What's happening to politics?

pH

In the past a political party was made up of people with like minded social or political policies. They evangelised these policies and then asked the public to support them in an election.

So for example, even though I personally do not support socialism, I can understand it as a political movement, and can respect it and see why people would vote for it.

Today in both Ireland and the UK the most political parties seem to be saying "Let's take a poll and see what the public want and then that'll be what we stand for".

Am I alone in thinking that when a party that follows this line, the only thing that this says about its members and politicians is that they want power themselves. They have no values or ideals except a belief they they are somehow above the rest of us and deserve the power.

pH

JustHalf

Welcome to the manifesto of the first world leader. Instead of telling you what I believe in, I would like you to tell me what to believe in. It will be better in the long run, for all of us, if you cooperate fully.

But first, I would like to explain my goals. My goals are you goals. I am as a blank sheet, ready to accept input and act upon it. There is nothing I would rather do than hold up this pretense.

But what does any of this matter? I look good on TV, and as a respectable businessman, running several work camps in Burma; I think I have what it takes to whip any organisation into line. You think so too, don't you?

But what it all boils down to is this.

Vote for me.

Magwitch

I am not sure it is such a good thing. This year in England Local election voters were given the chance to have their say on a rates rise. They rejected the rise overwhelmingly even though it meant the closure of Kinder garderns and other facilities, even though they were well informed before the vote of the consequences.

Political parties politicians lie alot, thats the nature of politics and negioation. But when politicians pay such close attention to what the public say, they shirk their responsibility to a nation as whole. If politicians run for office because they love their country (and they should) and want to see it do well they will make difficult choices on an electorates behalf before thinking of the consequences for their own careers.

The current trend may lead to disasterous consequences. It seems politicians are only willing to take drastic unpopular action (or no action at all) when big business is involved (and in business's interests alone).

GreenHell

Yea thats the way politics should be and to a large extent is in ireland the irish voter is a lot smart than you give credit for eg the nice treaty ... tell us what its about or we won't for it.

Politics in Ireland is becoming more like a product alrite but then again every goverment has to listen to the needs for the people whatever there political believe and the party who does most to sadisfy the public should they also deserve to be elected.

C B

I suppose I depends on how much faith you have in your fellow man. If we trust the intelligence of others than the basic role of government should be to govern with a safe pair of hands rather than be radical leaders, e.g I think Fine Gael are good administrators but they lack the ability to lead.

If you have less faith in others then you may wish to see a more aggreessive style of politics where firebrand leaders "tell it how it is" and don't shirk from leading people in to unpopular uncharted territory.

Both of these views have their merits and I'm not entirely sure which I support. I like to think I'm an idealist and hope that one the the former could be a reality, however I'm a deeply cynical (sometimes arrogant) man and as such i think a degree of the later is necessary.

GreenHell

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by C B:
e.g I think Fine Gael are good administrators but they lack the ability to lead.

</font>

Aww come on they spent the last four years trying to find their **** with both hands a map and compass.

Blitzkrieger

What's happening to politics?

Nobody cares

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Magwitch:
If politicians run for office because they love their country (and they should) and want to see it do well they will make difficult choices on an electorates behalf before thinking of the consequences for their own careers.</font>

......and if I'm elected I'll raise taxes, brutalise criminals and rule you like a king!

It sounds like (I know you're not but want to make the point .....hey! I sound like a politician ) you're saying that the electorate can't think for themselves. Surely the obligation of any democratic goverment is to do what the people wish, regardless. In your example, you see people as choosing the wrong option, but I doubt if it was as black and white as that.