There was recently a survey from a right wing magazine which stated that the bottom quarter of the US had the same or worse outcomes to the bottom quarter in Soviet Russia, in terms of life expectancy, and measures of wellbeing or happiness. I don't know whether that comparison is true or not, but it does highlight an important point - people care about the outcome more than the process.
Over the last 5 blogs (links below) we have looked at the importance of voting, the limits of democracy, the appeal of populism, what is the far right and why we might feel a sense of decline. Now its time to go on to, what can be done politically to turn this tanker around, and move things in a more positive direction.
The political spectrum
If we try and simplify the political spectrum into those parties that are right and left in ideology and those parties which propose more radical or moderate measures we see that traditional larger parties are often quite moderate and modest in their manifestos and the smaller parties tend to build support on more ideological and more radical grounds.
The UK political map
If there is one clear message electorates are telling their politicians throughout the Western World and beyond (through decreasing vote share to the main parties) is that more voters are turned off by the main parties due to their concern that ambitious measures are required whereas modest, incremental changes are being offered.
If people are concerned about the future of their nation, in terms of demographics, living standards, national debt, cultural dilution and emergent dangers abroad, a tax cut here, or a new public service there is just not going to cut it.
What's also clear is that populists often tend to have extreme nationalist, wealth distribution or environmentalist ideologies. I think this political map lends itself well to new parties that have a practical non-ideological mindset and willing to make ambitious changes - enter the radical centrists.
Next week I will argue why we need to have a "crisis" mindset and propose some ideas for a radical centrist manifesto.
That's all for today, next week is "Radical Centrism". Don't forget to sign up to the blog Blog | Deciders (hartejsingh.com).
Democracy series
Comentários