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Superfast Politics

A week used to be a long time in politics. Today, an hour can feel like an eon. Rhys Jones on where the era of superfast politics has come from and where could it be heading.

A week used to be a long time in politics. Not anymore. Today, an hour can feel like an eon.

From the race against time to deliver Brexit, to the apparently near-daily earthquakes generated by the Trump presidency, we seem to be living through an era of superfast politics. But what has caused the speed-up -and where is it leading?

We live in a world of instant messaging, 24-hour news, and same day delivery. It can feel exhausting, but has it also made us impatient? And is impatience damaging our engagement with politics?

Travelling back through history, to the Reformation and the French Revolution, historian Rhys Jones explores other eras of superfast politics, and wonders whether our need for speed today is rushing us headlong towards catastrophe.

Produced by Peggy Sutton
A Somethin' Else production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

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28 minutes

Last on

Mon 26 Feb 2018 20:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Broadcasts

  • Fri 8 Dec 2017 11:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Mon 26 Feb 2018 20:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4