DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ethical Record

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ethical Record ISSN 0014-1690 The Ethical Record Vol. 99 No. 5 £ 1 May 1994 BACK TO BASICS WITH TROLLOPE T.F. Evans 3 GOD AND THE BIG BANG Hyman Frankel 6 PERSONAL CONSTRUCT PSYCHOLOGY Marion Granville 13 CHARLES BAUDELAIRE AND "MODERNISM" John Good 16 Self-portrait. 1948. Gertrude Elias. On 8 May1994. Gertrude addressed the Society on her autobiography. The 'Suspect Generation' VIEWPOINTS HUMANISM ON THE WORLD STAGE Vivien Gibson, D. Baker, Bob Stuckey, Jerry W. Hardin 18 There are now over three million ethical, non-religious people from thirty-two countries linked to IHEU, the International Humanist and Ethical Union. So reports SPES member Matt Cherry from IHEU's OBITUARIES base in Utrecht, the Netherlands, where he has recently Rose Warwick 2 assumed the post of Secretary for Development and PR. Frank Ambrose Ridley 20 Matt is actively resisting the tendency in Germany today to blame the rise of Nazism on irreligion, calling this a "terrible misunderstanding of the lessons of history'. Many of the great moral responses to the WHY I DO NOT CALL horrors of Nansm were non-religious. Survivors such as MYSELF AN ATHEIST Primo Levi and Jacob Bronowski emphasised the need Prot Sir Hermann Bondi, to base moral and social principles on humanity rather F.R.S. 21 than on any `higher' authority, whether religious belief or totalitarian dogma. Increasingly, this humanist belief ETHICAL SOCIETY is under threat from fundamentalist religion. We hope PROGRAMME 24 Germany will resist this threat. He is also working with German humanists to alter the preamble to a proposed new German constitution so that it no longer implies all German citizens are responsible to God, which would violate the secularist principle of the separation of church and state." SOUTH PLACE ETHICAL SOCIETY Conway Hall Humanist Centre 25 Red Lion Square, London WC IR 4RL. Telephone: 071-831 7723 Appointed Lecturers Harold Blackham, T.F. Evans, Peter Heales, Richard Scorer, Barbara Smoker, Harry Stopes-Roe, Nicolas Walter. Officers Honorary Representative: Nicolas Walter. General Committee Chairman: Barbara Smoker. Treasurer Don Liversedge. Editor, The Ethical Record: Norman Bacrac. Librarian: Edwina Palmer. Registrar: Marion Granville. Secretary to the Society: Nina Khare. Tel: 071-831 7723 (The Secretary's office is now on the 2nd Floor, Bradlaugh House, 47 Theobald's Road) Hall Staff Manager:Stephen Norley. Tel: 071-242 8032 for Hall bookings. Head Caretaker David Wright. ROSE WARWICK It is with regret that we have to report the death of Rose Warwick on 7th April at the age of 90. Her funeral was conducted by Peter Cadogan. She was a long standing member of SPES, having joined before the Society moved to Conway Hall, and she and her husband Oliver played an important part in the affairs of the Society, especially in the earlier days at Conway Hall. They worked hard for SPES. Oliver was a Trustee and served for many years on the GC. Rose was supportive, a loyal member and attended and took part in our functions. She was a good speaker and would give talks to the Sundary afternoon Socials, and show slides of her travels abroad. Her sons too have played their part, Justin also serving on the GC and Conrad, like his father, leading rambles in Epping Forest. Rose was sensible, generous, kindly and interested in the rights of women. We admired her energy and spirit and were glad to have her as a Member of SPES. Louise Booker Members' Names and Addresses It has been our normal practice to print both names and addresses of our members in the Annual Report. If you do NOT wish to have your address published, please let me know, in writing, as soon as possible. Nina Khare, Secretary SOUTH PLACE ETHICAL SOCIETY Registered Charity No. 251396 Founded in 1793, the Society is a progressive movement whose aims are the study and dissemination of ethical principles based on humanism, the cultivation of a rational and humane way of life, and the advancement of research and education in all relevant fields. We invite to membership all those who reject supernatural creeds and tind themselves in sympathy with our views. At Conway Hall there are opportunities for participation in many kinds of cultural activities, including discussions, lectures, concerts and socials. The Sunday Evening Chamber Music Concerts founded in 1887 have achieved international renown. A reference and lending library is available, and all members receive the Society's journal, The Ethical Recordeleven times a year. Funerals and Memorial Meetings are available to members. Membership is £10 p.a. Please apply to the Secretary for Membership Application forms. The views expressed in this journal