Broadcasts
- Sat 13 Dec 202519:06GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sun 14 Dec 202509:06GMTBBC World Service Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
- Sun 14 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
