Politics..idealogical differences.

RichmondBlueRichmondBlue Posts: 21,279
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I dip in and out of this section of the DS forums from time to time. One thing puzzles me, is it now unfashionable to talk about the idealogical differences between the various factions in politics ? Do we really all inhabit this mythical "middle ground" where the deeply held principles of those on the right and left of the political spectrum have all but disappeared ?
Perhaps I'm some kind of old dinosaur, totally out of touch with modern politics. I still believe there are fundamental differences between the the parties in British politics. There are clear dividing lines, the edges may become blurred but they still exist..or at least, they should do.
Don't get me wrong, I love all the rhetoric about "one nation". I live in an affluent part of greater London, I have done well out of life and so have my children. That has not changed my core beliefs, ten minutes away I see people leading entirely different lives. mostly through no fault of their own.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that things should be different. I'm selfish, I don't really care as much as I pretend..but deep down I know something is wrong.
To me that almost encapsulates the differences between right and left thinking. Those on the right believe the status quo is inevitable, almost desirable. Despite being a self-confessed hypocrite, I believe we could change things and create a more equal society..but I just can't be bothered to put any effort into making that a reality.

Comments

  • Dave HawkDave Hawk Posts: 6,654
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    Liberalism is the hegemonic ideology of Western capitalism with the 'mainstream' being either 'new' liberal (progressive centre-left to centrist), neoliberal (right-wing) or somewhere between the two (i.e. the contemporary 'Third Way', which works but you shouldn't really spend it to death)

    In so far as social democracy either exists, or existed, it only ever operated in what was an essentialy capitalist mode of production. Even in Sweden, long regarded as being the 'ideal', at its height, 90% of businesses were privately owned :)
  • MajlisMajlis Posts: 31,362
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    Perhaps I'm some kind of old dinosaur, totally out of touch with modern politics. I still believe there are fundamental differences between the the parties in British politics. There are clear dividing lines, the edges may become blurred but they still exist..or at least, they should do.

    Any fundamental differences died out in the 80's - we have 3 centre-right parties now because that is what win elections.

    Yes it would be nice to go back to the old days when Labour was a socialist party, the Tories were the only party promoting the private sector and the Liberals were somewhere in the middle - but TBH I can't see it happening.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 42
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    Those parties that wish to form governments tend to lean to the centre ground because that's where the majority of the votes lie. Most people are middle class these days (regardless of what they think) and prefer the status quo.

    It is rather depressing. All you get are different flavours of the same thing. Although the current government is pretending that there is a great decentralisation of power and movement towards private provision of once state services, the fact is the previous government was already doing this - academy schools, NHS tenders, using private firms to audit local government... and don't forget devolution of course, the epitome of decentralisation!
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 8,718
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    Ideology is very similar with all the parties, being in the centre but all essentially social democrats.
  • StykerStyker Posts: 49,578
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    Housing is the great divider and highlights something thats plagued the word forever, land and power but in a smaller way.

    Had Labour had the guts and will to reverse what Thathcer did on council homes, that could have led to much more equality in life as well as avoiding this recession.

    Labour should have built council homes en mass but they didn't. The housing boom whcih started in 1999 pretty much was and is a false economy and is the ultimate cause of the recession.

    Both parties are to blame and so too are a lot of the public who like the OP can't be bothered to demand change on this because they all want and hope to make some major money out of housing themselves one day, not realising we are going about it the wrong way. We should have done the opposite on housing, built council homes, affordable rent, more disposable income as a result which would have fuelled the economy, not debt because of high house prices and people borrowing against the value of their homes. What a crazy way of doing things, the last 10 years or so has been, supported by both main parties of power.

    Could go on but am pretty tired at the mo.
  • Dave HawkDave Hawk Posts: 6,654
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    Jack1 wrote: »
    Ideology is very similar with all the parties, being in the centre but all essentially social democrats.

    Bloody hell Jack being a Christian Democrat, where does that leave me :confused:

    It's conceivable that I might have been a Conservative during the Golden Age (yep, of Capitalism) :) but not post-the Blessed Margaret - a woman devoid of any conscience
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 8,718
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    Dave Hawk wrote: »
    Bloody hell Jack being a Christian Democrat, where does that leave me :confused:

    It's conceivable that I might have been a Conservative during the Golden Age (yep, of Capitalism) :) but not post-the Blessed Margaret - a woman devoid of any conscience

    It depends on what type of Christian Democrat you are?

    Are you essentially a socialist or more towards the centre ground?
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