are not necessary those of the Society 2 Ethical Record, April, 1994 BACK TO BASICS WITH TROLLOPE AND THE WAY WE LIVE NOW T.F. Evans Lecture to the Ethical Society, 10 April 1994 ... a certain class of dishonesty, dishonesty magnificent in its proportions, and climbing into high places, has become at the same time so rampant and so splendid that there seems to be reason for fearing that men and women will be taught to feel that dishonesty, if it can become splendid, will cease to be abominable. If dishonesty can live in a gorgeous palace with pictures on all its walls, and gems in all its cupboards, with marble and ivory in all its corners, and can give Apician dinners, and get into Parliament, and deal in millions, then dishonesty is not disgraceful, and the man dishonest after such a fashion is not a low scoundrel. Anthony Trollope An Autobiography 1883 If you come to grief and creditors are craving (For nothing Lhat is planned by mortal head Is certain in this Vale of Sorrow — saving That one's Liability is Limited), — Do you suppose that signifies perdition? If so, you're but a monetary dunce — You merely file a Winding-Up Petition, And start another Company at once! As a Company you've come to utter sorrow — But the liquidators say, "Never mind — you needn't pay", So you start another Company tomorrow! W.S. Gilbert Utopia Limited 1893 Major Importance It will be immediately apparent to all but a few exactly why Trollope has been chosen to start our thinking. Shortly after the present Prime Minister took office, he was given, among other signs of recognition and acceptance, the one unquestionable indication that he was to have an assured place in the hall of British fame. He was invited to appear as a guest on the BBC Radio 4 programme, Desert Island Discs! At the end of the programme, he was asked the three ritual questions: first as to which piece of music he would take, if he could take one only; second which book he would take and third, which luxury he would like. (The luxury he wanted was a full-scale replica of the Oval cricket ground and, to the surprise of all listeners, he was allowed this). It is the choice of book which interests us for John Major selected, surprisingly, a novel by Trollope, The Small House at Allington. Trollope has been a popular novelist during the present century and older members may recall the excellent serials made on BBC radio from the Trollope Barsetshire novels during the war years. Yet, there are always doubts about him. The Guardian columnist, Edward Pearce, remarked recently that Trollope is often the favourite writer of those who do not really like literature. Certainly, he is very readable and gives a credible picture of several strains of mid-Victorian society. The Small House at Allington is a pleasant enough Ethical Record, May, 1994 3 love story but, if the castaway had read it once, he would soon find, on second reading, that the fall of the waves on the shore would lull him to sleep before he reached the end. Political Views What is more relevant today is that Trol lope wrote a long novel called The Way We Live Now published in monthly parts beginning in 1874 and as a book in 1875. As the title suggests, Trol lope wanted to take a look at certain features of Victorian society. He was interested in politics but could not be called a profound political thinker. Despite the tone of the passage that has been quoted, he was no revolutionary. He greatly regretted the deepest divisions in society and wanted, as he once said, to do what he could, to bring the Duke and the dustman a little more closely together. He called himself a "conservative liberal" and, in case this title causes a wry smile, it has to be added that Gladstone still described himself thus after he had headed a nominally Liberal government. Trollope always felt that "to sit in the British Parliament should be the highest object of ambition to every educated Englishman". He fought one campaign as liberal candidate for Beverley in the East Riding of Yorkshire, hated every minute of it and finished at the bottom of the poll. Among the features of electioneering that disgusted him was the amount of bribery that went on on both sides. He noted that "there was something grand in the scorn with which a leading Liberal turned up his nose at me when I told him that there should be no bribery, no treating, not even a pot of beer on our side". It was no consolation to him after the poll that his Liberal associates brought a petition against the victorious Tories and had them unseated for improper practices during the campaign. He did not play any part in this. Commercial Profligacy of the Age Trollope wrote The Way We Live Now because he was struck by what he conceived to be the "commercial profligacy of the age".
