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Dr James Barber, Reader in Political Science at the Open University, looks at the politics of Northern Ireland in the late 1960's in terms of one continuing problem of government which has captu...red the attention of political philosophy - the conflict that can exist between maintaining social order and providing civil liberty for the individual. He talks to John Hume, MP, a civil rights leader, the Rev. Ian Paisley, MP, a Protestant leader, and The Rt. Hon Robert Porter MP, a former Minister of Home Affairs. Each gives his view of liberty and order in the context of civil disturbances which led to the despatch of British troops to the province Finally Dr Barber asks Peter Laslett, of Trinity College, Cambridge, to assess the significance of the events in Ulster in the light of political philosophy.
Dr James Barber, Reader in Political Science at the Open University, looks at the politics of Northern Ireland in the late 1960's in terms of one continuing problem of government which has captu...red the attention of political philosophy - the conflict that can exist between maintaining social order and providing civil liberty for the individual. He talks to John Hume, MP, a civil rights leader, the Rev. Ian Paisley, MP, a Protestant leader, and The Rt. Hon Robert Porter MP, a former Minister of Home Affairs. Each gives his view of liberty and order in the context of civil disturbances which led to the despatch of British troops to the province Finally Dr Barber asks Peter Laslett, of Trinity College, Cambridge, to assess the significance of the events in Ulster in the light of political philosophy.
| Module code and title: | D100, Understanding society: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D100; 02; 1972 |
| First transmission date: | 17-10-1971 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:11 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Michael Philps |
| Contributors: | James Barber; John R. Hume; Peter Laslett; Ian Paisley |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Northern Ireland; Politics |
| Footage description: | James Barber in an addition to the programme points out that changes have occurred in the Northern Ireland situation since the programme was made. Michael Drake presents the original introduction outlining the purpose of the programme. Portrait of Hobbes shown on screen; followed by photograph portrait of John Stuart Mill. Photograph portrait of Albert Camms. Barber reviews the criteria of government established by Mill and Hobbes. He approaches the problem of individual liberty when the latter cannot be reconciled with order. The case study will be Northern Ireland in the late 1960s. The brief historical outline of events in Ulster up to the late 1960s is recounted over film, of the riots in Ulster. Barber introduces the interviews that he had with John Hume, Ian Paisley and Robert Porter. The purpose of the interviews was to try to discover what each meant by liberty in the context of Northern Ireland and what relationship each saw between liberty and order. John Hume. Ian Paisley. Robert Porter. James Barber briefly resumes the tendency of the arguments before Robert Porter is accorded the last word in the interview sequence. Robert Porter. Ian Paisley John Hugie Ian Paisley. Barber introduces the analysis stage of the programme. He makes a few preliminary observations before introducing Peter Laslett. To illustrate his points James Barber builds up simple models on a magnetic board. The models illustrate the probable perception by one group (i.e. Civil Rights Protestant or Government) of the roles of the others. Peter Laslett is introduced. Some attempt will be made to see whether the political philosophers have any relevance to the Northern Ireland situation Barber closes the programme. |
| Master spool number: | 6LT/10032 |
| Production number: | 00521_1202 |
| Videofinder number: | 412 |
| Available to public: | yes |
