As I drove from Nairn to Ayr and back yesterday, it was impossible not to notice the independence campaign. Large Better Together hoardings hastily erected in fields alongside the A9, punctuated by Yes in a variety of guises - official ones, home-made ones, pretty much anything that came to hand. I am not sure that the posters and hoardings are intended to sway voters, it seems as though people have, in the words of my son, nailed their colours to the mast (and to trees, garden fences, posts and pretty much anything else that doesnt move). There is no obvious discernible trend, save that large landowners appear to be (unsurprisingly) against independence. It is remarkable (and hugely encouraging), however, that there is such an enormous level of political engagement in one simple question - Yes or No? If so many are so engaged in politics - against the trend for lower turnouts at elections and the fading, as some would see it, of political engagement - then why is this happening? Is it, as it seems for some, an entirely political question, or is it, as many here and the Better Together campaign (such as it is) seem to frame it, a question of economics? It has to be that it is both. Politics has always been about economics, and economics has always driven politics. It was probably true for the Assyrians, certainly for the Romans, and in spades for us now. Finance and “big business” has, it seems to me to have captured politics to the extent that it is almost impossible for nations to run their own economic policy without acknowledgement and consideration of what “The Markets” will do. Just as voters are encouraged to put their economic interests first, to think of the pound in their pocket, so politicians all too frequently put their own economic interests before those who they are elected to represent. A few days ago, I heard the quote that “In evolutionary terms Economics shows no evidence of intelligent design” Despite Gordon Browns famous statement that “We are seeing the end of Boom and Bust”, it has failed to address, or even often to understand, the cyclical boom and bust nature of modern economics. There are those on Aye Mac! who wish to tackle the obvious economic problems of society as being a necessity if we are to build a fair and equitable society. I agree wholeheartedly, but would argue that there is little evidence, barring a global financial collapse, of financiers and economists changing tack. Equally, there are those who believe that we need political and democratic change. I believe this to be absolutely true. But for as long as economists and financiers hold the reins, and unless a Yes vote in the referendum is followed by real and lasting change to the way that politics and democracy is done, then we will continue with a centralised, disengaged political elite in Edinburgh rather than in London. Without political change and proper democratic engagement, we will never ever be able to hold out against increasing “Technocrat” involvement in politics, where eventually all politics will be a sham and our lives will be organised to suit large corporations, finance, and shareholders. I believe that this is a window of opportunity, a chance to bring democracy closer to the people, and to rein in the way in which politicians have drawn power to the centre, in effect disengaging themselves from the people, and not, as so often portrayed the people being disengaged from politics. And no, the hoardings along major arterial routes proclaiming that we are “Better Together” will not make me change my mind about voting “Yes” Oh!, and please read Fintan OToole. A journalist and a gentleman! theguardian/commentisfree/2014/sep/12/scotland-vote-braveheart-nationalism-democracy-independence
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 08:26:52 +0000
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