During the late 19th Century, Local Authorities found that by building hospitals, schools and Libraries, they could make significant improvements particularly to the lives of the poor. Liberal Politicians such as Gladstone and Joseph Chamberlain provided leadership at central and local level, for instance Chamberlain as mayor of Birmingham radically transformed housing and public buildings as well as using the proceeds of gas and water sales to invest back in the city facilities e.g. municipal socialism. Also Surveys in the late 19th century by Rowntree and Booth suggested that many people were in abstract poverty and simply didn’t have sufficient means to help themselves if they wanted to. As a result some liberals were looking for state intervention, the most prominent, Thomas Hill Green who was a professor of Philosophy at Oxford. Green developed what he called a more positive concept of freedom, the Classical liberals regarded freedom as a more negative thing, for instance the absence of the interference of the state or someone taking your property away or being locked up in Jail, Green however believed there was more to this, freedom is not merely about being left along but is the positive ability of doing something e.g. if a child is born into poverty without access to good health or education e.t.c, he cannot be truly free, because his freedom will be constrained by his lack of social opportunity. Green also argued that we are not truly free if we don’t have a sense of caring or obligation because like Rousseau he believed that we would be enslaved in our own personal pursuit of interest. Leonard Hobhouse 1864-1929 could be described as being at the socialist end of the New Liberal movement. Hobhouse argued that the poor and low paid workers had no control over the operation of capitalism, therefore not free but subject to economic forces beyond their control, it was up to the state to free these forces by ensuring a decent standard of living and the right to work. These can be described as social rights rather than economic and political rights.
One of the most renowned liberal thinkers was JA Hobson. Hobson had a more positive interpretation of the role of the state. Hobson in his famous book on imperialism argued that capitalism suffered from the periodic problem of “overproduction,” whereby consumption within society had been satisfied and therefore producers had to look for oversees markets which was often made by building up an empire and conquest. This would lead to periodic crisis within capitalism due to a lack of demand leading to unemployment and social distress. Hobson argued that the state could intervene to stimulate demand during trade depressions by boosting the buying power of the working classes by providing jobs and basic skills and rights to housing and education. The role of the state was to provide economic stability which makes everyone free through a lack of a boom and bust economy but also a freedom away from conflicts.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Why Julian Assange shouldn't be extradited.
Reading the news today I was not so surprised to find out that Julian Assange was to be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault. Assange will appeal, his legal team confirmed. If this is unsuccessful, he will be extradited to Sweden in 10 days. In the name of democracy and what it stands, it just looks like a Stalinist show trial, god knows whether allegedly raped these women. As I said, in the name of democracy:
Democracy: (a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them)
If supreme power lies in the body of citizens, they are allowed to scrutinise governmental misconduct. Extraditing Assange would be a critical wound in the name of democracy and highlight the continuing misgovernment of people.
Democracy: (a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them)
If supreme power lies in the body of citizens, they are allowed to scrutinise governmental misconduct. Extraditing Assange would be a critical wound in the name of democracy and highlight the continuing misgovernment of people.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
The Idiots guide to: 'Classical Liberalism'
Context: Classical Liberalism is usually associated with early 19th century Britain again this is a wide ranging term which has some right wing and Conservative Variants e.g. Neo-Classicist ideas and some more progressive and left wing ideas particularly in the writing of Mill and Bentham. In the early 19th Century there was a reaction against the revolutionary variant of Liberalism, applied to the American and French Revolutions. In Britain this took the form of Repressive legislation such as the Anti-Trade Union Laws, the Suspension such as the Habeas Corpus and the “Peterloo” Massacre. This school of Thought was based upon the economic ideas of Adam Smith and the Political ideas of Radical Philosophers such as Bentham, James Mill and John Stuart Mill. The political variant of these ideas was the Liberal Party which generally took shape around these views (circa 1882) which were:
1. An optimistic view of Human Nature: Classical Liberals believe that Human Beings are essentially rational and the people know of their community or state, what was in their interest. Classical Liberals believe that people should make their own choices rather than their Government, both in the Economic and Political sphere; however the Human character needed to be civilised and developed through education and participation within the economy.
2. Freedom and Individual rights: John Stuart Mill (1806-73) argued that individuals should have complete freedom to do whatever they wanted as long as they did not harm others i.e. the so called “harm Principle.” He argued on Liberty, the only purpose for which rights can be powerfully exercised over any member of a civilised community against his will is to prevent harm to others. His own good either physical or moral is not a sufficient warrant.
3. Utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) developed the idea of rationality in arguing that human beings were disposed to seek pleasure and to avoid pain i.e. the Pleasure principle. While they sort what is best for themselves they frequently made mistakes, the role of Governments were to assist the individuals in making choices thus achieving in Bentham’s case,” the greatest happiness for the Greatest number. “While Bentham embraced the laissez faire economic system as Utilitarianism. He argued that most laws and political structures need reform as they reflected aristocratic privilege. He was also influential in radically reforming social services for instance he played a central role in the mines and factories, the setting up of the Poor Law in 1834. Also Bentham was keen upon Political progress such as extension of the franchise and provided ideas for the chartist ideas calling in 1809 for annual elections for parliament.
4. Representative government: These ideas were associated with James Mill (1773-1836) and Bentham and also John Stuart Mill who argued for adult male and female suffrage but at the same time, John Stuart Mill was nervous of the dangers of Democracy and particularly those of allowing ignorant people to vote. JS Mill therefore wanted a literary qualification for voting. However he did advocate educating the working classes and to give them opportunities to expand their awareness through literature and public lectures.
Minimal Government: Bentham’s ideas were opposed by many Liberals who believed that his principles were a violation of the key ideas of laissez faire economics; Liberals such as Herbert Spencer believed that welfare provision was wrong as it sheltered the poor from their behaviour. The stern lesson that Neo-Classicists such as Spencer wanted to promote was that the poorer classes would face the penalty of poverty unless they adopted the values and lifestyles of their economic superiors. These writers were influenced by the scientific theories of Charles Darwin and based upon the concept of species and Evolution and Human Progress through survival of the fittest, Samuel Smiles (1812-1904) in his best known work “self Help” argued that within the capability of individuals including the working classes to improve themselves through diligent activities and willingness to set up economic ventures, Nobody should rely on others or the state, we succeed or fall to our own efforts, this brand of self help has strong links to 1980’s Thatcherism with its anti-dependency culture and with New Labour with its encouragement of voluntarism and the importance of entrepreneurial values, particularly in poorer values.
Every few days, I will post up an idiots guide to a specific topic. Next week I'll discuss what welfare liberalism is.
1. An optimistic view of Human Nature: Classical Liberals believe that Human Beings are essentially rational and the people know of their community or state, what was in their interest. Classical Liberals believe that people should make their own choices rather than their Government, both in the Economic and Political sphere; however the Human character needed to be civilised and developed through education and participation within the economy.
2. Freedom and Individual rights: John Stuart Mill (1806-73) argued that individuals should have complete freedom to do whatever they wanted as long as they did not harm others i.e. the so called “harm Principle.” He argued on Liberty, the only purpose for which rights can be powerfully exercised over any member of a civilised community against his will is to prevent harm to others. His own good either physical or moral is not a sufficient warrant.
3. Utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) developed the idea of rationality in arguing that human beings were disposed to seek pleasure and to avoid pain i.e. the Pleasure principle. While they sort what is best for themselves they frequently made mistakes, the role of Governments were to assist the individuals in making choices thus achieving in Bentham’s case,” the greatest happiness for the Greatest number. “While Bentham embraced the laissez faire economic system as Utilitarianism. He argued that most laws and political structures need reform as they reflected aristocratic privilege. He was also influential in radically reforming social services for instance he played a central role in the mines and factories, the setting up of the Poor Law in 1834. Also Bentham was keen upon Political progress such as extension of the franchise and provided ideas for the chartist ideas calling in 1809 for annual elections for parliament.
4. Representative government: These ideas were associated with James Mill (1773-1836) and Bentham and also John Stuart Mill who argued for adult male and female suffrage but at the same time, John Stuart Mill was nervous of the dangers of Democracy and particularly those of allowing ignorant people to vote. JS Mill therefore wanted a literary qualification for voting. However he did advocate educating the working classes and to give them opportunities to expand their awareness through literature and public lectures.
