The End of Politics begins as a fierce polemic against the steady growth of western states and their indebtedness. Its main contention, that the traditional philosophies of left and right (but mainly left) are moribund in the face of the current crisis, is argued forcefully, ably supported by a blunderbuss of insightful statistics and a Roundhead-like sense of political virtue. Yet Douglas Carswell is no wonk and those looking for a public policy guide of how to emerge from the mire should look elsewhere. Those looking for a far more interesting book should turn directly to part two and marvel as the MP for Clacton peers deep into the digital revolution and prophesies the imminent libertarian utopia, ‘iDemocracy’.
It is refreshing to read a politician thoroughly cast off careerist calculation and stand able to place their arguments in a wider historical sweep than a media comms grid. I can think of no other politician who is more dedicated to understanding how the internet is transforming our society – ‘Michael Green’ included. For this reason alone, the book deserves to be read.
Furthermore, as befits a thinker whose political philosophy defies placement on a conventional left-right spectrum, there is much here that the left can welcome, particularly in the discussion of how the internet can reinvigorate democratic engagement. Indeed, at times, such as with the idea of personalised public service commissioning through an ‘iState’, there are even shades of radical left libertarian political philosophies, such as those of Hillel Steiner. But, like all libertarians, Carswell fails to appreciate that the market is just as capable as the state of exerting oppressive power and restricting positive freedom. After all, as RH Tawney observed, ‘freedom for the pike can be death for the minnow’.
This may explain why the book lacks analysis of how the revolution interacts with the market. Carswell is not the first to present technological change as a force of uncontaminated benevolence. But a healthy dose of Tory scepticism – such as a discussion of how the internet concentrates market power in fewer hands – would have added an extra dimension. The high street sometimes has three shops offering similar services, but there is only one Amazon.
Such a discussion would have been fascinating because earlier this year the high priest of Tory paternalism, Ferdinand Mount, released The New Few, a book strikingly similar in analysis, but utterly different in its conclusions. Quietly, a battle for the soul of the Conservative party rages and Carswell is on the intellectual frontline.
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Tristram Hunt is MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central
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The End of Politics
Douglas Carswell
Biteback Publishing | 256pp | £12.99
A very interesting review.
“…left and right (but mainly left) are moribund in the face of the current crisis”
That’s true when we act alone but when we are angry enough to reject their brands we exert pressure, so all is not lost.
“…lacks analysis of how the revolution interacts with the market”
I would hope that the more we work together, the more pressure we will exert the on the supply side.
As borders disappear, world-wide groups with shared values will exchange information about suppliers and will demand moral behaviour from them. That can only happen if information is not controlled by the few. Control of the internet is at the heart of it. If we ever have to pay for it then control is lost.
“Only one Amazon” suggests that you think that there is no alternative. Ah, but there is and a quick search will find, often, cheaper alternatives even when postage has to be paid!