Thank you for looking deeply into why power reacts so badly to one voice speaking out. Maybe it also shows the power of that one voice, thinking Churchill, Hitler, JFK, Martin Luther King and how people are drawn to that voice. The voice of one who seems to be one of them, searching to make their lives better. I appreciate your work.
A united front against GG from Sunak and Starmer (KS 'apologising' for allowing Galloway's success apparently). The speech from Sunak feels like he's saying we should regard people as dangerous extremists when they vote 'the wrong way'. Not unlike the treatment of Trump voters in the US.
This is something I am trying to work on for quite some time…..thank you for your reflections here…. Secular theology….o.k., but what would be a different way to think this? And this is not just about ‘power’; it is also about the loss of meaning in the world…. “Our ruling elites are hugely powerful…and are able to reproduce their rule, for no other reason other than the fact that they are powerful. …They have …no legitimating symbolic reservoir, or “secular theology,” to draw from. Alongside fear …the only legitimising force the oligarchs have left is “democracy”. The vote is ultimately the only thing that lends some legitimacy to their de facto absolute rule.”
Liberal Democracy IS their theology. They believe in rights and law and the individual. The trouble with this is that it's not a solid political theory. Nearly everyone can get on board with liberalism when times are good and the tide is raising all boats. Freedom, democracy and human rights aren't worth a damn when people can't provide security, shelter and food for their families. In other words, liberalism is a luxury for the good times. The "West" had quite a long run of, on average, good times, thanks to its colonies and empires, but that looks to be over now.
I've actually taken to calling it the Orthodox Church of Western Liberalism. The ruling elite and their priesthood in the media and their congregation in the PMC hoard the virtue. Unless you are strict with the dogma, rituals and language, you are either a heathen (e.g. Putin) or a heretic (Russell Brand).
Agree, but I cannot see anything wrong with the ideas of “rights and law and the individual”. It is an intellectual history. The problem is how it was one-sidedly hijacked.
There's nothing wrong with it in itself. I was raised a liberal and am attached to it still. But it's not enough of a theory to guide us out of material conflicts when class interests are in play.
Brilliant analysis though also frightening. I was shocked by the blatant dishonesty of Sunak’s speech - and as a non-Muslim who took part in a very peaceful pro-ceasefire demo in Brixton a few weeks ago (also attended by some Jewish people) I believe decent people of all backgrounds are united against the evil bilateral policies of our so-called democratic government. At least now we see those in power more and more for what they truly are - unprincipled, deceitful and corrupt. The mask is slipping big time.
Mi permetto di aggiungere che con 'democrazia' i nuovi despoti non intendono più la libertà di esprimere le proprie opinioni o o scelte politiche individuali, ma certe istituzioni - soprattutto quelli supranazionali - che considerano essenziali per il regno che stanno creando, vuol dire la NATO, la EU ecc. Ognuno che critica queste istituzioni (come Halloway, Farrage, o Trump o Le Pen ecc.) è perciò per definizione un estremista e nemico della democrazia.
Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber su X) spiega bene questa ridefinizione orwelliana ...
For a couple of years it seemed the Tory party was resigned to losing massively to Labour in the next general election. They sulk but they accept it. They do not, however, accept Rochdale. Sunak's speech lays down the law: they can accept losing to the same establishment political class (e.g. Starmer's right-wing Labour party) but populists will not be tolerated. It's the same thing in Germany, where they will ban AFD if it gets more support, or here in the USA where they get rid of the populist with legal action.
You know, democracy but only with approved candidates. The best kind.
Thank you for another of your thoughtful articles.
I can't help thinking that the reasons for the establishment's horror of Galloway might be simpler though.
Galloway is one of the finest orators in modern British politics, as an MP he has the benefit of parliamentary privilege and as an independent, there is no party structure to restrain his actions..
All of which means that, in the very near future, he will likely make an eloquent maiden speech in which he accuses both Starmer and Sunak, of being war criminals. I expect it will be quite persuasive. And there are surely enough people who remember Galloway's role in the Iraq war to watch that and to make sure it circulates.
For Sunak, that will be embarrassing but how much worse can it get for him? He'll lose in due course anyway. But, for Starmer, who will probably be a PM with a handsome majority and no idea what to do with it when the ICJ hands down its genocide ruling, it could be a calamity.
"State and corporate power have become merged to such an extent that the ability of people to truly challenge the status quo through the ballot box is effectively nullified..." The merger of state and corporate power to thwart democracy is key element of fascism.
There have been so many divisions, the Gaza genocide has united people - Jews, Christians, Muslims etc. The division/separation is The People from government as we see them for what they are - lobbyists for corporations and their colonial outposts - Israel being one, an occupied territory that RFK Jr admitted was useful to Israel 'Like having an aircraft carrier in the Middle East'. How long will it take for the traumatised Jews in Israel to realise that far from a safe haven, they were used as a human shield to mask the European/US colonial project.
Thank you for looking deeply into why power reacts so badly to one voice speaking out. Maybe it also shows the power of that one voice, thinking Churchill, Hitler, JFK, Martin Luther King and how people are drawn to that voice. The voice of one who seems to be one of them, searching to make their lives better. I appreciate your work.
