I'm always a bit amused when people think that Britain is a free country. It's always been somewhat authoritarian in my lifetime, although it was a paternal authoritarianism. It came with a social contract that was quite strong. I think it was more free before the twentieth century, mainly because government was much smaller and so couldn't impose itself. The state became much larger during the twentieth century due to two major wars and the imposition of the welfare state.
As an example, as a response to the Clive Ponting affair in the 1980s, the British government responded in 1989 by removing the public interest defence from the Official Secrets Act. This act was already all encompassing in its scope. In effect, everybody is subject to it all the time.
As far as I'm concerned we now have the worst of all worlds. We don't have proper freedom anymore, and the social contract is now broken as well. It's difficult to see a doctor, road potholes aren't fixed, it's too difficult to own your own home for many people, generous final salary schemes have in effect been abolished in the private sector, jobs are outsourced to foreign countries and immigration increases competition for jobs domestically etc. etc. The "we will protect your interests" bit has failed.
I read that Briton's rights were to be found in 64 different places. As an American, I'm astounded that the rights of citizens are so vague and that their rights aren't spelled out clearly in a single document. It does give govenment more control over the citizenry so I guess that's the intention of not having a constitution.
Thank you so much for this, Preston. Your voice and vigour on this matter is a source of inspiration.
In addition to the legal and constitutional reform you have outlined, we must reacquaint ourselves with the philosophical case for free expression which sits beneath it. We need to revise the arguments for this position, so we have them at our fingertips. Your contribution is compelling - now let us also put a library of books behind you.
Some obvious examples are John Milton’s “Areopagitica” and JS Mill’s “On Liberty”. Are there others you would recommend (esp from the British tradition)?
I'm always a bit amused when people think that Britain is a free country. It's always been somewhat authoritarian in my lifetime, although it was a paternal authoritarianism. It came with a social contract that was quite strong. I think it was more free before the twentieth century, mainly because government was much smaller and so couldn't impose itself. The state became much larger during the twentieth century due to two major wars and the imposition of the welfare state.
As an example, as a response to the Clive Ponting affair in the 1980s, the British government responded in 1989 by removing the public interest defence from the Official Secrets Act. This act was already all encompassing in its scope. In effect, everybody is subject to it all the time.
As far as I'm concerned we now have the worst of all worlds. We don't have proper freedom anymore, and the social contract is now broken as well. It's difficult to see a doctor, road potholes aren't fixed, it's too difficult to own your own home for many people, generous final salary schemes have in effect been abolished in the private sector, jobs are outsourced to foreign countries and immigration increases competition for jobs domestically etc. etc. The "we will protect your interests" bit has failed.
I read that Briton's rights were to be found in 64 different places. As an American, I'm astounded that the rights of citizens are so vague and that their rights aren't spelled out clearly in a single document. It does give govenment more control over the citizenry so I guess that's the intention of not having a constitution.
Thank you so much for this, Preston. Your voice and vigour on this matter is a source of inspiration.
In addition to the legal and constitutional reform you have outlined, we must reacquaint ourselves with the philosophical case for free expression which sits beneath it. We need to revise the arguments for this position, so we have them at our fingertips. Your contribution is compelling - now let us also put a library of books behind you.
Some obvious examples are John Milton’s “Areopagitica” and JS Mill’s “On Liberty”. Are there others you would recommend (esp from the British tradition)?