Former Bogpaper columnist, James Delingpole, wrote two thoughtful pieces, voicing his worries that Ukip lacks an overarching ideology. He fears that, without any such firm commitment, Ukip, too, will succumb to political pressure from interest groups. But comrade Delingpole’s concerns are misplaced. Democracy trumps ideology every time. A preliminary question. What makes Ukip so special?…
It would seem there is among the politically-minded professoriate a widespread belief that there is such a thing as “rational ignorance,” which holds that it is not particularly rational for any potential voter to waste time studying up on political affairs, researching candidates’ histories and positions, and so forth. Maintaining ignorance of the political factors…
This talk comprises a few related and modified entries taken from the draft of my forthcoming Dictionary of Anti-Politics. I shall begin by giving some libertarian analysis of the ideas of democracy, republic, and monarchy—and asking what political systems the UK and the USA really have. Then, as elected oligarchy is dominant, I shall consider…
Just a quick note to remind everyone that the Olympic-proof Southwark drinks are going ahead as usual tomorrow. Jan C Lester will be giving a talk on the uneccessary evil of democracies and republics. Jan’s books on libertarianism are to be found in the reading list.
August’s drinks event at the Rose and Crown co-incides with the 236th anniversary of the signing of US Declaration of Independence on August 2nd 1776. This lesser known date trailed its publication by almost a month but was a key ritualistic step in the creation of the world’s first nation founded upon an idea. The…
Some of you may be aware of my efforts to create a new libertarian political party. My aims for this party are simple. 1) Get registered with the Electoral Commission; 2) Get members; 3) Get activists; 4) Get libertarians elected to councils across England, Wales and Scotland. The structure and indeed the name of the…
This is absolutely brilliant. It not only describes the political situation in America perfectly, but also much of the Western ‘Democratic’ World… Sadly the Judge’s show Freedom Watch is being canned. Maybe the big whigs at Fox think he has gone too far..? Personally I think he is spot on and he will be greatly…
There is a popularly accepted belief that is sorely in need of debunking. A government is legitimate if it has been elected by the majority of the governed, and thus authorised to make decisions by, or rule the entire populace on behalf of, that majority. That British governments are elected by the majority of the governed, and are thus authorised by those majorities to make decisions or rule on their behalf. That therefore British governments are legitimate.
