I have been asked on a number of occasions whether I am interested in politics and, to a certain extent, that is absolutely true. I have no interest in ‘party politics’, the partisan type of politics that defines political life in the UK. My interest lies in the study of political ideologies, the beliefs that lie at the heart of all things political and something that some political parties have turned their backs on or pay only lip service to in their dealings.
So what ideology do I subscribe to? Well, after reading a book on the subject, I found that I was most interested and had more in common with three ideologies – socialism, liberalism and anarchism. To say that I was surprised is to understate the matter for socialism and anarchism both have the underlying belief in the social, caring nature of the human race which is the complete opposite of my own personal beliefs and inclinations. I was also surprised at being drawn to liberalism for that ideology believes that the more you put into personal development, the greater your chances of ‘going up in the world’, so to speak. This is something that I do believe in but I am also a realist who knows that the world does not act in that fashion because we have created a dog eat dog world and people are now driven by the need to get ahead, stepping on or taking the credit for the work done by other people. That said, I still believe that these three ideologies have the best aspects for society and, if a workable synthesis could be derived from them, we could create a truly wonderful society.
Party politics does nothing for society as all it truly produces is a forum for arguments and back-biting between politicians of the different persuasions, leaving society unrepresented and largely ignored in the constant battles. Working together regardless of party affiliations is the way forward, concentrating on the good of society rather than the good of the party.
I am not particularly a fan of the Coalition Government now in power in the UK but the member parties are putting aside their mutual disdain for each other in what they hope is the best interests of the country although in my opinion, for what it is worth, I believe they are using the wrong methods to do so. They are, however, doing exactly what they said the coalition would do and that is usher in a new type of politics, one that ignores party politics and tries to do the best for the country as a whole. It is a bold experiment and one that deserves, nay must, succeed in order to light the way to a better future.
So what ideology do I subscribe to? Well, after reading a book on the subject, I found that I was most interested and had more in common with three ideologies – socialism, liberalism and anarchism. To say that I was surprised is to understate the matter for socialism and anarchism both have the underlying belief in the social, caring nature of the human race which is the complete opposite of my own personal beliefs and inclinations. I was also surprised at being drawn to liberalism for that ideology believes that the more you put into personal development, the greater your chances of ‘going up in the world’, so to speak. This is something that I do believe in but I am also a realist who knows that the world does not act in that fashion because we have created a dog eat dog world and people are now driven by the need to get ahead, stepping on or taking the credit for the work done by other people. That said, I still believe that these three ideologies have the best aspects for society and, if a workable synthesis could be derived from them, we could create a truly wonderful society.
Party politics does nothing for society as all it truly produces is a forum for arguments and back-biting between politicians of the different persuasions, leaving society unrepresented and largely ignored in the constant battles. Working together regardless of party affiliations is the way forward, concentrating on the good of society rather than the good of the party.
I am not particularly a fan of the Coalition Government now in power in the UK but the member parties are putting aside their mutual disdain for each other in what they hope is the best interests of the country although in my opinion, for what it is worth, I believe they are using the wrong methods to do so. They are, however, doing exactly what they said the coalition would do and that is usher in a new type of politics, one that ignores party politics and tries to do the best for the country as a whole. It is a bold experiment and one that deserves, nay must, succeed in order to light the way to a better future.
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