Category Archives: Politics

Venezuela’s Exodus

February 21, 2018 Paddy Vipond 4 Comments

The northern Brazilian city of Boa Vista must have the cleanest car windscreens in the entire country. This is because on almost every street corner, at every junction, and around every roundabout, there is a Venezuelan, or four, offering their services. Their partners and children sheltering from the sun in some nearby shade.

Whether they were teachers, builders, doctors, carpenters, chefs, farmers, bankers, or shop assistants previously, they are now self-employed car washers and roadside salespeople. Cardboard signs serve the dual purpose of promoting their work and potential, whilst also providing some cover from the intense heat which accompanies their daily 12-hour shifts.

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China, Imperialism, Politics, Tibet

The View From The Roof Of The World: Observations From Five Days In Chinese Occupied Tibet

March 17, 2017 Paddy Vipond Leave a comment

In February 2017, I had the privilege of being able to visit Lhasa, the capital of Tibet – or the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, as the Chinese have called it.

At an altitude of approximately 3,500 metres, it is one of the highest cities in the world, and takes some getting used to upon arrival. At it’s summit, the imposing, but elegant Potala Palace, which is situated in the centre of the city, stands over 4km above sea level, and is one of the highest points that I have ever been on foot. The monasteries and temples dotted among the hills that surround the city give the opportunity to go even higher.

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Democracy, Politics, Society

Evolve or Die: Which Political Ideology Can Bring Us The Future?

November 27, 2016 Paddy Vipond 1 Comment

Karl Marx believed that capitalism contained the seeds of its own destruction, and whilst we are yet to see whether this is true or not, it is clear that our rigid political ideologies are certainly the cause of their own downfall.

Despite its best efforts, Communism was unable to stem the rising tide of wealth, innovation, and change. Through its State-driven process, and its endless five-year plans, it attempted to plot a path with no clue as to what may be around the next corner. Capitalism survived, and thrived, because of its ability to adapt.

Charles Darwin recognised this phenomenon biologically in the natural world with animals having to adapt (evolve) in order to maintain their existence on the planet. (Note that these adaptations were random and were not driven by the animals themselves).

Politically, we must learn this biological lesson. If you stay still, you fall behind, and eventually cease to exist.

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Europe, Politics, Protest

Paul Mason Is Wrong To Oppose The Brexiteers Demonstration

November 10, 2016 Paddy Vipond 1 Comment

This is a guest post in response to Paul Mason’s recent article in The Guardian: “Bond traders, Trots, and mumsnetters must unite against Farage’s mob”

I was a huge admirer of Paul Mason for his decision to go to Channel 4 in order to escape the confines of the BBC that had stymied his ability to report economics accurately. Last year, I heard him speak in Athens on the state of the economy. It was something of a Marxian argument – technologies have developed to such a degree that we don’t need to work like in the days of old and can be liberated from the fetters of inefficient drudgery.

My admiration was in large part hopeful – “if he continues his line of reasoning, perhaps he will come up with something interesting”. But on the basis of his latest piece on Brexit, which was published in The Guardian (see link above), this hasn’t happened.

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