The Tory leadership crisis and one dimensional society
In the late 1960s Herbert Marcuse a member of the Frankfurt School of critical theorists, wrote a widely read book, One Dimensional Man. The core of his point was that late capitalist society allowed no space for opposition or alternatives. I didn’t and still don’t agree with that. Empirical evidence of revolt suggests Marcuse was wrong.
But then I look at the current Tory leadership contest. It has wall to wall media coverage of a contest that amounts to choosing one right wing candidate over another. There are TV debates and commentary. Yet the actual decision is not made by the electorate but by at best a few hundred thousand Tory members.
The winner will become Prime Minister without the need for a General Election. As Guardianista Tom Davies pointed out on twitter only once in the last 25 years has the PM been chosen by voters-in 2010.
One dimensional democracy? Aside from Keir Starmer’s calls for a General Election, revolt from below can change things, and strikes and discontent are growing.
Have I missed something, or misunderstood. Surely Johnson was chosen in 2019 by the voters. And I’m not sure Cameron was exactly chosen, as I remember them scrabbling around for votes. The libdems being the deciding factor.
Johnson was chosen by Tory members first as was May
Oh, yes, I see what you mean. On a change/resignation. Tx