Synopsis

Recorded in front of an audience at the Sage in Gateshead, Rana Mitter hosts a public debate as part of the 2009 Free Thinking festival of ideas: Is The West Losing Its Nerve?

The West has been the world's dominant economic and cultural force for nearly 500 years. But with the rise of India and China as economic and cultural powers, and American and European industries struggling in the recession, are we witnessing its decline? Or is the West just the victim of a loss of self-confidence?

The varied panel arguing this key question for our time includes guests philosopher and defender of the Enlightenment AC Grayling, international business entrepreneur Paul Callaghan, professor of politics Baroness Haleh Afshar and sculptor Alexander Stoddart, who is well known for his defence of classical cultural values.