May 1st
When we lived in France it was pretty much the one day in the year that things stopped and historically it is known as International Workers Day but in the UK (and much of Europe) it has been a celebration prior to this as a quarter day associated with the arrival of spring.
Now that the working classes are no longer seen as the salt of the earth and we have become aspirational in our desires for status and worldly goods the celebrations associated with a working class movement are far rarer.
All the 1s -Idea 111 is Voting Systems
Following on from democracy (yesterday and also ahead of many local UK elections) it is worth looking at how representatives in our governments and councils are elected.
It Athens where the constituent was measured in thousands it was possible to have an engaged population who would debate and vote but with the growth of population, widening of the electorate has meant that we delegate our democratic rights to MPs and councillors (in England), these 'stand' on a manifesto which is put to the people who choose a representative.
In England we have (mainly) a first past the post system for National Assemblies/devolved parliaments a more complex system is used.
The advantage that some people see to 'first past the post' is that it tends to produce strong stable governments (particularly when there are 2 main political parties) but in the multi-party world (Cons, Labour, Lib Dems and UKIP for example) the danger is that a party that most people do not like can have control as the opposition is split. This has leads to transferable vote systems where a second and third choice can be made.
In the UK parliament the government is formed by a majority of MPs agreeing to support a party (or parties in the present coalition).
In the USA a very different form of selection is used.
Nice explanation from the Electoral Reform guys here (as you might expect).
Some good news, having reported that my previous plantings of Asparagus had not amounted to anything on closer inspection I see that at least two of them are doing just fine, perhaps others will spring to life too.
Yesterday I also decided was a good day for sowing the main crop potatoes they're Maris Pipers (as last year) a nice potato that can be Chipped, Roasted or Mashed.
Idea 110 Democracy
Democracy is all about government in which all eligible citizens have a supposedly equal say in the decisions that affect their lives.
It is defined as
Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
A political or social unit that has such a government.
The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.
it enables majority rule.
and in itare the principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community
Mr C
The first practical example of democracy emerged in 6th Century BC Athens and although this was considered a Democracy women and slaves did not actively participate as they were not eligible. Rome too had a democracy of a kind (509-27 BC) and in this form even a Plebeian voice was heard. After these two democracies Monarchs were generally running things and when they consulted it was with the church or the wealthy and powerful.
It was not until the 20th Century that Democracy as we know it began to spread and suffrage (the vote) became universal including lower orders and women. Now are democracies are representative with elected MPs (in the UK) who reflect their constituents desires.
As Churchill is quoted as saying... democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
I have sown the herbs Thyme and Oregano
in small pots and hope they will provide a useful addition to the flavouring needs at home.
Spaced around 182 apart holes for Asparagus Crowns
Thyme (as oil of thyme ) was in past times used to medicate bandages and Hippocrates is known to have used oregano as an antiseptic and a cure for stomach and respiratory ailments.
Yesterday I took the small Tomato plants to the 'lean to' greenhouse and also planted 3 bargain Asparagus
plants - I'm not sure how well those I planted last year are doing.
Tomatoes are known to help strengthen the immune system
and are thought to help battle cancer
and some say that Asparagus is useful in the battle against aging.
Idea 109 Totalitarianism
Not much left
Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator and is not restricted by a constitution or laws or an opposition.
There are many examples of Totalitarian governments the government of North Korea is a particularly fine and current example with the young despotic Kim Jong Il following the style of his father making this Totalitarian dynasty.
Totalitarianism supresses the 'civil society' and its use of Mass Communication means that is a product of the 20th century.
Here's a link to a Philosophy Bites podcast featuring Melissa Lane linking Plato's The republic to the concept of Totalitarianism.
The UK economy continues to 'bump along the bottom' (as Ed Balls would say) and was pretty much saved from going into the much talked about triple dip recession by the service sectors continued strength.
One of the challenges remains around the investment in growth and although the banking sector now has a large portion of UK taxpayers money it remains wary of releasing funds to where they are most needed.
The Co-Op bank with its strong ethical record was someway in to negotiations to purchase a reconstituted TSB from Lloyds group (mandated by the EU) but has now stepped back saying that the deal is not worthwhile at this time.
Not a casino - Ealing Co Op bank moves next door
Now I'm in a mixed mind about the failure to reach a deal I've been with the Co-Op bank for many years (having left Lloyds because I wasn't happy with it), We also had a TSB account (now part of Lloyds bank) so potentially (perhaps) we could have moved what is now a Lloyds account back to what it had been a TSB account (as part of a bigger Co Op bank).
Other entrants to the high street banking sector are now beginning to emerge the Metro Bank is one example and Bank of Dave is also waving a flag for a more dynamic community based service in Bradford.
Perhaps there's a disjoint between the expectations of casino capitalism and the benefits of growth and full employment that a more radical solution could bring- my feelings are that energy saving investments and new housing deserve focus these could help people's quality of life as well as triggering greater high street spending.
More sowing
Yesterday I managed to put up a little cover for fledgling plants(right) and also sowed Radishes and Beetroot - it's really amazing to have so many seedlings around the place!
Idea 108 Absolutism
Absolutism means that the ultimate authority in the state is rested in the hands of a King (or Queen) who claims to rule by divine right. It is a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator and has complete and unrestricted power in government. Since the Kings (or Queens) received their power from God, their authority was absolute. Under absolutism the King (or Queen) has the power to make laws, administer justice, control the state's administrative system, and determine foreign policy.
King James I of England considered that ...
'the divine rights of Kings was about the belief that the King (or Queen) had a royal absolutism on their people and believed that his (or her) right to rule came directly form the will of god and anybody who oppose it shall be a traitor to god.
(King James I was succeeded by his son Charles I who battled with Oliver Cromwell in the English Civil war so a good lesson perhaps) - nice video of the times of Absolutism below
