And so he says that now only growth – continued growth – can protect democracy from the challenge that is coming at it from fascism. And let’s be clear, that’s where the challenge is coming from. So he says, Labour must prioritise whatever is required to get growth. But this, in my opinion, is a dangerous delusion, although unfortunately one obviously shared by Rachel Reeves.
Economic growth grows the pie. Definitionally. Therefore it’s easier to slice the pie as all can have more. No economic growth means a fixed pie. Which is difficult for for anyone to have more then others must have less.
The argument in favour of economic growth – OK, so, this one then – is just that we gain a much more peaceful and even non-Fascist society by having economic growth as we’re all happier when we’re in a positive pie economy not a fixed one. It’s political economy…..
It isn’t growth in the economy which will prevent the oncoming fascism*, it’s too late for that.
Getting rid of a couple of million invasive species parasites, as the Donald has done in 250 days will help though……..
*Reform obvs.
It all makes a lot more sense when you consider the real reason for Spuds pronouncements on the eco front, namely to get himself a bit of the Green Party’s economic pie. The Greens are on the up, so the grifter extraordinaire needs to position himself as a person they might throw some money at as an adviser.
Yeah. You have read everything he writes as a demand for money, fame or influence. There’s always a reason why imaginary people are asking him things.
Martin Wolf, to put it in context, is a man who is, I think, quite a bit older than me and has been writing for the FT since they used quills, as far as I can remember, and the point is that he is a symbol of the old view of economics in this world.
Candidly we need the fresh faced, youthful thinking of a 67 year old who thought Jeremy Corbyn would win.
And who is…
What’s wrong with fascism anyway? Spain & Portugal had fascist governments that took them from being 3rd world countries to 1st world & in Spain prevented the country sinking into anarchy. A few years of fascism could do the UK a power of good. If you’re going to have a managed economy, at least have a government that knows what it’s doing.
From what I remember of Franco’s Spain, First World it wasn’t…
Pah! That wasn’t PROPER fascism.
Well, they’re still dagos…
Well Tim lives withe the buggers.
There’s literally nothing wrong with fascism. The left hates it with an unholy fire because fascism – rough men with helicopters – is often the antidote to communism. The recidivism rate of antisocial leftwing parasites after they’ve been given free flying lessons is zero.
Every woman adores a Fascist. ❤️
Fascists are National Socialists, while communists are International Socialists. That’s why they hate each other so much – it’s the Judean People’s Front vs the People’s Front of Judea. You probably shouldn’t be reading this blog if you think a centrally planned economy can work effectively.
Candidly you are wrong. Fascism just means having a good time with your bros.
It has no other meaning.
I’m not sure fascism has to be socialist. Franco was generally regarded as fascist, as was Salazar. But socialist usually implies equality ( in theory). Neither were in favour of equality. They were ultra-conservatives who wanted to preserve the inequalities produced a stable State. That in trying to achieve (unobtainable) equality, even the poor get poorer
As a commenter here once said, Franco is viewed as an evil bastard even though he preserved his country from both Communist and Nazi rule.
Reification fallacy. ‘Democracy’ is not concrete; it is a concept.
So, a commie blames fascists. Been going on a hundred years. The commie dick gives us an ad hom assertion that the economy must stall because fascism.
Having read Murphy in the original, he’s the closest thing to fascism currently going. He even sees himself as the Great Leader. The only bit missing is he’s not currently planning on invading Poland. But I’ve no doubt, should he be installed as the dictator of the UK, his thoughts would quickly turn to bring the benefits of Spudanomics to any UK neighbour unfortunately not benefiting from them. Whether they wanted them or not.
He is willing to accept fascism as an incremental step to communism. He likes fascist totalitarianism. But make no mistake: he is a communist. Government ownership of the means of production. Nationalize EVERYTHING.
The thing that he, and others like him, are railing against isn’t fascism, in fact it’s usually quite the opposite. Anything they don’t agree with is just labelled as fascism when what it really means is just stuff we don’t like. Democracy must be protected from people voting for things we don’t like? Do they even hear themselves and realise how ridiculous that is? Probably not.
True. Commie language control.
Focus groups told the commies that fascism is bad. So they use it as a label. Even though 99% of those involved have no clue what fascism means. It’s just a bad tag.