Chapter 2, The Westminster Cartel
Page 63 et al - the Establishment is presented by Owen Jones as an ideology, but no proof is offered. It is probable that there are ideologues (of all persuasions) within the Establishment, but the truth is much less sinister although still problematic. The Establishment is a large informal network of individuals who hold power and influence and intend to remain in power and influence helping each other out, giving opportunities for the progeny of people they know, recruiting into their ranks those who who cannot be silenced by any other means. There is no over-arching conspiracy. There is just the same old corrupt behaviour that asserts itself in every society, including those of the former Eastern Bloc, when scrutiny is inadequate. The difference is that the British Establishment for historical reasons has acquired a patina of respectability.
Page 81 - discussing Len McCluskey "A proud Scouser, rarely clean-shaven and with an imposing frame, his tub-thumping speeches at political rallies often draw a rapturous reception from true believers". proud Scouser... imposing frame... tub-thumping... rapturous reception... true believers - did an Oxford alumni really write this cliche-ridden sentence? The failure of the publisher to amend this line demonstrates the cultural cringe our society has towards The Establishment's Oxbridge graduates when they are no more elite or skilled than the rest of us.
Chapter 3, Mediaocracy
Page 89 - referring to the 1992 general election "...an earlier speech made by the Tory Home Secretary, Kenneth Baker, alleging Labour plans for an 'open door' immigration policy". Even as far back as 1992 the Labour plans for unrestricted immigration were known. It rather makes their subsequent apologies for immigration seem cynical and false - we must never let these people back in.
Page 90 - Angela Eagle MP (and Shadow Cabinet minister) "It's a media that's ideologically driven by its owners who have particular views that you or I probably wouldn't agree on an awful lot of the time". This claim that the media is ideologically driven is silly. The Morning Star is ideologically driven but hardly anyone buys it. If the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph were ideologically driven then how does Owen Jones account for their popularity compared to the Guardian or the Daily Mirror? Newspapers exist to make money. If people didn't want them they wouldn't buy them and the Daily Mail would end up with the same circulation as The Independent.
To be continued.
http://afroml.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/the-establishment-by-owen-jones.html
http://afroml.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/the-establishment-by-owen-jones-2.html
Page 63 et al - the Establishment is presented by Owen Jones as an ideology, but no proof is offered. It is probable that there are ideologues (of all persuasions) within the Establishment, but the truth is much less sinister although still problematic. The Establishment is a large informal network of individuals who hold power and influence and intend to remain in power and influence helping each other out, giving opportunities for the progeny of people they know, recruiting into their ranks those who who cannot be silenced by any other means. There is no over-arching conspiracy. There is just the same old corrupt behaviour that asserts itself in every society, including those of the former Eastern Bloc, when scrutiny is inadequate. The difference is that the British Establishment for historical reasons has acquired a patina of respectability.
Page 81 - discussing Len McCluskey "A proud Scouser, rarely clean-shaven and with an imposing frame, his tub-thumping speeches at political rallies often draw a rapturous reception from true believers". proud Scouser... imposing frame... tub-thumping... rapturous reception... true believers - did an Oxford alumni really write this cliche-ridden sentence? The failure of the publisher to amend this line demonstrates the cultural cringe our society has towards The Establishment's Oxbridge graduates when they are no more elite or skilled than the rest of us.
Chapter 3, Mediaocracy
Page 89 - referring to the 1992 general election "...an earlier speech made by the Tory Home Secretary, Kenneth Baker, alleging Labour plans for an 'open door' immigration policy". Even as far back as 1992 the Labour plans for unrestricted immigration were known. It rather makes their subsequent apologies for immigration seem cynical and false - we must never let these people back in.
Page 90 - Angela Eagle MP (and Shadow Cabinet minister) "It's a media that's ideologically driven by its owners who have particular views that you or I probably wouldn't agree on an awful lot of the time". This claim that the media is ideologically driven is silly. The Morning Star is ideologically driven but hardly anyone buys it. If the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph were ideologically driven then how does Owen Jones account for their popularity compared to the Guardian or the Daily Mirror? Newspapers exist to make money. If people didn't want them they wouldn't buy them and the Daily Mail would end up with the same circulation as The Independent.
To be continued.
http://afroml.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/the-establishment-by-owen-jones.html
http://afroml.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/the-establishment-by-owen-jones-2.html
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