tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post2305406585982962733..comments2023-10-27T07:50:27.411+01:00Comments on Next Left: And if we lose?Tom Hampsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05917325958130851128noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-45211212937325978902009-09-21T13:09:02.429+01:002009-09-21T13:09:02.429+01:00There's no "if" about it.
Labour AR...There's no "if" about it.<br /><br />Labour ARE going to be DESTROYED at the General Election by an electorate fed up with all their LIES, SPIN and CORRUPTION.<br /><br />Labour will be lucky if they have 50 MP's left come July 2010.Silent Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12586061220673855660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-61762850736087478262009-09-21T12:03:43.418+01:002009-09-21T12:03:43.418+01:00According to Peter:
'We know now, if we didn&...According to Peter:<br /><br />'We know now, if we didn't before, that in a global economy there are huge forces widening the gapy between rich and poor. Closing the gap inside one country is next to impossible.'<br /><br />I'm sorry, Peter, but this is just completely untrue. <br /><br />The political science research shows us that levels of income inequality vary considerably across capitalist countries, and that these differences are related to differences in social and economic policies which, in turn, are related to differences in who governs. In short, politics can and does significantly affect how much income inequality there is, even in our globalized/globalizing economy.<br /><br />The relevant research includes Torbern Iversen, CAPITALISM, DEMOCRACY AND WELFARE (Cambridge University Press, 2005), Lane Kenworthy, EGALITARIAN CAPITALISM (Rissell Sage, 2004), Jonas Pontusson, INEQUALITY AND PROSPERITY (Cornell University Press/Century Foundation, 2005), and Andrew Glyn, CAPITALISM UNLEASHED (Oxford University Press, 2006). And, specifically on the huge importance of political/partisanship variables in the US case, Larry Bartels, UNEQUAL DEMOCRACY (Princeton University Press, 2008).<br /><br />Of course, if income inequality is much more amenable to political control than you suggest, then we clearly have some reason to be critical of New Labour's record - even while acknowledging its achievements in terms of reducing poverty and at least holding the line on inequality. This is entirely the sort of criticism we need to mull over. This is not a matter of shouting 'Betrayal!' - you are at risk of unfairly caricaturing voices of criticism here - but of trying earnestly to learn from mistakes. For mistakes there surely have been....Stuart Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05090728365798166746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-3097314631402866412009-09-21T11:59:47.588+01:002009-09-21T11:59:47.588+01:00This article is laden with inherent biases, ad hom...This article is laden with inherent biases, ad hominems, and deliberately poor characterisations of positions which the author does not take.<br /><br />Nor does it actually touch on where things have gone wrong, which would surely be the starting point for making things work, where we to lose the next election.<br /><br />In any event, a lot can happen between now and then.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07801341846218646357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-22925243345989610782009-09-21T11:17:15.344+01:002009-09-21T11:17:15.344+01:00That is a sketchy retelling of the 1980s and 1990s...That is a sketchy retelling of the 1980s and 1990s, and I really don't see the point of appeals for unity which caricature and slag off the people who are not in your faction.<br /><br />The danger which Labour faces after the election is not a vigorous internal challenge by left-wing activists furious at betrayal, but how to rebuild support with a very low membership and few activists.<br /><br />Peter's advice is very one-sided - lefties need to acknowledge what New Labour did well (which most of them do), but with rights come responsibilities, and in the cause of unity it would be good for New Labour supporters to acknowledge what the Left got right and how this will be included in the future. <br /><br />Peter mentions equality, and lefties were passionate about that back when Mandelson was saying he was relaxed about people getting filthy rich. The left has also got a pretty good case on foreign and economic policy and on public services.<br /><br />Labour is at its best when it draws good ideas from all sections of the party - recognising this will help to stop the betrayal myth and help in the future.donpaskinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05963534291677598324noreply@blogger.com