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Holders of Ministerial Office in the Conservative Governments 1979-1997
    Holders of Ministerial Office in the Conservative Governments 1979-1997 Parliamentary Information List Standard Note: SN/PC/04657 Last updated: 11 March 2008 Author: Department of Information Services All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this data. Nevertheless the complexity of Ministerial appointments, changes in the machinery of government and the very large number of Ministerial changes between 1979 and 1997 mean that there may be some omissions from this list. Where an individual was a Minister at the time of the May 1997 general election the end of his/her term of office has been given as 2 May. Finally, where possible the exact dates of service have been given although when this information was unavailable only the month is given. The Parliamentary Information List series covers various topics relating to Parliament; they include Bills, Committees, Constitution, Debates, Divisions, The House of Commons, Parliament and procedure. Also available: Research papers – impartial briefings on major bills and other topics of public and parliamentary concern, available as printed documents and on the Intranet and Internet. Standard notes – a selection of less formal briefings, often produced in response to frequently asked questions, are accessible via the Internet. Guides to Parliament – The House of Commons Information Office answers enquiries on the work, history and membership of the House of Commons. It also produces a range of publications about the House which are available for free in hard copy on request Education web site – a web site for children and schools with information and activities about Parliament. Any comments or corrections to the lists would be gratefully received and should be sent to: Parliamentary Information Lists Editor, Parliament & Constitution Centre, House of Commons, London SW1A OAA.
    [Show full text]
  • Avoiding Elective Dictatorship in the United Kingdom: Debate on Constitutional and Electoral Reform Through Proportional Representation John A
    Hastings International and Comparative Law Review Volume 16 Article 5 Number 3 Spring 1993 1-1-1993 Avoiding Elective Dictatorship in the United Kingdom: Debate on Constitutional and Electoral Reform through Proportional Representation John A. Zecca Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.uchastings.edu/ hastings_international_comparative_law_review Part of the Comparative and Foreign Law Commons, and the International Law Commons Recommended Citation John A. Zecca, Avoiding Elective Dictatorship in the United Kingdom: Debate on Constitutional and Electoral Reform through Proportional Representation, 16 Hastings Int'l & Comp. L. Rev. 425 (1993). Available at: https://repository.uchastings.edu/hastings_international_comparative_law_review/vol16/iss3/5 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at UC Hastings Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Hastings International and Comparative Law Review by an authorized editor of UC Hastings Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Avoiding "Elective Dictatorship" in the United Kingdom: Debate on Constitutional and Electoral Reform Through Proportional Representation By JoHN A. ZECCA* We are moving more and more in the direction of an elective dicta- torship... because the opposed parties, becoming more and more po- larized in their attitudes ... in the presence of narrow majorities ... believe that the prerogativesand rights conferred by electoral victory... compel [them] to impose on the hapless but unorganized majority irre- versible changesfor which it [the majority]never consciously voted. -Lord Hailsham, former Lord Chancellorof the JudicialHouse of Lords, Britain's highest court1 A rarity among nations, the United Kingdom (UK) has no formal written constitution to provide an ultimate guide to questions of govern- ment.
    [Show full text]
  • Secrets No. 4
    Newspaper of the Campaign for Freedom of Information Numb.er4 50p Campaign begins 1985 with Fol Bills before Commons After a year in which freedom of Squire Bill will now open those information has maintained a committees to public scrutiny as high place on Britain's public and well. .political agenda, the Campaign "It has also been absurd that for Freedom of Information be­ people who attend meetings have gins 1985 with three FoI Bills not been able to have access to the aboutto come before the Houseof papers that would make sense of Commons . the discussions they hear . The Three Members of Parliament, Squire Billwould make the appro­ two Conservative and one Lab­ priate paperwork available ." our, have taken advantage oftheir Robin Squire has been leader of top ten places in the ballot for the majority party on a London Private Member's Bills to intro­ borough council and thus is well­ Robin Squire (above), MP for Horn­ duce their own legislation to equipped to understand the prob­ church, a local councillor for 14 yean, further accountability at local lems involved for both local including 3 years as leader of the London level. authorities and public, and to Borougb of Sutton, is currently parlia· negotiate support from local mentsry Private Secretary to tbe Minister The Conservative MP Robin of State and parliamentary Under Sec­ Squire is to introduce a Bill to authorities. retary of State at the Dept. of Transport. extend freedom of information in The driving force behind the Bill local authorities (see page 7). is the Community Rights Project, Labour's Gerry Bermingham a sister organisation of the High Court backs will introduce a Bill to force water Campaign for Freedom of Infor­ authorities to meet in public (see mation.
