Conservatism, Philanthropy, Liberal and socialist futures

Edmund Fawcett's latest book focuses on the historic and contemporary conflicts in Conservatism. He describes how the constant tensions within the Conservative political thought have been exposed and what it might mean for the continuation of the tradition.

Paul Vallely argues that philanthropy is about more than mere altruism. It is always an expression of power, regardless of any desire to make the world a better place. He discusses the contradictions at the heart of philanthropy from the Greeks to modern philanthrocapitalists - and how philanthropy might still do good.

Ian Dunt and Grace Blakeley have written about the challenges facing Liberals and Socialists respectively. They discuss how these big intellectual traditions might survive contact with the current moment.

Conservatism: The Fight for a Tradition by Edmund Fawcett is published by Princeton University Press

Philanthropy: From Aristotle to Zuckerberg by Paul Vallely is published by Bloomsbury

How to be a Liberal: Thinking for Yourself in a Populist World by Ian Dunt is published by Canbury Press

Socialist Futures: The Pandemic and the Post-Corbyn Era edited by Grace Blakeley is published by Verso

The Corona Crash: How the Pandemic Will Change Capitalism by Grace Blakeley is published by Verso

Producer: Ruth Watts