One Pair of Eyes — Season 1, Episode 68: Paul Johnson: The Road to Ruritania

Episode synopsis

During the lifetime of most of us Britain has moved into the ranks of the second-class powers. The decline in our power and influence continues. You could say we're on the road to Ruritania. In the latest in this series of highly personal films, Paul Johnson - journalist, broadcaster and author of a widely acclaimed history of England - gives his views on our latest dilemma. He believes we can only understand the present if we examine our past: 2,000 years of English history provide clues to our present-day difficulties over the Common Market and the economy. The historian A. J. P. Taylor , as well as Michael Foot M.P., Anthony Howard, and J. B. Priestley contribute to the programme. But the overall view is very much Johnson's own.

About One Pair of Eyes

A monthly series of highly personal documentary films in which individuals are given a platform to discuss issues close to their heart.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1James Cameron: Temporary Person Passing Through
• E2Dr Alex Comfort: A Traveller in the Dreamtime
• E3Anthony Howard: A City of Magnificent Intentions
• E4Nicholas Tomalin: No Worse Heresy
• E5James Cameron: The Road to Kingdom Come
• E6Jo Grimond: The Dead Hand of Democracy
• E7Peter Wilson: You've Got to Win
• E8Norman Parkinson: Stay Baby Stay
• E9Sir Tyrone Guthrie: Off to Philadelphia
• E10James Cameron: Berlin - The Haunted House
• E11Margaret Drabble: A Place Called Exile
• E12Claud Cockburn: One More River To Cross