Democracy could fall
There are two key events in the UK at the moment.
The limit on the funding of social democracy by debt ( lets not kid ourselves by blaming banks & Capitalism - though the BBC is doing its best, especially on Radio 4 - the problem, as the Chinese have correctly pointed out, is our social settlement. Its unaffordable and the alternative is unpalatable ( not because its heartless or even less effective, but because of vested interests in the state provision of public services ).
I've said on twitter that debt is the crystal meth of democracy, and so it is turning out. It is perhaps no coincidence that the greatest crisis is in Greece, the home of democracy.
And yet in other areas democracy fails. The European Union and similar international bodies / treaties that constrain the government of the UK are spectacularly unpopular. And yet on Monday we will see the sight of all three main party political leaders denying the majorities wishes. Again democracy fails.
And now with semi-authoritarian regimes like China as competition, its no longer clear that democracy will win out.
We need to take a long hard look about how democracy functions, and how our politics functions. If measures aren't taken soon then democracy will no longer be guaranteed in this country.
The limit on the funding of social democracy by debt ( lets not kid ourselves by blaming banks & Capitalism - though the BBC is doing its best, especially on Radio 4 - the problem, as the Chinese have correctly pointed out, is our social settlement. Its unaffordable and the alternative is unpalatable ( not because its heartless or even less effective, but because of vested interests in the state provision of public services ).
I've said on twitter that debt is the crystal meth of democracy, and so it is turning out. It is perhaps no coincidence that the greatest crisis is in Greece, the home of democracy.
And yet in other areas democracy fails. The European Union and similar international bodies / treaties that constrain the government of the UK are spectacularly unpopular. And yet on Monday we will see the sight of all three main party political leaders denying the majorities wishes. Again democracy fails.
And now with semi-authoritarian regimes like China as competition, its no longer clear that democracy will win out.
We need to take a long hard look about how democracy functions, and how our politics functions. If measures aren't taken soon then democracy will no longer be guaranteed in this country.
3 comments:
Once upon a time, not so long ago, debt was to be frowned upon and avoided like the plague, since you youngsters (little fucking knowitalls) have taken over debt is the god, and you stupid little buggers blame the "boomers" laugh, my sides are splitting.
i have for a long time thought the same thing.
No democracy whilst we are in the EU. Maybe if we are out, as well, but I for one would take my chances on that.
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