The Nasty Noughties

The 2000s were a decade of economic regeneration, expanded education, falling inequality and Dizzee Rascal.

But beneath the fleeting prosperity lurked a culture of cruelty. It was palpable in politicians’ disdain for single mothers, in the media’s vilification of chavs, and in TV producers’ obsession with pointing and laughing at just about everyone – but don’t worry, it’s only a joke.

Juliet Jacques is joined by cultural critic Owen Hatherley and Novara Media’s Ash Sarkar to talk about why the Noughties were so nasty, from TV and music to architecture and politics.