NorthernGent
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quote:
ORIGINAL: meatcleaver
quote:
ORIGINAL: NorthernGent
3) The Liberal Democrat Party - traditionally a half way house between the above two but in essence they believe in free market economics which doesn't reconcile with their claims that they support social equality.
Holland is every bit a capitalistic trading nation as Britain and there is far more social equality than in Britain. They are hard nosed capitalists while believing in social cohesion through high taxes and redistribution, something the LibDems believe in I think. While things aren't perfect here, nowhere is, there is more equality than in Britain.
I've seen Lib Dem party political mainfesto and they don't necessarily believe in high taxation. Having said this, the essence of your point is correct that they believe in redistribution (through progressive taxation rather than high taxation across the board).
In theory, their policies are sound. In practice, I can't see how they can juggle this progressive taxation with satisfying big business.
As an example, Murdoch owns 30% of the British newspaper industry plus Sky. His news corporation supports those who are willing to toe the line and spews all sorts of propaganda aimed at demonising those who don't. As a result, Murdoch was never referred to the competitions commission in the 80s and nor did he pay any net CT for 10 years. During the 90s, Alistair Campbell only agreed to take up his position if Blair would read Murdoch's conservative newspapers (to see the influence they hold) and agree to meet Murdoch and discuss his concerns. The reason being, Campbell deemed it a complete waste of time to get involved with the Labour Party unless he had Murdoch on side (i.e. without this they would never achieve a position of Government). At the meeting, Blair agreed to keep Murdoch happy in return for unconditional support (which Blair has largely enjoyed).
Consequently, if the Lib Dems do not pander to Murdoch and big business (at the expense of public spending programmes) then bang goes 30% of the electorate and no chance of achieving or maintaining Government.
Blame the Conservative Government of the 80s. They believed that by allowing Murdoch to do as he pleased they would always have unconditional support and media propaganda aimed at demonising anyone who believed in equal opportunity. What they didn't count on was the Labour Party moving to the right and employing the same tactics. At this juncture, my conclusion is that neither of the 3 main parties are capable of providing a balance between enterprise and a reasonable level of opportunity for all.
On your Britain/Netherlands point, the difference could well be the position that our media holds in our society. You will know better than me how it is over there.
Edited for spelling mistakes.
< Message edited by NorthernGent -- 10/28/2006 2:08:02 AM >
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