Minimal Government: Bentham’s ideas were opposed by many Liberals who believed that his principles were a violation of the key ideas of laissez faire economics; Liberals such as Herbert Spencer believed that welfare provision was wrong as it sheltered the poor from their behaviour. The stern lesson that Neo-Classicists such as Spencer wanted to promote was that the poorer classes would face the penalty of poverty unless they adopted the values and lifestyles of their economic superiors. These writers were influenced by the scientific theories of Charles Darwin and based upon the concept of species and Evolution and Human Progress through survival of the fittest, Samuel Smiles (1812-1904) in his best known work “self Help” argued that within the capability of individuals including the working classes to improve themselves through diligent activities and willingness to set up economic ventures, Nobody should rely on others or the state, we succeed or fall to our own efforts, this brand of self help has strong links to 1980’s Thatcherism with its anti-dependency culture and with New Labour with its encouragement of voluntarism and the importance of entrepreneurial values, particularly in poorer values.
Every few days, I will post up an idiots guide to a specific topic. Next week I'll discuss what welfare liberalism is.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
George Osborne shelves bank tax plan..... In an Economy that's deep in the red why shelve it?!?!?!?!?
Usually at this time, I'd be watching futurama, family guy or good old fashioned Louis Theroux, yet suddenly an article caught my attention. Reading respectable news sources on the Internet I encountered the article: "George Osborne shelves bank tax plan". I was thinking to myself 'Why on earth are you shelving this?!?' For sure the economy is deep in recession, for sure there has been a rise in unemployment and for sure Cameron's idea of 'the big society' is in tatters to some extent, yet I don't seem to understand why Gorgeous George shelves an idea that can reduce the deficit. In Yesterdays blog, I highlighted the issue surrounding Barclays and their £113 Million corporation tax and laughed at how a banking company had the cheap to dodge a 27% tax even when it recorded £4.6 billion in profits.
The chancellor has instead introduced a £2.5bn-a-year bank levy which is harder to avoid.He said banks would pay "more tax, less bonuses and lend more this year than they otherwise would have done".
Whatever you say George........ To be honest, I find it hard to believe that this bank levy will pressure banks into 'paying more tax and less bonuses"
The chancellor has instead introduced a £2.5bn-a-year bank levy which is harder to avoid.He said banks would pay "more tax, less bonuses and lend more this year than they otherwise would have done".
Whatever you say George........ To be honest, I find it hard to believe that this bank levy will pressure banks into 'paying more tax and less bonuses"
Bloody Sunday.
I was watching the news today and could continually see the devastating shootings and continued protests in Iran. Deeply concerned me since I have family living there. The New York Times commented:
"Witnesses reported that ambulances were being driven into crowds and officers were making arrests. Security forces, some on motorcycles, deployed tear gas to disperse crowds near Valiasr Square. A hazy cloud of tear gas hung over Vanak Square.Out on the streets, the police in Tehran appeared to be recruiting teenagers to quell the protests on Sunday. Witnesses observed packs of young boys armed with batons, and wearing helmets and army fatigues."
Iran's party legitimacy is still too strong and opposition is still disjointed with reformers clashing ideologically with political dissidents on the left and right. Their only goal is to rid the Islamic republic, however they don't have a clear aim in what they want to achieve if they overthrow the theocracy. In order to oust the regime, they need to continue going out onto the streets, form a universal ideology (in order work together) in removing the theocratic regime.
"Witnesses reported that ambulances were being driven into crowds and officers were making arrests. Security forces, some on motorcycles, deployed tear gas to disperse crowds near Valiasr Square. A hazy cloud of tear gas hung over Vanak Square.Out on the streets, the police in Tehran appeared to be recruiting teenagers to quell the protests on Sunday. Witnesses observed packs of young boys armed with batons, and wearing helmets and army fatigues."
Iran's party legitimacy is still too strong and opposition is still disjointed with reformers clashing ideologically with political dissidents on the left and right. Their only goal is to rid the Islamic republic, however they don't have a clear aim in what they want to achieve if they overthrow the theocracy. In order to oust the regime, they need to continue going out onto the streets, form a universal ideology (in order work together) in removing the theocratic regime.
Here's something I found interesting on the BBC news website:
Unemployment Benefit: The Key Data
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published figures this morning that show a rise of 2,400 claimants. Male numbers have dropped once again but female claimants have risen for the seventh consecutive month to reach 449,200, the highest figure since October 1996.
Youth unemployment is still a big issue as the ONS revealed that one in five 16 to 24 year olds – 965,000 people – are now unemployed. We also published figures last month showing a rise in claimant count as our figures include 16 years olds upwards.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
'The Uncomfortable Truth'
From BBC News:
The UK tax authorities' relatively low take also reflects the global nature of the British bank, with the bulk of its profits coming from outside the UK.
