iGURU!’s – Weekly Review – 1st September 2019
I just happen to live in the United Kingdom and one cannot be here at this point in time, without being aware of the momentous changes that are taking place in ‘civil society.’
Of course the ‘Brexit dilemma’ dominates the minds of those who are aware of the momentous changes that are currently taking place. But the Brexit debate / ‘dilemma’ is not the sole nor even the root cause of the trauma that the inhabitants in the United Kingdom are currently experiencing. These are more deeply rooted and have ranged in time for over a generation or so. Seen in this light, one can view the changes we are experiencing in ‘civil society’ as part of a greater ‘change’ – and some would even say, ‘upheaval’ – western society in general is currently experiencing.
In the UK this week – Prime Minster Boris Johnson has announced the proroguing of Parliament (essentially the suspension of Parliament) – which has been approved by the Queen – (read more here.) It seems that the MP’s, journalists, political commentators – and indeed others concerned about civil rights in society, are surprised. Some are even saying that this action by the Prime Minster marks the end of Democracy in the UK – referring to his actions as that of a ‘Dictator’ and that a coup has occurred in the United Kingdom (to read more – click here) However, your average man and woman on the street would have been able to tell you that a long time ago.
In the United Kingdom – inequality and injustice exists at large – and has over the last 20 years or more increased quite significantly. Social report after social report bears this out.
This societal change, which has occurred, has been and is currently experienced daily by members of the UK public. The breakdown over Brexit is a ‘symptom’ of that malaise and not – its cause.
This ‘societal malaise’ is so far reaching and so ‘corrosive’ to society and its values – that it is not just the United Kingdom that is affected by this, but any reasonable and impartial observer, would easily see that this is something current throughout western society. It is indeed a ‘global societal malaise,’ whose individual expression may vary from nation to nation – but it is rooted in the experiences of ordinary people. For example, even the Hong Kong protests have this aspect to them, namely this breakdown in ‘civil society’ – caused by great and rapid social change – resulting in massive inequality and social deprivation and increased poverty. A careful reading of its causes would show that social inequality namely lack of housing, growing inequality of wealth are some of the factors in the protests – (to access iGURU!’s – About The Hong Kong Protests Index – click here.)
Back to the United Kingdom – one of the articles I read which caused me to consider this subject in the first place – was the article – ‘A civil war mind now threatens our Democracy’ – well… – the Democracy of the people has been ‘threatened’ for a very long time – but only now, the ‘threat’ is being felt and experienced by some of the ‘political elite’ who have suddenly realised that the time honoured and cherished constitutional provisions they have claimed existed in the UK, do not in fact exist and can be ‘played with’ and ‘manipulated’ – by a sufficiently astute ‘politician’ or ‘power broker’ e.g. political advisors such as – Dominic Cummings.
It is becoming quite evident, that the political leaders are not representing the voice and wishes of the people.
It would appear – that the people are not being properly represented and provided for which we see in examples such as the Brexit fiasco in the United Kingdom.
This appears to be a theme in the Western world – I also came across an article highlighting current civil right issues and abuses in the U.S. – between the U.S. government and American citizens – the article is called ‘American Apocalypse.’
The article highlights the erosion of civil rights and civil institutions in America. For example, the article highlights that expressing an opinion contrary to the governments’, could expose an American citizen to being regarded as a domestic ‘threat’ / ‘enemy.’
What I am basically saying is – that the things we are seeing in the UK with Parliament and the apparent lack of democracy – we are also witnessing in America. In America they have a written constitution – but it seems that just like Boris Johnson is proroguing Parliament (suspending Parliament) – the president and the executive branch – the government in the U.S., is similarly attacking individual civil rights.
What we are witnessing is a malaise in ‘civil society’ – all of us are responsible for this because if we as the people do not protest when our rights are being eroded all it takes is for an unscrupulous individual to exploit the situation we have allowed to happen. It should be remembered that also this is not a party political issue because when things like this happen we all tend to unite – (this is happening in the UK) – but by then it may be too late.
It seems that the ‘chickens have now come home to roost’ – perhaps now we can pierce the veil of illusion – as it has now become clear – that the real issues which have plagued western society for decades – namely, poverty, homelessness, inadequate education provision – insufficient health provision – blatant injustice (through lack of access to the courts) – increasing income inequality – are all contributors to this ‘societal malaise.’ The sad thing is – that the policies that have caused these effects, lack the ‘vision’ needed to propel Humanity to its next step.
REFERENCES TO ARTICLES, VIDEOS ETC
To view the contents of this index – click on the subject of interest below.
ALPHABETICAL ORDER
H
Hong Kong
– iGURU!’s – About The Hong Kong Protests Index
U
UK
– Dominic Cummings: master of the dark arts handed keys to No 10 (26-Jul2019)
UK – Proroguing Parliament
– A civil war mind now threatens our Democracy (28-Aug2019)
– PM’s plan to prorogue parliament is longest suspension since 1945 (28-Aug2019)
US
– American Apocalypse (26-Aug2019)
iGURU! 