A Point of View Episodes Episode guide
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Understanding Contemporary China 4/4
How can the undemocratic Chinese state enjoy authority in the eyes of its population?
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Who are the Chinese? 3/4
In his third talk on understanding China, Martin Jacques explores the nature of race.
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What Will China Be Like as a Superpower? 2/4
In his second talk on understanding China, Martin Jacques examines the tributary system.
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Understanding Contemporary China 1/4
Martin Jacques presents a personal view on how best to understand contemporary China.
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Presenting the Past
Sarah Dunant reflects on the role of history in society, and how it changes over time.
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Mouthing Off
Sarah Dunant takes a look at teeth through the ages, and dentistry in times of austerity.
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Sweet charity
Sarah Dunant reflects on the growing importance of charity shops in times of austerity.
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In Search of Prizes
Sarah Dunant explores the merit of literary prizes as the Man Booker shortlist is revealed
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Policing Sex
Sarah Dunant looks at attitudes to sexual behaviour from a historical perspective.
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The alchemy of memory
John Gray explores the role of memory in giving meaning to our lives.
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The trouble with 'freedom'
John Gray looks at the relationship between freedom and democracy.
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Sherlock Holmes and the Romance of Reason
John Gray reflects on the enduring appeal of Sherlock Holmes' powers of deduction.
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Climate for Culture
John Gray reflects on the climate needed for culture to thrive.
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Price of a Postage Stamp
Philosopher John Gray wonders what bulk buying of stamps tells us about economic gloom.
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The Paradox of Immortality
John Gray reflects on the paradox of immortality as captured by the writer Theodore Powys.
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Keynes' Insights
John Gray takes a fresh look at the thinking of John Maynard Keynes.
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Why humans are violent
John Gray reflects on the nature of violence as an inevitable part of the human condition.
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The curse of a ridiculous name
Adam Gopnik muses on life when - like him - you've been lumbered with a funny name.
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Nazis - Gopnik's Amendment
Adam Gopnik reflects on our continuing obsession with the Nazis.
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What to do about a bad review
Adam Gopnik ruminates on how to handle a bad review.
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Beatle Time
Adam Gopnik celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Beatles.
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Adam Gopnik: Embarrassing Parents: The Thirteen-Year-Old Truth
Adam Gopnik reflects on embarrassing, ridiculous and annoying parents - like himself!
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On Bees and Being
Adam Gopnik muses on why Shakespeare didn't seem to know that the top bee is a girl bee.
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Will Self: A right loyal toast
A week before the jubilee, Will Self reflects on the tradition of the Loyal Toast.
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Europe and my quadriga-spotting tour
Will Self ponders the future of Europe, as he stands by Berlin's Brandenburg gate.
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Military matters
Will Self asks what can drive political leaders into the arms of the military.
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Lords, lordlings and....crumpets
Will Self explores Lords reform and the narrowing of the range of British political choice
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The rights of humans... and animals
Will Self asks whether 'human rights' really exist, when they can so easily be taken away.
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Challenging Intellect
Will Self says we should embrace the intellectual challenge of difficult books and art.
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Jubilee Celebrations
David Cannadine reflects on the history of royal jubilee celebrations.