Alternatives to conventional politics are sorely needed. Hardly anyone is impressed by most modern politics. But as they make most of the laws and we have to wait for 4 years to change to (likely a similar) government, what can we do? It’s worth getting involved in local politics, but for national politics, it’s obvious that something different is needed. Also see how to help create world peace and alternatives to economic growth (often focused on profit at the expense of animal welfare). Read more on politics and animal welfare.
Alternatives to the Main Political Parties
True and Fair Party is a new party set up by the female lawyer that took the government to court over Brexit. Doesn’t matter what your views are on this, this looks hopeful! Gina Miller is someone who says despite facing many challenges, she has ‘never lost her principles for standing up against those who seek to exploit, bully and gain from dishonesty’. You can read the full manifesto online which focuses around cleaning up politics and voting reform, along with clear policies on the main issues (including environmentalism).
All the three main parties have been in power over the last 20 years, with not great results. And most fringe parties are either bonkers or scary. What are the alternatives? Read Why We Get The Wrong Politicians.
- The Peace Party again is more theory at present, but it has a lovely manifesto. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a few councillors getting elected for this party?
- The Alternative is more a new platform for politics, with elected leaders in Denmark. It’s similar to the Greens, but people form the manifesto, rather than the party.
- Something New is a fan of ‘open source’ government to end deals done in back rooms. It’s trying to drag politics from ‘neither left nor right) but ‘forward’. Policies focus on open democracy, climate change, democratic reform and civil liberty.
There’s an old joke about a driver lost in the countryside. She sees a local, and stops to ask directions to her destination. The local resident says ‘Hmm, well, if I were you, I wouldn’t start from here’. Something New
Books for a New Political Age
- The Little Book of Politics is for anyone worried about the world, and wanting to make a difference. If you’re inspired by a new political view or enraged by an old one, this clear guide offers a quick tour through the corridors of power and explains the basics of our parliamentary democracy.
- Trust Me, I’m Not a Politician asks what went wrong with our democracy and public life. Dorothy Byrne leaves no-one without her razor-sharp wit as she takes on the MPs to avoid rigorous journalistic scrutiny, and explores the pitfalls of impartiality,.
- The Power of the Herd is an interesting book by Linda Kohanov, which looks at how this kind of politics stems from how horses behave, rather than packs of animals with herd leaders. Horses tend to be social and just get along, and she writes that politicians (and big business) could learn a lot from how they behave. From dealing with conflict to the power of consensual leadership, rather than the ‘dominance theory’ that believes in the survival of the fittest. Includes 12 guiding principles.
Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd. Bertrand Russell
If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking. George S Patton
People would rather live in a community with unreasonable claims, than face loneliness with their truth. Bangambiki Habyarimana
Sheep only need a single flock. But people need two: one to belong to and make them feel comfortable. And another to blame all of society’s problems on. James Rozoff
