tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post7011935473861904205..comments2024-03-29T09:14:53.583+00:00Comments on All That Is Solid ...: Toward a Sociology of Elite Policy FormationPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-37971915694739928642010-07-30T11:30:18.804+01:002010-07-30T11:30:18.804+01:00Excellent points well made, Boffy. As we discussed...Excellent points well made, Boffy. As we discussed the other day there's too much mechanical and fantastic thinking on the far left, so it's small wonder we find the most clunky and determinist ideas knocking about the 57 varieties.<br /><br />James, there's a good chance I'll meet Ed Miliband tomorrow - apart from a particular question I have for him I will try and see to what extent he accepts or sees himself influence by his dad's work.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-4575733664665760042010-07-26T10:48:23.733+01:002010-07-26T10:48:23.733+01:00What is so interesting about insider accounts is t...What is so interesting about insider accounts is the small details - though it would appear that Jacobs is keen to provide a social science perspective, I am immediately attracted to a subjective aspect of this story which might have tipped the balance: that the Milibands served as environment/energy ministers and will perhaps have been more familiar traditional analyses of power structures and social change.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11443724356434212172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-57989666774055410092010-07-26T01:23:40.443+01:002010-07-26T01:23:40.443+01:00Interesting. I think it was Roosevelt who once sai...Interesting. I think it was Roosevelt who once said to a delegation of union and community leaders, "I agree with everything you want. Now go out and force me to do it".Next Lefthttp://nextleft2010.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-2873821557887109132010-07-25T22:55:50.607+01:002010-07-25T22:55:50.607+01:00Phil,
Very interesting topic. I think the proble...Phil,<br /><br />Very interesting topic. I think the problem with the standard Marxist analysis is that it conflates, or at least confuses the State with Government. You can see it in Lenin who never really understood western parliamentary democracy, and at times comes close to describing it as some kind of organised conspiracy. Not surprising given the experience in Russia.<br /><br /><br />I have suggested previously that its necessary to think in terms of three sources of power. A social/economic power; State power; and Governmental Power. Of these the first is primary. But, there is no mechanical relation. Take Britain. The state became a Capitalist State at the end of the 17th Century, and that was due to the fact that a growing bourgeoisie had won over decisive sections of society to its ideas. Those ideas dominated the Universities etc. where the State functionaries were trained and socialised.<br /><br />But, the bourgeoisie did not exercise Governmental power. In fact, they didn't achieve that properly until the end of the 19th century, prior to which parliament was dominated by the Landlords and aristos. It didn't matter because the State still operated to protect Capital.<br /><br />I think its necessary to see each sphere having a certain autonomy, and its necessary to understand concretely in each instance how they interact. Obviously, I continue to see the State power as decisive. Its possible to be economically and socially dominant, and yet not have control of the State. That may be the case in respect of the bourgeoisie in China and Russia at the moment.<br /><br />Were workers socially dominant in Chile under Allende? They didn't own or control the means of production, which is a good guage, but social power can come from numbers properly and consciously organised. Either way the translation of that into Governmental power, did not outweigh the fact that the bouregoisie continued to control the State.<br /><br />I think its an area that requires a lot more analysis.Boffyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08157650969929097569noreply@blogger.com