A united front against GG from Sunak and Starmer (KS 'apologising' for allowing Galloway's success apparently). The speech from Sunak feels like he's saying we should regard people as dangerous extremists when they vote 'the wrong way'. Not unlike the treatment of Trump voters in the US.
This is something I am trying to work on for quite some time…..thank you for your reflections here…. Secular theology….o.k., but what would be a different way to think this? And this is not just about ‘power’; it is also about the loss of meaning in the world…. “Our ruling elites are hugely powerful…and are able to reproduce their rule, for no other reason other than the fact that they are powerful. …They have …no legitimating symbolic reservoir, or “secular theology,” to draw from. Alongside fear …the only legitimising force the oligarchs have left is “democracy”. The vote is ultimately the only thing that lends some legitimacy to their de facto absolute rule.”
Liberal Democracy IS their theology. They believe in rights and law and the individual. The trouble with this is that it's not a solid political theory. Nearly everyone can get on board with liberalism when times are good and the tide is raising all boats. Freedom, democracy and human rights aren't worth a damn when people can't provide security, shelter and food for their families. In other words, liberalism is a luxury for the good times. The "West" had quite a long run of, on average, good times, thanks to its colonies and empires, but that looks to be over now.
I've actually taken to calling it the Orthodox Church of Western Liberalism. The ruling elite and their priesthood in the media and their congregation in the PMC hoard the virtue. Unless you are strict with the dogma, rituals and language, you are either a heathen (e.g. Putin) or a heretic (Russell Brand).
Agree, but I cannot see anything wrong with the ideas of “rights and law and the individual”. It is an intellectual history. The problem is how it was one-sidedly hijacked.
There's nothing wrong with it in itself. I was raised a liberal and am attached to it still. But it's not enough of a theory to guide us out of material conflicts when class interests are in play.
EXACTLY - and the class is buried in our new shiny present.
Brilliant analysis though also frightening. I was shocked by the blatant dishonesty of Sunak’s speech - and as a non-Muslim who took part in a very peaceful pro-ceasefire demo in Brixton a few weeks ago (also attended by some Jewish people) I believe decent people of all backgrounds are united against the evil bilateral policies of our so-called democratic government. At least now we see those in power more and more for what they truly are - unprincipled, deceitful and corrupt. The mask is slipping big time.
RESONANCES: https://www.eugyppius.com/p/oh-how-wonderful-it-is-to-live-in
Thanks for that link - ‘resonances’ indeed…
That was helpful. Thank you.
Eccellente come sempre - mille grazie.
Mi permetto di aggiungere che con 'democrazia' i nuovi despoti non intendono più la libertà di esprimere le proprie opinioni o o scelte politiche individuali, ma certe istituzioni - soprattutto quelli supranazionali - che considerano essenziali per il regno che stanno creando, vuol dire la NATO, la EU ecc. Ognuno che critica queste istituzioni (come Halloway, Farrage, o Trump o Le Pen ecc.) è perciò per definizione un estremista e nemico della democrazia.
Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber su X) spiega bene questa ridefinizione orwelliana ...
Cari saluti da Sergio
Obrigado
For a couple of years it seemed the Tory party was resigned to losing massively to Labour in the next general election. They sulk but they accept it. They do not, however, accept Rochdale. Sunak's speech lays down the law: they can accept losing to the same establishment political class (e.g. Starmer's right-wing Labour party) but populists will not be tolerated. It's the same thing in Germany, where they will ban AFD if it gets more support, or here in the USA where they get rid of the populist with legal action.
You know, democracy but only with approved candidates. The best kind.
Thank you for another of your thoughtful articles.
I can't help thinking that the reasons for the establishment's horror of Galloway might be simpler though.
Galloway is one of the finest orators in modern British politics, as an MP he has the benefit of parliamentary privilege and as an independent, there is no party structure to restrain his actions..
All of which means that, in the very near future, he will likely make an eloquent maiden speech in which he accuses both Starmer and Sunak, of being war criminals. I expect it will be quite persuasive. And there are surely enough people who remember Galloway's role in the Iraq war to watch that and to make sure it circulates.
For Sunak, that will be embarrassing but how much worse can it get for him? He'll lose in due course anyway. But, for Starmer, who will probably be a PM with a handsome majority and no idea what to do with it when the ICJ hands down its genocide ruling, it could be a calamity.
Everything may well be stacked against the socialist parties, but don’t underestimate the resolve of a cohesive and determined working class.
With a will, they can and will rise to the challenge and prevail.
The betterment of their lives depend upon it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_child_sex_abuse_ring
Lol. Whatever.
"State and corporate power have become merged to such an extent that the ability of people to truly challenge the status quo through the ballot box is effectively nullified..." The merger of state and corporate power to thwart democracy is key element of fascism.
the name Wellstone comes to mind
There have been so many divisions, the Gaza genocide has united people - Jews, Christians, Muslims etc. The division/separation is The People from government as we see them for what they are - lobbyists for corporations and their colonial outposts - Israel being one, an occupied territory that RFK Jr admitted was useful to Israel 'Like having an aircraft carrier in the Middle East'. How long will it take for the traumatised Jews in Israel to realise that far from a safe haven, they were used as a human shield to mask the European/US colonial project.