Available online
Description
This programme examines the decision to create The Open University. It traces the development of Harold Wilson's idea of the 'University of the Air' which he first mooted at the Labour Party Confer...ence of 1963. The programme continues to explore how Harold Wilson's idea was actually put into practice, through interviews with those very closely involved: Jennie Lee, John Scupham, Ralph Toomey, Tony Benn, Lord Perry, Sir Hugh Carlton-Greene and Lord Goodman. The programme analyses in detail the constraints to pursuing the policy of an Open University from the point of view of Treasury opposition, DES opposition and the concerns of the BBC, Post Office and IBA. It then explores the mechanism that in fact allowed the idea to become policy through the workings of the DES, the importance of the Prime Minister and the importance of the Advisory and Planning Committees. The programme examines in some detail the negotiations with the BBC on airtime and on the final funding of the Open University. The programme uses the political interests model of decision making to structure the programme and so examines the decision from a political interests standpoint.
This programme examines the decision to create The Open University. It traces the development of Harold Wilson's idea of the 'University of the Air' which he first mooted at the Labour Party Confer...ence of 1963. The programme continues to explore how Harold Wilson's idea was actually put into practice, through interviews with those very closely involved: Jennie Lee, John Scupham, Ralph Toomey, Tony Benn, Lord Perry, Sir Hugh Carlton-Greene and Lord Goodman. The programme analyses in detail the constraints to pursuing the policy of an Open University from the point of view of Treasury opposition, DES opposition and the concerns of the BBC, Post Office and IBA. It then explores the mechanism that in fact allowed the idea to become policy through the workings of the DES, the importance of the Prime Minister and the importance of the Advisory and Planning Committees. The programme examines in some detail the negotiations with the BBC on airtime and on the final funding of the Open University. The programme uses the political interests model of decision making to structure the programme and so examines the decision from a political interests standpoint.
| Module code and title: | D208, Decision Making in Britain |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D208; 06 |
| Recording date: | 22/03/1983 |
| First transmission date: | 06/03/1983 |
| Published: | 1983 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OUDA web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:24:12 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Eleanor Morris |
| Presenter: | David Greengrass |
| Contributors: | Tony Benn; Jennie Lee; Ralph Toomey; Walter Perry; Hugh Carlton-Greene; Harold Wilson; John Scupham; Arnold Goodman |
| Publisher: | The Open University |
| Subject terms: | Distance education--Administration; Educational planning; Distance education students; Individualised instruction; Television in education; Radio in education; Open University - History; |
| Production number: | FOUD213X |
| Videofinder number: | 53 |
| Available to public: | no |
