PRINCE CHARLES'S TOUR DE FORCE

The heir to the British throne delivers the 2009 Richard Dimbleby Lecture and makes credible connections between market fundamentalism, greed, inequality and social deprivation, rampant consumerism and environmental destruction.

Prince Charles has for long been known for his strong views on a wide spectrum of topics ranging from spiritualism, homeopathic medicine and architecture. His mannerisms and some of his views have created a reputation for being rather quirky - and have raised hackles in the medical and architectural worlds.

In 2009, he was invited to deliver the Richard Dimbleby Lecture to an invited audience drawn mainly from the media. This lecture is an annual event in memory of the great political commentator and broadcaster.

Prince Charles ranges over many familiar issues, but on this occasion, makes powerful connections between elements of a system of forces that are causing economic, environmental and social destruction on a massive scale. He comments with passion on greed, rampant consumerism and environmental destruction; but also traces these symptoms to deeper causes in the driving philosophies that have shaped the modern world - in particular market fundamentalism and all that philosophy has brought on the world.

The lecture is delivered in his own inimitable style and in the dialect of the English upper class, but these peccadilloes are worth tolerating for the powerful content.

The lecture can be seen below, or through the Royal Channel on YouTube