    [Show full text]
  • Newspaper' of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. Price 5P. November 1973
    Newspaper' of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. Price 5p. November 1973 Newspaper' of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. Price 5p. November 1973 Asml, asemge gin th r~y~o o 0e a £4L.7 solemnlyIprcaI h S a gf G ina iesu. 24hSetmerI7 Howthepeole f Gine Bisauprolaied hei inepedene: enrpg es. ACTION-NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL Britain Manchester MANCHESTER Anti-Apartheid Movement is to hold a public meeting on Friday November 9 at 7.30pm at Town Hall Basement Theatre, Manchester. The main speaker will be John Hosey who recently returned from attending the trial of the Pretoria Six in South Africa. On Friday November 30 Manchester AAM will hold its Annual General Meeting at 8pm at the Lass o'Gowrie, Charter St., Manchester. Peter Hilldrew of the Guardian will speak on his recent visit to South Africa. The group is planning to run a market stall selling white elephants and good-as-new clothing in December and January to raise funds. Saleable contributions to Manchester AAM, 565 Wilmslow Rd., Manchester 20. Phone Manchester 445 2940. Conference A CONFERENCE on 'South Africa and Us' was called by Norwest Cooperative Society, Manchesfer and Salford Trades Council and Manchester Anti-Apartheid Movement on Saturday October 13. It was attended by an audience of about 100. Dick Seabrook, ex-President of USDAW, outlined the danger to British workers of Britain's close involvement with South Africa, where cheap and controlled labour promised quick returns. for big business. Ben Turok ofthe -African National Congress of South Africa pointed out the fallacy of the cry that boycotts hurt the Africans, He said that trade boycotts operated mainly against South African fruit which was- produced by prisonlabour or contract workers who were paid a pittance.
    [Show full text]
  • Living Former Members of the House of Commons
    BRIEFING PAPER Number 05324, 7 January 2019 Living former Members Compiled by of the House of Sarah Priddy Commons Living former Members MPs are listed with any titles at the time they ceased to be an MP and the party they belonged to at the time. The list does not include MPs who now sit in the House of Lords. A list of members of the House of Lords who were Members of the House of Commons can be found on the Parliament website under House of Lords FAQs. Further information More detailed information on MPs who served between 1979 and 2010, including ministerial posts and party allegiance, covering their time in the UK Parliament and other legislatures, can be found in the Commons Library Briefing on Members 1979-2010. Association of Former Members of Parliament The PoliticsHome website has contact details for the Association of Former Members of Parliament. Parliament: facts and figures • Browse all briefings in the series This series of publications contains data on various subjects relating to Parliament and Government. Topics include legislation, MPs, select committees, debates, divisions and Parliamentary procedure. Feedback Any comments, corrections or suggestions for new lists should be sent to the Parliament and Constitution Centre. Suggestions for new lists welcomed. www.parliament.uk/commons-library | intranet.parliament.uk/commons-library | [email protected] | @commonslibrary Living former Members of the House of Commons Note: Does not include MPs who are now sit in the House of Lords Name Full Title Party* List Name Mr
    [Show full text]
  • Havering Election Results 1964 – 2014 a History of Fortunes of the Labour Party in Elections in the Borough
    Havering Election Results 1964 – 2014 A history of fortunes of the Labour Party in elections in the Borough 1 Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3 1964 Election Birth of a new Borough ................................................................................... 5 Bill Fiske obituary .................................................................................................................... 8 Bertie Edwin Roycraft ........................................................................................................... 11 1968 Election – A rude awakening as London rebels ......................................................... 11 1971 Election – Victory! ........................................................................................................ 14 1971 Footnote ......................................................................................................................... 17 Michael Ward -Labour MP and local government expert ............................................... 18 1974 Election – Three elections in a nine months… ........................................................... 21 1978 Election – Boundary Changes and grim times. .......................................................... 25 1982 Election – the more things change ............................................................................... 29 1986 Election – the fightback begins.... ...............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • British Conservatism and the Legal Regulation of Intimate Adult Relationships, 1983-2013
    British Conservatism and the Legal Regulation of Intimate Adult Relationships, 1983-2013 Andrew Norman Gilbert UCL Doctor of Philosophy DECLARATION I, Andrew Norman Gilbert confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis. Signed Dated ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very grateful to my primary supervisor, Professor Alison Diduck, for her enthusiasm for this project, her encouragement from the earliest stages of my writing, and her example as a scholar. Thanks also to Professor Michael Freeman, my secondary supervisor, especially for his insights into eighties Britain in general, and the Thatcher phenomenon in particular. I might never have begun this work were it not for the gentle promptings of Dr Penny English. I thank her for her support throughout this project. Friends and colleagues, especially Professor John Gardner and Professor Rob Home, have provided sage advice and kept my spirits up. Anglia Ruskin University gave funding support and an invaluable period of sabbatical leave. I acknowledge the help of Jeremy McIlwaine, keeper of the Conservative Party archive at the Bodleian, and staff at the National Archives, in accessing some of the material I drew on in chapter four. It is appropriate in a thesis about family that family played a significant part in the realisation of my research aims. I am indebted to the unconditional love and support from my mother and late father (Irene and John Gilbert), and from Lionel and Barbara Scott. Truly, this thesis would not have been completed but for Beckie’s constant and cheerful support.
