Oxford and the Making of the British Ruling Class
Current Affairs7 Jul 2022

Oxford and the Making of the British Ruling Class

Financial Times journalist Simon Kuper's book Chums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK argues that in order to understand how power works in the UK, you have to examine Oxford University, where most of its prime ministers are educated. The university has long functioned as the springboard to power for aspiring UK politicians, and Kuper takes us inside this insidious clubhouse, delivering a "searing critique of the British ruling class." Kuper argues that Brexit, far from being a "populist" revolt, would not have been possible without Oxford-educated Tory elites who were in search of a grand political project. Kuper discusses the disturbingly reactionary culture of the Oxford that nurtured Boris Johnson (as well as its low intellectual standards), and explains why—although certain improvements have been made—he believes the university should stop teaching undergrads altogether in order to diversity the pool of backgrounds of those who end up in British politics.

The clip at the beginning is taken from the 1981 Granada Television adaptation of Brideshead Revisited, which Kuper says many Oxford students in Thatcher-era Britain watched and consciously tried to emulate.

The Guardian's review of Chums is here. Nathan's own article on the life and career of Boris Johnson is here.

Episoder(600)

Candace Owens and the Decay of the American Brain

Candace Owens and the Decay of the American Brain

How can someone so delusional attract an audience of millions? What does it say about us that Owens is listened to by anyone other than a psychiatrist?🧿 Read the article: https://www.currentaffairs.o...

16 Des 202528min

MAGA Megadonors Are Recruiting Mayors to Criminalize Pro-Palestine Speech

MAGA Megadonors Are Recruiting Mayors to Criminalize Pro-Palestine Speech

Right-wing megadonors flew mayors to an all-expenses-paid summit in New Orleans, where they pushed a policy framework that codified mainstream criticism of Israel as “antisemitic.”📰 Read the article:...

11 Des 202531min

Why Democrats Keep Failing Working People (w/ Nina Turner)

Why Democrats Keep Failing Working People (w/ Nina Turner)

Nina Turner is a former Ohio State Senator, national co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, and one of the most forceful advocates for working-class politics in the United States. She...

10 Des 202539min

Anthony Fantano on the Exploitative Music Industry and Zohran's Rap Career

Anthony Fantano on the Exploitative Music Industry and Zohran's Rap Career

Anthony Fantano is the biggest music critic on YouTube, and the self-described “internet’s busiest music nerd.” The New York Times calls him “The Only Music Critic Who Matters (if You’re Under 25),” a...

5 Des 202544min

There Have to Be Consequences For Advocating Illegal Wars

There Have to Be Consequences For Advocating Illegal Wars

📰 Email help@currentaffairs.org with proof of your New York Times cancellation, and we will gift you a FREE one-year digital subscription to Current AffairsYet again, the New York Times’ Bret Stephen...

26 Nov 202519min

Dick Cheney's Legacy Is Mass Murder (w/ Adam McKay)

Dick Cheney's Legacy Is Mass Murder (w/ Adam McKay)

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mark the passing of a professional liar, war criminal, and mass murderer. Dick Cheney is dead. As you read this, his co-conspirator George W. Bush may be ...

20 Nov 202545min

Why Everything is Getting Worse (w/ Cory Doctorow)

Why Everything is Getting Worse (w/ Cory Doctorow)

Cory Doctorow is the author of over 20 books, including The Internet Con, How to Destroy Surveillance Capitalism, and the science fiction novels Unauthorized Bread and Down and Out in the Magic Kingdo...

18 Nov 20251h 5min

The Silencing of Me

The Silencing of Me

🌹 Sign up for our FREE newsletter, State of Affairs, and we’ll send a digital copy of The Silencing of Me straight to your inbox: https://www.currentaffairs.org/newsletter?hsCtaAttrib=199589517656PAP...

14 Nov 20251h 38min

Populært innen Humor

rss-spartsklubben
papaya
enkel-servering
harm-og-hegseth
tore-og-haralds-podkast
storefri-med-mikkel-og-herman
tusvik-tnne
topp-3-med-wold-og-fladseth
ma-pa-behandling-med-morten-ramm
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
misjonen-med-antonsen-og-golden
folk-flest-med-linn-og-nils
wolfgang-wee-uncut
hanna-de-heldige
jan-thomas-og-einar-blir-venner
verdens-verste
rss-det-alle-snakker-om-med-siri-og-kim
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
gutta-backer
rss-snorre-med-gaute