POWER

Tony Benn

In this lecture Tony Benn describes the historic demand for democratic control and the opposition which it has always faced in Britain and world-wide.

He argues that democracy, which potentially confers real power on the hitherto powerless, is and always has been seen as a threat by those at the top who have power and fear that they may lose it.

He draws a comparison between Communism and Capitalism, under both it being possible to pick the leaders, but much harder to discuss the systems or to challenge their basic assumptions - a characteristic shared in nations where religious organizations are in power.

He draws attention to the impact of globalization and the media upon existing democratic institutions and suggests some ways in which greater democratic control over those with power might be secured, here and worldwide.