    [Show full text]
  • Havweing Fabian Newsletter
    2015 HAVERING FABIAN September 2015 In this edition; Jeremy Corbyn Message from Ivana Bartoletti Margaret Mullane - Defeating UKIP- a view from the Ground- Contact, Conversation and Community Chadwell Heath Asian Women’s Network Louise Woodall – the “jilted generation” The next installment of our series to mark 50 years of Havering in 2015 -the Havering Council Elections 1982 GLA Campaign launch Future meetings 21st September Matthew Godwin 5th October Martin Edobor 3RD November Naushabah Khan January – date to be confirmed - Ivana Bartoletti 5th February Wes Streeting Havering Fabian Society Newsletter Volume 2 Edition 24 HAVERING FABIAN VOLUME 2 EDITION 24 September 2015 Introduction Welcome to the new edition of the Havering Fabian Newsletter. We reflect on recent meetings the impact of the election in May 2015, and the Labour leadership election. Our presence on social media is bringing us closer to a number of new organisations, and we welcome their involvement. The next edition will include an article from Chadwell Heath Asian Women’s group. We continue the series on the Council elections in Havering since 1964, bringing you the results, the personalities and the movement in the politics of the borough. We are short on details for the earlier years (although we do have all the results) so if you can help we would be glad to hear from you. Keep up to date at our twitter site @haveringfabians for the latest news. We are affiliated to the four local Labour Parties, and will do all we can to support their campaigns. Both Romford and the Hornchurch and Upminster Labour parties have upgraded their websites and are active on Twitter – no doubt both will be used to keep you up to date as the campaigns take shape.
    [Show full text]
  • Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Bill [Bill 41 of 1995/96]
    Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Bill [Bill 41 of 1995/96] Research Paper 96/8 18 January 1996 This paper examines the background to, and the provisions of, the Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Bill presented in the House of Commons on 10 January 1996. The Bill seeks to amend the law to provide for the making of grants in respect of nursery education in England and Wales. Although the Bill makes no mention of a voucher scheme, the Government has made it clear that it intends to use the provisions of the Bill to introduce a nursery voucher scheme throughout England and Wales. Separate arrangements are being made for Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Bill also seeks to empower the governing bodies of grant-maintained schools in England and Wales to borrow from private sources. It is due to be debated on Second Reading on 22 January 1996. Christine Gillie, Gillian Allen Education & Social Services Section House of Commons Library Library Research Papers are compiled for the benefit of Members of Parliament and their personal staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of these papers with Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public. CONTENTS Page Part I Nursery Education A. Background 5 B. Proposals for a Pre-School Voucher Scheme 7 1. The 6 July 1995 Announcements 7 2. Main developments since the July announcements 9 3. Nursery Education Scheme: the Next Steps Document 11 4. Reactions and Issues 17 C. The Bill: Clauses 1-5 and Schedules 1 and 2 and 21 Clauses 7-9 and Schedule 3 D.