The £4.6bn pre-tax profit announced by Barclays for 2009 does not include the £6.3bn windfall gain from its sale of its "iShares" business Barclays Global Investors in April of that year.
Barclays has revealed it paid £113m in corporation tax to the UK in 2009, 2.4% of its £4.6bn global annual profit.
Barclays said the amount of corporation tax it paid for the year included losses for the previous year. The UK tax authorities' relatively low take also reflects the global nature of the British bank, with the bulk of its profits coming from outside the UK.
The £4.6bn pre-tax profit announced by Barclays for 2009 does not include the £6.3bn windfall gain from its sale of its "iShares" business Barclays Global Investors in April of that year.
Although Barclays was not directly rescued by the UK government - unlike Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland - it has been able to borrow extremely cheaply because of the Bank of England's decision to slash interest rates, and because markets perceived that the government would not allow any big bank to fail.
Let's put this into context. And by doing so, here's the HM Revenue & Customs Corporation tax rates:
So how on earth did Barclays pay £113 million in corporation tax? surely they must pay the 27% corporation tax.... (£1.2 billion) right?
'Sticks & stones may break your bones"
Colonel Gaddafi is confronting the most serious challenge to his 42-year rule as leader of Libya by unleashing his army on unarmed protesters. Unlike the rulers of neighbouring Egypt, Gaddafi has refused to countenance the politics of disobedience, despite growing international condemnation, and the death toll of demonstrators nearing 100.
With internet services in Libya shut off for long periods, foreign journalists excluded and access already blocked to social networking sites, Gaddafi appeared determined to quell a revolt centred in the country's east, which has long suffered a policy of deliberate economic exclusion.
Foreign Secretary William Hague stated: "Governments must respond to legitimate aspirations of their people, rather than resort to the use of force, and must respect the right to peaceful protest.
"I condemn the violence in Libya, including reports of the use of heavy weapons fire and a unit of snipers against demonstrators. This is clearly unacceptable and horrifying.
"Media access has been severely restricted. The absence of TV cameras does not mean the attention of the world should not be focused on the actions of the Libyan government." (Guardian: 2011).
Using MR Thompson's theory on the fall of authoritarian regimes, we can distinctly see the rise of the strong state and weak party legitimacy, the people who once supported Gaddafi have now turned their backs on the leader. 42 Years have seen societal modernisation within Libya, leading to the population to revolt against the current regime. Political opposition on the left, right and centre have been able to forge together whilst the leadership is failing. Time will tell what happens in Libya, the concatenation effect started in Tunisia, spread to Egypt, now it's starting to spread to Bahrain, Libya and Iran in order to remove authoritarian regimes.
Note:
MR Thompson highlights 4 theories:
Political Legitimacy
Societal Modernisation
Leadership
Opposition Strategy
To Shoot or Not to Shoot: Post totalitarianism in China and Eastern Europe
Mark R. Thompson
Comparative Politics
Vol. 34, No. 1 (Oct., 2001), pp. 63-83
With internet services in Libya shut off for long periods, foreign journalists excluded and access already blocked to social networking sites, Gaddafi appeared determined to quell a revolt centred in the country's east, which has long suffered a policy of deliberate economic exclusion.
Foreign Secretary William Hague stated: "Governments must respond to legitimate aspirations of their people, rather than resort to the use of force, and must respect the right to peaceful protest.
"I condemn the violence in Libya, including reports of the use of heavy weapons fire and a unit of snipers against demonstrators. This is clearly unacceptable and horrifying.
"Media access has been severely restricted. The absence of TV cameras does not mean the attention of the world should not be focused on the actions of the Libyan government." (Guardian: 2011).
Using MR Thompson's theory on the fall of authoritarian regimes, we can distinctly see the rise of the strong state and weak party legitimacy, the people who once supported Gaddafi have now turned their backs on the leader. 42 Years have seen societal modernisation within Libya, leading to the population to revolt against the current regime. Political opposition on the left, right and centre have been able to forge together whilst the leadership is failing. Time will tell what happens in Libya, the concatenation effect started in Tunisia, spread to Egypt, now it's starting to spread to Bahrain, Libya and Iran in order to remove authoritarian regimes.
Note:
MR Thompson highlights 4 theories:
Political Legitimacy
Societal Modernisation
Leadership
Opposition Strategy
To Shoot or Not to Shoot: Post totalitarianism in China and Eastern Europe
Mark R. Thompson
Comparative Politics
Vol. 34, No. 1 (Oct., 2001), pp. 63-83