50: 50th Episode Special: Monarchy and Meaning with Leslie Brissett

We are celebrating our Golden Jubilee with the 50th episode of
Edgy Ideas and thought it appropriate to reflect on the monarchy
and its meaning. 

My guest Leslie Brissett draws on his wealth of experience in
human dynamics and as Director of Group Relations at the
Tavistock Institute to share his thoughts on what is projected
onto the monarchy from the people, and what the monarchy
represents, contains and holds for us.  

Simon is an anti-monarchist, and whilst able to admire Queen
Elizabeth's extraordinary leadership over 70 years and recognise
how the monarchy offers continuity for many, it also is highly
problematic. Simon believes it reinforces a dependency and a
"know-your-place" culture that reproduces class divisions, and
elitist power and undermines our capacity for autonomy and to
maximise our collective potential. 

Leslie and Simon ponder together the meaning of the monarchy and
explore the difference, and continuity between a matriarchy (the
Queen) and patriarchy (the King). They reflect together in a
non-partisan way, what future containment might look like without
a monarchy and what can be learnt from the monarchy, that can
help us to work towards creating the good society.  
 
Bio 

Leslie is a member of the Judiciary in England and Director of
the Group Relations Programme at the Tavistock Institute of Human
Relations and has studied human dynamics in experiential settings
in many countries. He is also the Company Secretary at TIHR. Born
in the UK, Leslie experiences life as a Citizen of the
World

More on Leslie:
https://www.tavinstitute.org/staff/leslie-brissett/