    [Show full text]
  • The Origins of New Labor's Multicultural Education Policy
    Building a tolerant society : the origins of New Labor's multicultural education policy Author: Melanie Bashor Persistent link: http://hdl.handle.net/2345/961 This work is posted on eScholarship@BC, Boston College University Libraries. Boston College Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, 2009 Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted. Boston College The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Department of History BUILDING A TOLERANT SOCIETY: THE ORIGINS OF NEW LABOR'S MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION POLICY A Thesis by MELANIE BASHOR submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts May 2009 © copyright by MELANIE DIANNE BASHOR 2009 BUILDING A TOLERANT SOCIETY: THE ORIGINS OF NEW LABOR'S MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION POLICY Melanie Bashor Thesis Chair: Peter H. Weiler In 1997, New Labor embraced an ideal of multiculturalism in an attempt to foster a particular brand of open communication and respectful cooperation among different individuals and cultural groups. This MA thesis investigates the background to one aspect of this multiculturalism, New Labor's education policies. The thesis shows how New Labor's current multicultural ideal originated in the 1960s in Labor's attempts to combat racial discrimination. As its attempts proved inadequate, Labor expanded its understanding of what was necessary to create a tolerant society, including educational policies that fostered tolerance, respect for different cultural groups, and personal responsibility. During eighteen years spent in opposition to a Conservative majority government, Labor refined its ideal of multiculturalism in debates, forging a path from the idealistic and radical reforms of the 1960s and 1970s toward New Labor's middle way.
    [Show full text]
  • Secrets No. 2
    Newspaper of the Campaign for Freedom of Information Campaign finds sweeping support for 'right to know The launch of the Campaign for Time', firmly supported Fol Freedom of Information has been legislation, and another senior widely welcomed by supporters of all Labour Shadow Cabinet member, How MP's may political parties, and by individuals Robin Cook, in his weekly column in and organisations the length and the Times, called for repeal of the promote Fol breadth ofthe country. Official Secrets Act. Parliamentary supporters have increased to 211. As we report on page 2, the legislation number of major organisations Support also came from The Campaign for Freedom of involved in the coalition has, in just unexpected quarters. Sir Douglas Information will this summer publish 15 weeks, increased to 47, and civil Wass, former Joint Head of the Civil a comprehensive Freedom of service and public sector trade unions Service, and Permanent Secretary at Information Bill, including positive are well represented. the Treasury, who in his Reith proposals for a statutory "right to lectures late in 1983 had condemned know" but also clauses to protect The three opposition parties have excessive secrecy, now went a step information which necessarily must taken every opportunity to further and identified himself with remain confidential. It will, therefore, emphasise their support and their both introduce a fresh and free the campaign. "I now believe the case approach to disclosure of information determination to act if elected to is made for repeal of Section 2 of the and also replace the Official Secrets office. Elsewhere in this newspaper, Official Secrets Act and the Act as a protective measure for Labour leader Neil Kinnock, in an introduction of legislation to give information exempted from exclusive article, expresses his greater public access to official disclosure.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Introduction 2 Wage Supplements and the New Poor
    Notes 1 Introduction 1 . Defined as an hourly wage, below two-thirds of the median (£7.69 in April 2013). 2 . In common with previous economic crises (see Mungham, 1982; Davies, 1986; Finn, 1987; Brown, 1990) the 2008/09 economic crisis disproportionately affected young people. While youth unemployment was rising before the crisis, it nevertheless increased rapidly during it, peaking at 20% in the winter of 2012. By the autumn of 2014 it stood at 16.6% (Fergusson, 2013, Hough, 2014) and nearly a third (29%) of unemployed young people were long-term unemployed (i.e. they had been unemployed for twelve months or more) (Hough, 2014). 3 . References to a cost of living crisis have been made by analysts of various political back- grounds – see, for example, the centre left position expressed by the then Leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband’s Cost of Living Crisis speech of November 2013 (http://labour- list.org/2013/11/ed-milibands-cost-of-living-crisis-speech-full-text/ , accessed 9 January 2015), and from a right-wing perspective the Institute of Economic Affairs (http://www. iea.org.uk/blog/cost-of-living-crisis-causes-and-solutions , accessed 9 January 2015) and Centre for Policy Studies (Morgan, 2014). 4 . The neo-Marxian tradition upon which the book draws explains the use of the term ‘wage work’. Marx (1976, originally 1867) distinguished between work as an activity (labour) and the capacity of people to do work (labour power). He argued that people always have to work to fulfill their needs, to sustain their lives.
    [Show full text]