London 2011 - A New Bakhtinian Era?

Why is Britain great? This is a question I posed online to a group of friends. I had only a couple of responses, including a reminder of the wonderful democratic stance Britain took in that period when Europe had four dictators in Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia. Most people would agree, a Nazi or Stalin future wouldn't have been a Utopia, and Britain, as far as I'm aware, were admirable in this era.


But what about now? What about in the 21st century, in the 'globalised' world? If we think of war, what is admirable about Britain now? What has happened to the UK since the 1980's? What about Afghanistan and Iraq? What about Israel? It seems Britain has a selective approach to tyranny, terrorism, and violence.


Why is it that it is acceptable to spend millions (or is it billions?) on terrorising, extinguishing innocent civilians for goodness knows what political and economic gain, then to increasingly privatise education and health, for the sake of 'economy'. More locally, why is is morally just for a policeman on the streets of London to hit a student over the head causing bleeding on the brain and near death, dragging a disabled man out of a wheelchair, and kettling people in in freezing conditions while a so-called "democratic" government sits comfortably in their offices wiping out the non-monetary value of one thing this country still (just about) has - education. But don't dare tell Charles to sort his government out as he glides along in his (tax payer's) expensive car to watch a royal concert as the country's values fall apart. Don't dare show your anger.

Industry has already died here. Let's now take away jobs, access to benefits, freeze salaries, cut salaries, make prices higher, make food impossibly expensive for some, devalue humanities, because aren't business and money the most important things? In fact, those who wish to learn in an institution at all should pay £9000 per year to do so. But the government will give huge loans, so not to worry. Money is there for that.

British citizens are lucky in many ways, I know, especially if you consider easy travel opportunities, the EU passport, and the fact that we are, after all, a 'developed country'. But if you look at other EU countries, the standard and cost of their education, the access to good health and dental care, the enjoyment for eating, walking, simple pleasures, the affordable cost of transport, and efficient transport at that, it makes you wonder why Britain is so incompetent at organising (expensive) service, so warped...


Britain seems to be in the process of a significant shift. It is important not to lose sight of human relations in all this mess. This blog will hopefully offer various stories of humanity: funny, soul-warming and poetic, as well as anger and rebellion.


For now, I'd like to offer an illuminating article in the Guardian today. The headline reads:

Student protests: Police ask colleges for demonstration details

As students gear up for new wave of protests and occupations, Scotland Yard asks London universities to pass on information.

In Doublespeak translation: 'We'll cut your funding, your jobs, your departments, but do us a favour, inform us of anyone who might stand up against that.'  They could make a pantomime out of this. Bakhtin, lend us your words...