Mattism

The only way to understand the present is by understanding the past, as Tertuliano Maximo Afonso (or should I say Jose Saramago) explained “the only serious discussion to be taken as regards the teaching of history is whether we should teach it from back to front or from front to back”- in that from studing history from front to back you can start to unravel why today’s world is the way it is. That is why I study history. I did so at degree level and I am doing so at masters level. I do this to understand, to learn, to develop, and this is how I see my politics.

Although I consider myself ‘of the Left’ and I full-heartedly disagree with those policies that are associated with those ‘on the Right’, I detest the notion of ‘party line’. As with Orwell, I am unable to find my positioning on the Left, although I am a supporter of the Green Party. I dislike the terminology of ideology, although I believe that ideology is the most important aspect of world development and politics.

It may seem from these comments that I am confused as to my place in the world, but let me assure you I am certain in my standing. We should not be bound by the terms of ideology and the party line. As described I see myself ‘of the Left’, but then the Left can be considered within the bounds of the Communists and Anarchists, to New Labour and arguably (and very loosely) to the BNP- and I feel no affiliation whatsoever to any of these political groupings, especially the later two. My beliefs and political understandings are continuously evolving and will continue to do so throughout my life. So please don’t assert upon me the same views as those on the Left are ‘supposed’ to believe. There is no correct party line to follow to utopia.

Any of those who consider themselves firm in their beliefs or believe they are ideologically sound are denying themselves. They are denying themselves the joys of knowledge, of ideological evolution. They are also denying everyone else of a better life, although this only really applies when in power. Beliefs and ideology should evolve from the ability to learn and to the benefit of society. Of course this does not open the doors from being a Communist one year to a Fascist the next then to a religious fundamentalist the year after. Principles and belief can still evolve along the ideological path you wish to take, but they should not be bound by a particular party line or for what you believe you should believe.

I am forever leaping through spouts of political activism and ‘normal’ life, desperate for things to change but then longing for a simple place in the world I can call my own and live undisturbed by the most serious of stresses of the outside world. I join political activism groups that interest me in which I am mostly active but sometimes dormant but then the affiliation at least feels me with hope in that there are some people out there fighting for what I consider to be right and I am not alone.

Politics is of course about improving the lives of the population and finding the best path to which to do that, so in that sense I believe that the main difference between the left and the right is the disagreement in that path we should take. I do not believe that New Labour and the Tories serve only by self-interest, but at the same time I believe that the electoral system and the attitude of voters (or should I say non-voters) has dramatically changed the shape of what is the majority. Of course it is the voters voice that shapes the country and the less who vote the more direct line the country takes which of course may not suit the population. This is where the self-interest in human nature takes its shape and distorts the reality of the way people really feel.

I also don’t see the country as ‘going down the pits’, this is only the reaction of the right-wing media to issues that are indeed mishandled but not to blame such as immigration and political correctness for example, the later of which I believe is a consequence of right-wing affluence.

I will continue to fight my corner and develop my understanding of the world and what I think needs to be done, but I do ask, before you tell me what you think I believe to ask me first and I will bestow upon you the same graciousness of the absence of ignorance that people tend to forget when discussing politics with a ‘Leftie’.

But until then, please consider my belief’s, my ideology, my understanding as ‘under construction’ for the long foreseeable future.

[Taken directly from the page 'Mattism']