tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post8036871590587647805..comments2024-03-29T07:14:55.029+00:00Comments on All That Is Solid ...: Defending Decayed DemocracyPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-44880229845160898942019-04-17T21:24:17.655+01:002019-04-17T21:24:17.655+01:00@ Speedy
Actually the 'X-factorisation of pol...@ Speedy<br /><br />Actually the 'X-factorisation of politics, following the polls as if it was a beauty contest' pretty much sums up centrist strategy between the mid 80s and the mid 10s, stressing the need as it did that 'power' was everything and you had to do all that was possible to win the support of the 'average voter', a mythical creature who was both feted and feared.<br /><br />Then, all of sudden, centrists lost their ability to divine the wishes of the 'average voter', and now 'populism' was worse than Hitler and Stalin combined, Russian bots were controlling the world, and politicians needed to be 'statesmanlike' and responsible rather than chasing base instincts.<br /><br /><br />Rather proves Phil's point. Ben Philliskirknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-57057879808829976352019-04-17T08:05:14.733+01:002019-04-17T08:05:14.733+01:00"It's not that liberal democracy is being..."It's not that liberal democracy is being replaced. It's them who are."<br /><br />By a political class equally deluded and convinced of its righteousness? <br /><br />Whether its Momentum or The Brexit Party - each are convinced they know what's best for the party and country (in that order) but in fact pursue their narrow interests, backed up by self-supporting beliefs. <br /><br />The real crisis in Labour is currently over Europe, which most of the new membership want to stay in and the "old" leadership of Lexiters want to leave. Here we have a classic tension between two unreconcilables, and also the delicious paradox between the old ideology of the leadership and the off-the-shelf opinions of new members who loathe all New Labour stood for, as much as they loathe the prejudices of most ordinary folk (blind to their own). <br /><br />Which brings us the Brexiters - a mix of old style aristocracy jealous at the loss of its power and prestige, and swivel-eyed "free market" ideologues. <br /><br />All these currently dominate the political debate and social media, but entertainment value should not be confused with the real-life concerns of everyday politics and people. What is interesting is the dissonance between these issues (Europe, identity and posture politics) and the bread of butter of daily living. Elections are increasingly decided on "showbusiness" issues while the dreary real world that Collins discusses is dismissed by the media, politicians, and voters alike. But of course, this is where the real struggle is - for fairer education, access to work, opportunities etc. <br /><br />You appear to have bought into this X Factorisation of politics, following the polls as if it was a beauty contest and dismissing (yawn) centrism, but impractical populist ideologies will not end well and will simply lead to further disillusion. The present is the past - it just hasn't realised it yet. <br /><br />Speedynoreply@blogger.com