What we’re about
If you're new to the area or are looking to expand your social circle with like minded people who enjoy thinking about life a little more deeply, then this is the group for you.
Each week we choose a topic based on philosophy, psychology or sociology, to informally discuss and debate in a central Cambridge location (in summer by the river, and in winter in a coffee shop or pub). During the summer, the topic and venue are announced on Tues or Weds, once we have an idea of Sunday's weather forecast.
Example areas we discuss include:
How we construct our identity, consumerism, time, what is right or wrong, how to lead a good life, how society forces us to conform and 'fit in'
We're always looking for interesting subjects to discuss, so do make suggestions. You don't have to lead the discussion but you're welcome to if you'd like.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Who sustains the rule of law? (Venue A: Caffè Nero)Caffè Nero, Cambridge
THE VENUE: Caffè Nero
Rain is currently forecast for Sunday, but things may change. So, the default is to meet indoors but please look out for updates before you leave home.
When we meet inside, we run the same event in two locations: Caffè Nero and Starbucks, so as to provide capacity for as many people who would like to attend. Thus, there will be two events published, and you can choose which one to attend. Please don't sign up for both. This event is for the Nero location.
We meet upstairs at Caffè Nero. An organiser will be present from 10.45. We are not charged for use of the space so it would be good if everyone bought at least one drink.
An attendee limit has been set so as not to overwhelm the venue.
Etiquette
Our discussions are friendly and open. We are a discussion group, not a for-and-against debating society. But it helps if we try to stay on topic. And we should not talk over others, interrupt them, or try to dominate the conversation.There is often a waiting list for places, so please cancel your attendance as soon as possible if you subsequently find you can't come.
WhatsApp groups
We have two WhatsApp groups. One is to notify events, including extra events such as meeting for a meal or a drink during the week which we don't normally put on the Meetup site. The other is for open discussion of whatever topics occur to people. If you would like to join either or both groups, please send a note of the phone number you would like to use to Richard Baron on: website.audible238@passmail.net. (This is an alias that can be discarded if it attracts spam, hence the odd words.)THE TOPIC: Who sustains the rule of law?
Thank you to Miguel for suggesting this week's topic and for providing this introduction.
In our society, we enjoy a somewhat guaranteed list of rights and assurance of safety. We also know that we are entitled to set of processes under suspicion of breaking the law. But who is responsible to make sure these rights are not eroded?
We pay taxes that pay for the police and judicial services, so the government could be the responsible party. However historically, governments have not always held this promise.
Is the judiciary responsible? Can judges, with the powers given to them, enforce the rule of law? Can their powers be overridden?
Or is it the people? How can the people ensure that the rule of law is followed? Is the democratic vote enough?
Unlike natural laws, the rule of law is a human construct that requires nurturing and vigilance. It seems to inevitably work based on trust and it’s not easily guaranteed. Some countries have had the rule of law for centuries and it has, for the most part, been maintained and withstood the test of time. However, in many countries, the rule of law is not guaranteed or has been eroded. So, who is responsible for sustaining it and what can be done to make sure it doesn’t fail?
This topic was borrowed from an article published in February 2025 in the Harvard Gazette: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/02/who-sustains-the-rule-of-law
And here’s the definition of rule of law according to the Encyclopædia Britannica: "the mechanism, process, institution, practice, or norm that supports the equality of all citizens before the law, secures a nonarbitrary form of government, and more generally prevents the arbitrary use of power".
- Who sustains the rule of law? (Venue B: Starbucks)Starbucks Coffee, Cambridge
THE VENUE: Starbucks
Rain is currently forecast for Sunday, but things may change. So, the default is to meet indoors but please look out for updates before you leave home.
When we meet inside, we run the same event in two locations: Caffè Nero and Starbucks, so as to provide capacity for as many people who would like to attend. Thus, there will be two events published, and you can choose which one to attend. Please don't sign up for both. This event is for the Starbucks location.
We meet upstairs at Starbucks. An organiser or regular attendee will be present from 10.45. We are not charged for use of the space so it would be good if everyone bought at least one drink.
An attendee limit has been set so as not to overwhelm the venue.
Etiquette
Our discussions are friendly and open. We are a discussion group, not a for-and-against debating society. But it helps if we try to stay on topic. And we should not talk over others, interrupt them, or try to dominate the conversation.There is often a waiting list for places, so please cancel your attendance as soon as possible if you subsequently find you can't come.
WhatsApp groups
We have two WhatsApp groups. One is to notify events, including extra events such as meeting for a meal or a drink during the week which we don't normally put on the Meetup site. The other is for open discussion of whatever topics occur to people. If you would like to join either or both groups, please send a note of the phone number you would like to use to Richard Baron on: website.audible238@passmail.net. (This is an alias that can be discarded if it attracts spam, hence the odd words.)THE TOPIC: Who sustains the rule of law?
Thank you to Miguel for suggesting this week's topic and for providing this introduction.
In our society, we enjoy a somewhat guaranteed list of rights and assurance of safety. We also know that we are entitled to set of processes under suspicion of breaking the law. But who is responsible to make sure these rights are not eroded?
We pay taxes that pay for the police and judicial services, so the government could be the responsible party. However historically, governments have not always held this promise.
Is the judiciary responsible? Can judges, with the powers given to them, enforce the rule of law? Can their powers be overridden?
Or is it the people? How can the people ensure that the rule of law is followed? Is the democratic vote enough?
Unlike natural laws, the rule of law is a human construct that requires nurturing and vigilance. It seems to inevitably work based on trust and it’s not easily guaranteed. Some countries have had the rule of law for centuries and it has, for the most part, been maintained and withstood the test of time. However, in many countries, the rule of law is not guaranteed or has been eroded. So, who is responsible for sustaining it and what can be done to make sure it doesn’t fail?
This topic was borrowed from an article published in February 2025 in the Harvard Gazette: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/02/who-sustains-the-rule-of-law
And here’s the definition of rule of law according to the Encyclopædia Britannica: "the mechanism, process, institution, practice, or norm that supports the equality of all citizens before the law, secures a nonarbitrary form of government, and more generally prevents the arbitrary use of power".
