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Politics for idiots.
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Author:  cloaked_wolf [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:57 am ]
Post subject:  Politics for idiots.
I've never been interested in politics. Even with the last election, I found myself not knowing where I truly stood. I still don't know where each newspaper stands. I've tried wikipedia but found I vet bored very quickly.

Anyone know Of any useful sites where I can learn about politics.
Author:  lumbthelesser [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
I still have little interest in UK politics, and find it difficult to understand the distinctions between the main parties. My vote was almost based on 'shut my eyes and see where the pen lands on the paper'.
On the other hand, I find American politics fascinating, much more distinct, and much easier to follow.
Basically, If anyone does know of such a site, I would be interested too.
Author:  E. F. Benson [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
Try here

http://www.totalpolitics.com/

http://www.newstatesman.com/

http://www.private-eye.co.uk/
Author:  pcernie [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
E. F. Benson wrote:
http://www.private-eye.co.uk/


Be warned though, if you didn't think much of them before, PE's not gonna help ;)

I've no idea where my interest in politics comes from (however developed, though it's always been there), but it's certainly been bolstered by x404 :)
Author:  bobbdobbs [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
Oversimplified politics.

Conservatives: they will shaft you
Labour:they will shaft you.
Liberal Democrats:they will shaft you.
Greens and other minority parties: can actually have beliefs but will probably shaft you if they had the chance.
Author:  HeatherKay [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
cloaked_wolf wrote:
Anyone know Of any useful sites where I can learn about politics.


If you get the time, check out the BBC Parliament channel on Freeview. It can take a while to get to understand the odd methods and traditions, but it does show the workings of national and devolved government in the UK.
Author:  adidan [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
lumbthelesser wrote:
find it difficult to understand the distinctions between the main parties.

Politics has changed, I find it difficult for the same reason.

In the 70's and 80's it was more distinct, vote Labour and society would shut down because the Unions were too powerful, vote Tory if you wanted to destroy any form of society whatsoever and become people who would burn their own grandma just to keep warm.

There's never really been a good choice but then democracy is largely an illusion, you're made to feel you have more of a say in your own destiny but, in reality, you haven't any more choice than a rat in a maze who can either press a lever or not press a lever.
Author:  Linux_User [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
You could take Politics at AS level, that's a very easy way to get initiated in how the whole thing works.

Other than that, check out sites like www.politics.co.uk, and the BBC politics section. You could also try a broadsheet newspaper.

Broadly speaking the newspapers are aligned something like this:

The Times - Centre-right, has supported both the Tories and New Labour.
The Telegraph - Right-wing, consistently supports the Conservatives.
Financial Times - Centre-right/libertarian.
The Guardian - Centre-left, generally supports Labour, but supported Lib Dems for the 2010 GE.
The Independent -Centre-left, very heavy on environmental issues.
The Sun/NOTW -Right-wing, supports whoever Murdoch likes this week.
The Mirror - Centre-left, supports Labour.
Author:  cloaked_wolf [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
The entire left/right/centre thing confuses me too. Anyone care to explain?
Author:  paulzolo [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Politics for idiots.
The terms "left" and "right" come from French parliament where supporters of the king sat on the right side and this for a republic sat on the left.

Left has come to mean those supposedly representing the working people, and right has come to mean those supporting the nobility and the sovereign.

The further left or right you go, the more extreme you find things.
Author:  rustybucket [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
paulzolo wrote:
The terms "left" and "right" come from French parliament where supporters of the king sat on the right side and this for a republic sat on the left.

Left has come to mean those supposedly representing the working people, and right has come to mean those supporting the nobility and the sovereign.

The further left or right you go, the more extreme you find things.

And if you go far enough you can't tell the difference.

The left/right thing tends to be a spectrum something like:

Left - Increased Regulation, Increased Taxation, State Control of Universal Services, Increased benefits, NHS, Comprehensive Education
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Centre - Maintenance/Updates of Regs & Taxes, Limiting/grading of mainly Universal Services, Public/private partnerships (e.g. NHS, Local Government)
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Right - Decreased Regulation, Decreased Taxation, Market Economy control of Targeted services, Minimum benefits, Private health insurance, Tiered Education
Author:  leeds_manc [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
In the US, right wing is considered more prevalent among the traditionally poorer, more religous areas, an interesting difference.
Author:  lumbthelesser [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
leeds_manc wrote:
In the US, right wing is considered more prevalent among the traditionally poorer, more religous areas, an interesting difference.

One of the great ironies of American politics- the 'christian right' are most unchristian and most often wrong.
Author:  okenobi [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
lumbthelesser wrote:
most often wrong.


Hmmmm......

Politics is a complex subject. I'm not sure an idiots guide exists. Depending on how interested you are, I would start with reading some Plato. In fact, just swallow wiki on ancient Greece and roll forward from there. Marx explains the change from feudalism to capitalism very well. Read up on the French revolution.

Bascially, there's a ton more to politics than the [LIFTED] that goes on in London today. Read, learn, be fascinated by the small things.

As Proust said, "N'allez pas trop vite"
Author:  paulzolo [ Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Politics for idiots.
leeds_manc wrote:
In the US, right wing is considered more prevalent among the traditionally poorer, more religous areas, an interesting difference.


American politics is more right wing than European politics is.
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