Left from Right: Part 1 - Definitions

One of the more perplexing elements of politics is most certainly the way people describe it; the polarised left and right. So what are we talking about when we say left or right?

There are (at least) two kinds of left-right scale in politics. The most prominent of these are those used by The Political Compass:

+ The economic; that is left-Communism & right-Capitalism.
+ and the social; that is left-Libertarianism & right-Authoritarianism.

The Liberals and Labour traditionally represent two faces of the same left-wing of British politics.

The larger part of the Liberals professed 'social libertarianism'. Now this merely describes a certain alignment, a set of values. In this case the Liberals are described as believing that society is best served through individuality and civil liberties, protected by law, with the government only interfering with society to prevent harm; that is libertarianism.

Economically, classical liberals believed in a right-wing approach to economics, that of free market capitalism. This evolved by the start of the C20th into 'social liberalism'. This advocated some restriction on the market to allow for increased and above all 'fair' competition. The approach meant ensuring that, financially, everyone has a common basic starting point that is considered the very least a civilised human being could be expected to have a chance to succeed from. They believed this allowed for 'individuals' to have the greatest chance of success and that there-in lies the success of all. That then is the social; that is to say that society, through public investment & regulation, should act to shape our economy, albeit still for the elevation of individuals.

Labour on the other hand have usually advocated socialism. In reality this has meant a belief in a strong state that best serves the people with a strongly directive approach, sometimes almost authoritarian. The idea is to intercede on behalf of the people in order to deliver social justice. The focus is on society, community and equality over individualism.

Economically, socialism has traditionally expressed a wish for nationalisation of various industries and organisations in order to establish the state, and there-in the people's control over the means of production. This allowed for the easier establishment and enforcement of equality. However economies based on state-run enterprise have suffered on global markets. So Labour adopted what is known as the 'Social Market Economy'. This system has regulation to limit and restrict the market; towards a goal of ensuring fair competition which can then be taxed to pay for state run organisations.

However these are just simplifications. The reality is that parties are not uniform and have many faces & factions. Labour has been visibly afflicted by this in the past, particularly during its thirteen years in office (Jones, 2006). Even more than that, these positions can change with social and economic trends as the ever sensible Mr Tony Benn (2010) observes about the Labour Party:

'What is really significant about [Blair's] political life was that he set up a new political party, New Labour. This transformed the Labour party... when Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson concluded that Labour could never win unless it adopted the economic policy that Mrs Thatcher had set out'.

In the next issue we will explore this idea further, looking at how the left and right can change shape, drift and even merge.

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References:
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+ The Political Compass

+ Nicholas Jones' 'Brownites vs Blairites - the Full Story'; September 2006;

+ Tony Benn's 'What is really significant about Tony Blair was that he set up a new political party, New Labour'; September 2010;

10 O'Clock Live so far...

It has been several weeks now since Channel 4's excellent Alternative Election Night team returned to our screens as 10 O'Clock Live.

I have yet to be convinced by the show. There have been some good points. While Jimmy Carr and Lauren Laverne have played dress up and Charlie Brooker does what Charlie Brooker does best, David Mitchell has been the star. While a lot of the show has been about bringing in a partisan voice opposite to conservative tone that dominates the press, Mitchell has been a refreshing and commendable voice of sense and moderation. While far from unwilling to speak his mind, he has used it to get everyone's cards on the table to engage in a serious attempt to, not just figure out who is right, but where the views might be reconciled.

However beyond Mitchell, 10 O'clock Live has been at serious risk of treating its audience with as much contempt as the right-wing press treats theirs. Frankly, if I want to be pandered to, I'll buy the Daily Mail. Hearing Jimmy Carr utter that he 'would struggle to take any sort of interest' in the Liberal Democrat conference, was a crushing blow to the credentials of a team hosting a topical-politics show.

How can a show hope to be taken seriously in its satire and viewpoints if it can describe the conference of a governing party as outside of the interest of one of its hosts?

The show seems to buy into the idea that the best counter to a right-wing slanted press is some left-wing slanted media. No. What viewers need is more balanced coverage, more moderation and more David Mitchell.

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References:
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+ 10 O'Clock Live on Channel 4

Good Cause Coercion

The last hour of comic relief in the very early hours of Saturday morning was rather uncomfortable. As the night wore on it was announced that Fearne Cotton would appear once more in her bathing suit if enough people texted in with donations. Ms Cotton's discomfort and anxiety at uncovering, for as good a cause as it is, was palpable. Having been asked several times she offered a seemingly reluctant acquiescence to it.

The grand finale of the night became the uncovering of a young woman who did not seem entirely comfortable with it, but coerced by a good cause.

How on earth did that happen? Please don't take this as a derogation of that very good cause, but it seems good sense and some decency fled the scene in the wee hours; good causes, especially the best of causes needs always to be wary and sensible lest they cross the line.

(Please go now to the Red Nose Day site and contribute to the best of causes.)