Poet. Polemicist. Statesman.
Who was John Milton?
‘School of Thought’ is the IEA discussion series based on ‘101 Great Liberal Thinkers’ by Dr Eamonn Butler. Each week, Syed Kamall - IEA Research Director - discusses classical liberalism’s role in bringing the modern world into existence, profiling the lives and ideas of some of the leading thinkers on individual liberty and examining their relevance today.
In this week’s episode, Syed sits down with Dan Hannan, author, columnist, and President of the Initiative for Free Trade, to discuss John Milton.
Best known for his religious epic Paradise Lost (1667), Milton also argued for the legality and morality of divorce, religious toleration and setting the church free from the political authorities. He stressed the political equality of individuals and saw government as an implied contract between rulers and the people. Milton advocated free speech and freedom of conscience (at least among Protestants), believing that people can distinguish right from wrong if they can hear the competing arguments in open debate. ‘Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely’, he wrote, ‘according to conscience above all liberties’. After the execution of Charles I in 1649, Milton became a polemicist for the incoming republican government of Oliver Cromwell. But he soon became an open critic of the autocratic Cromwell, urging him to respect his regime’s implied contract with the people. Though no democrat, he dreamt of creating a more liberal republic (a ‘free commonwealth’); but in fact the monarchy was restored.
Adrian Chiles Opens Up About Personal Drinking Journey | Swift Half with Snowdon
Unlocking Singapore's Economic Miracle: Insights from Bryan Cheang
Unleashing Britain's Entrepreneurs: how can Britain become more entrepreneurial?
The Roman Economy: Pandemic, Slavery & Trade Networks
How Countries Successfully Escape Poverty: Lessons from free-market economies
Outrageous Attempts to Limit Smokers' Rights | The Swift Half with Snowdon
China, Britain & Trump: How should Britain deal with China?
Behind the Curtain: Should AI be more Transparent?
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Prohibition | The Swift Half with Snowdon
How the free-market can increase social mobility in the UK
ESG, Sustainability, and Social Justice: Should they be the priority?
How the Spring Budget Affects the UK Economy
Stop The Tobacco Ban & Libertarianism | The Swift Half with Snowdon
What's the Real Impact of Brexit?
Death of Globalisation: Trump, Biden & China Examined with The Economist's Callum Williams
How the World Became RICH
Housing Crisis Unpacked: Will Gove's Housing Reforms make a Difference? | IEA Podcast
Are We Ready for Disaster? In Conversation with Dr Stephen Davies
UK Recession 2024 | IEA Podcast
Will Banning Under 16s from Social Media Stop Hate Crime? | IEA Podcast
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Matters of Policy & Politics
Right Side Patriots RSP Radio Podcasts
Never Mind The Bar Charts
X22 Report
Verdict with Ted Cruz