Limits of Syndicalism

[jondwhite]

http://politicalscrapbook.net/2012/04/alexandra-swann-unemployed-voting/?utm_source=politicalscrapbook.net&utm_medium=psbook_featt&utm_campaign=psbook_featt2

[ALB]

We can make good use of this quote from a UKIP councillor suggesting that the unemployed shouldn’t be allowed to vote at the hustings in Putney this evening where our candidate for Merton & Wandsworth in the London Assembly elections, Bill Martin, will be speaking. The organisers have told us that the event will be filmed by the BBC for a programme they are making about the Putney Debates.The big question at these debates, between Cromwell and the soldiers in the Parliamentary army which had just defeated the Royalists, was precisely who should be entitled to vote. One contributor to the debate, called appropriately Colonel Rich, put the case against giving the vote to everyone as follows:

Quote:

You have five to one in this kingdom that have no permanent interest. Some men have ten, some twenty servants — some more, some less. If the master and servant shall be equal electors, then clearly those that have no interest in the kingdom will make it their interest to choose those that have no interest. It may happen that the majority may, by law — not in a confusion — destroy property; there may be a law enacted that there shall be an equality of goods and estate.

It looks as if some in UKIP want to go back to this. It will be interesting to see if their candidate turns up to explain.The trouble is, the majority could realise Colonel Rich’s nightmare but haven’t — yet.

[jondwhite]

Isn’t it an indictment of syndicalism too, where votes would be based on your work?Note also Alexandra Swann’s reply”1. I did not defend Cllr Bursnall. I said he raised interesting points. My comment about dangerous was in reference to national debt through excessive public spending – I have NEVER advocated reducing the franchise or abolishing one man one vote. 2. My PhD is on Herbert Spencer and 19thC land tenure reform, not Social Darwinism. 3. I’m 24.Please in future contact me before taking my comments out of context. I said Tom raised interesting points from a theoretical perspective, I wasn’t saying it should be UKIP policy.”

[Ozymandias]

Thanks Jondwhite for the link to that excellent website.

[Anonymous]

 It still baffles me why the people ‘who have no interest in the kingdom’ still vote the rich back into power, election after election.

[Author]

Posts