ENRICHMENT

Electoral Realignment

Dr Stephen Davies entertained the Politics Society with a lecture explaining how and why parties realign and change their political viewpoints. In a fascinating exposition of how society functions, he talked about why all governments around the world were struggling to be re-elected this year and why challenges were evolving for them. He offered favourable predictions for the Republican party in the USA and unfavourable ones for the Conservatives, here in the UK; explaining how the new ‘cosmopolitan open’ and ‘nationalist closed’ salient views of the voters would merge into the former and quite probably split the latter.

Cicero Pro Caelio

Dr Elizabeth McKnight from University College London recently addressed the Hylocomian Society on the subject of Cicero's Pro Caelio, focusing on the trial of Marcus Caelius Rufus and Cicero’s masterful use of rhetoric to defend his client. In her lecture, Dr McKnight explored the themes of innocence and political intrigue, questioning whether Caelius was truly an innocent abroad or a political assassin.

She explained how Cicero, skilfully attacked the prosecution by parodying their witnesses as stock comic figures. This technique was a clever rhetorical strategy that not only undermined the credibility of the witnesses but also showcased Cicero’s ability to turn the courtroom into a stage for dramatic effect. By employing this dramatic flair, Cicero not only defended his client but also illustrated his own legal genius, showing how rhetoric and performance could shape the outcome of a case.

Dr McKnight’s talk shed light on Cicero’s brilliant manipulation of language and his role as Rome’s most famous orator, revealing the intricate connection between law, politics, and public persona in ancient Rome.

Leadership in the Army

Lt. Col. Adam Shindler's (OA 2002) recent lecture provided a comprehensive and thought-provoking view of leadership within the army. Drawing from his extensive career and personal experiences, he shared valuable lessons on what it takes to be an effective leader in the military, offering a roadmap that can inspire future leaders both within and outside the Armed Forces.

Shindler reflected on his military career, noting that his journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to service and leadership. One of the key concepts he highlighted was the idea of leading with care. He explained that a great leader is not just a commander but someone who understands the human element. Leadership, according to him, requires empathy, listening, and understanding the challenges soldiers face on a daily basis. In his lecture, he introduced the essential pillars of leadership: what leaders do, know, and are. He outlined a leadership framework built on effective and efficient leadership, emphasising the importance of leading with competence, collaboration and compassion.