*********************
Many thought systems have either communitarian or individualistic
foundations. Interestingly, more individualistic thought systems,
such as existentialism and modernism, originated after communities
deserted rural towns and moved into the city. Liberal values – and
liberalism is ultimately predicated on the primacy of the individual
– became more influential after the population of cities increased
(Cox 2013).
Why are towns more communal? They have smaller populations, which
foster social cohesion, shared values and a shared culture. Families
often stay in the same town for thousands of years, meaning that
traditions are conserved and they are passed on from generation to
generation. Towns have community centres, churches, libraries and
local councils. Blue Labour is a think-tank within the Labour Party
which advocates these beliefs and it argues that the Labour Party
lost its way when it preoccupied itself with abstract ideas such as
equality (Bew 2016). It criticises Blair for embracing globalisation,
since in its view it has decimated British manufacturing, depressed
working-class town and, as such, destroyed local communities
(Derbyshire 2011). It is also sceptical of the welfare state
implemented by Clement Attlee from 1945-51 because it claims that it
created a large bureaucracy which intruded into the private lives of
families and that it created a culture of dependency (Score 2011). It
also distrusts Gordon Brown’s world-view, as he embraced both the
state and the market (Derbyshire).
This is an example of contemporary communitarian thinking.
Globalisation has come under scrutiny recently for undermining such
communities and some people have argued that their resentment has
facilitated the rise of demagogues like Donald Trump. The city,
meanwhile, has benefited from globalisation and could be seen as a
reservoir of liberalism. Cities are often atomised, meaning that they
are comprised of millions of individuals who pursue their own
interests and they do not come into contact with one another.
Examples of thought systems that emerged from this atomisation
include existentialism and modernism. Existentialism argued that
individuals should forge their own moral values and make their own
choices in a world where prescriptive thought systems such as
Christianity have been shattered (Burnham 2011). The Trial is
a modernist novel by Franz Kafka and its protagonist Joseph K. lives
an isolated existence in a vast city, where he works as a clerk. He
has no belief system and he is constantly hounded by a vast and
complex bureaucracy that does not specify why he is being persecuted.
Modernist literature often portrayed this atomisation that the city
created and it contravenes the communitarian principles of Blue
Labour. The bureaucracy of the state permeates the world of Kafka
whilst the market alienates its protagonist and does not imbue him
with common values or culture.
Works Cited
Bew, John. (2016) Citizen
Clem. Quercus: London.
Burnham, Douglas. (1995)
Existentialism. [Online] Available from:
http://www.iep.utm.edu/existent/
Cox, Wendell. (2013) Observations
on Urbanisation: 1920-2010. [Online.] Avaliable from:
http://www.newgeography.com/content/003675-observations-urbanization-1920-2010
Derbyshire, Jonathan. (2011) Voice
of the Heartlands. [Online] Available from:
https://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics/2011/04/labour-glasman-work-tradition
Kuiper, Kathyrn. (2009) Modernism.
[Online] Available from https://www.britannica.com/art/Modernism-art
Score, Steve. (2011) Review: Blue
Labour. [Online] Available from:
http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/664/11577/30-03-2011/review-blue-labour
No comments:
Post a Comment