Comments on: My new progressivism. Part three, politics http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/my-new-progressivism-part-three-politics/ Politics, brains, social action and the day to day life of the RSA’s chief executive Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:39:05 +0000 hourly 1 By: RSA Connected Communities http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/my-new-progressivism-part-three-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-935 RSA Connected Communities Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:22:36 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=864#comment-935 [...] Now, just to get nerdy for a moment or three, that’s an interesting account of what being a citizen is. Andy P is not excited about us voting or paying our taxes. It’s what most people would call engaging with civil society, the stuff beyond ourselves but outside of the state. It’s not actually that new and, as befits an organisation that was founded by a group of friends in a coffee shop, we’re rather keen on it. [...] [...] Now, just to get nerdy for a moment or three, that’s an interesting account of what being a citizen is. Andy P is not excited about us voting or paying our taxes. It’s what most people would call engaging with civil society, the stuff beyond ourselves but outside of the state. It’s not actually that new and, as befits an organisation that was founded by a group of friends in a coffee shop, we’re rather keen on it. [...]

]]> By: matthewtaylor http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/my-new-progressivism-part-three-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-557 matthewtaylor Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:19:09 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=864#comment-557 Hi Anne, hope you had a good break in the sun! I guess my point is that if you really want to consult people you would expose them to the arguemtns on each side of the issue. As the Sun had been running a powerful campaign to remove the Director its consultation was surely better understood as an attempt to confirm its stance? But, thanks for reading my blog - I am honoured! Hi Anne, hope you had a good break in the sun! I guess my point is that if you really want to consult people you would expose them to the arguemtns on each side of the issue. As the Sun had been running a powerful campaign to remove the Director its consultation was surely better understood as an attempt to confirm its stance? But, thanks for reading my blog – I am honoured!

]]> By: anne mcelvoy http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/my-new-progressivism-part-three-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-549 anne mcelvoy Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:41:12 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=864#comment-549 So Matthew, does the new progressivism really rule out asking people for their views on things: or only the readers you think will agree with you to start with? (seeing as you know best what is "indefensible" of course) . Why should any paper not ask its readers for their views on a major story: which Haringey and the role of the director of social services was? That is the bit that strikes me as indefensible, now you mention it. So Matthew, does the new progressivism really rule out asking people for their views on things: or only the readers you think will agree with you to start with? (seeing as you know best what is “indefensible” of course) .

Why should any paper not ask its readers for their views on a major story: which Haringey and the role of the director of social services was? That is the bit that strikes me as indefensible, now you mention it.

]]> By: Paul Henckel http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/my-new-progressivism-part-three-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-534 Paul Henckel Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:39:28 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=864#comment-534 I am reading through this weeks posts now and must say it's positively invigorating me by the minute. I like this progressive attitude, and feel that the 'us and us' approach for decision making already is starting to show some signs of emerging from the political landscape. Most recently I became aware of a site by the US government providing transparency of government budgets http://www.usaspending.gov/ (something which I at least haven't seen a counterpart to here in Denmark yet). As I see it right now at least, transparency is a precondition for the 'us and us' to have something to work with. I guess that is also what was alluded to in your Part two - the data is out there, it just hasn't been analysed yet (makes me think of Gapminder). I am also thinking if Parecon will have a role to play in the future (http://www.zmag.org/znet/topics/parecon). I am reading through this weeks posts now and must say it’s positively invigorating me by the minute. I like this progressive attitude, and feel that the ‘us and us’ approach for decision making already is starting to show some signs of emerging from the political landscape. Most recently I became aware of a site by the US government providing transparency of government budgets http://www.usaspending.gov/ (something which I at least haven’t seen a counterpart to here in Denmark yet). As I see it right now at least, transparency is a precondition for the ‘us and us’ to have something to work with. I guess that is also what was alluded to in your Part two – the data is out there, it just hasn’t been analysed yet (makes me think of Gapminder).
I am also thinking if Parecon will have a role to play in the future (http://www.zmag.org/znet/topics/parecon).

]]> By: matthewtaylor http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/thersa/my-new-progressivism-part-three-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-529 matthewtaylor Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:26:38 +0000 http://www.matthewtaylorsblog.com/?p=864#comment-529 Cheers Dominic. Really liked your site. Us Now is an interestng contribution to the debate and I'm glad the RSA was able it support it. Sadly, the film makers couldn't resist some cheap and dishonest politican bashing (editing an iv with Ed Milband to make him look idiotic) but it's good otherwise Cheers Dominic. Really liked your site. Us Now is an interestng contribution to the debate and I’m glad the RSA was able it support it. Sadly, the film makers couldn’t resist some cheap and dishonest politican bashing (editing an iv with Ed Milband to make him look idiotic) but it’s good otherwise

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