Monday, May 22, 2006
Missing the point
David Cameron - its no secret I haven't fallen head over heels for the guy - and have always been something of a skeptic (I didn't vote for him). Part of the reason is because of small incidents like this, which although are probably insignificant, do tend to grate when they pile up.
This must surely represent a change in traditional conservative ideas that even DC acknowledges, as the BBC then feels the need to add:
A child of the Right, this is exactly what struck me when I first saw the headline: What right does David Cameron have to try and make people happy? Even if we conceed this point for arguments sake, other questions arise - what does happiness involve, and what can government practically do to achieve it?
So what makes people happy? The obvious conclusion is... it depends on the person. Everyone responds differently. It is not legislation, nor "advocacy" from government, as Cameron puts it, that will make people happy. They must do this themselves, as only they can. Freedom to achieve and pursue ones own goals is what happiness surely involves.
But government can do two things to greatly aid people in their efforts: First, is to encourage and help produce a social and cultural environment where people can be free from fear and molestation to make themselves happy - law and order, respect for others and for life, etc. Second, after this, is for government to stand back and.. leave well alone. Lower taxes, lower regulation and reduction of the great tentacles of the state enhance peoples ability to do their own thing - make and spend their own money, run their own businesses, and run their own lives. I'm not aware New Labour style nannying ever made someone happy.
You won't be surprised this is what conservatism is meant to be about anyway. Perhaps Cameron has forgotten, because as far as I know, neither of these two things have been touched on by his flying circus of spin yet.
Prominent American writer Charles Murray had this to say in one of his books, summing up the argument better than I ever could:
David Cameron may wish to separate himself from the "anti-government right", whatever that is meant to mean, but lets hear him argue against what Murray correctly indentifies as the way toward happiness. The simple truth is, people would likely be much happier if... politicians stopped telling us what we need to get there?
Tory leader David Cameron says there is more to life than making money, arguing that improving people's happiness is a key challenge for politicians.
In a speech to the Google Zeitgeist Europe conference, he said the focus should not just be on financial wealth.
Under a Tory government, the public sector will become "the world leader in progressive employment practice".
This must surely represent a change in traditional conservative ideas that even DC acknowledges, as the BBC then feels the need to add:
But he conceded that some on the right will believe people's well-being is nothing to do with politics.
A child of the Right, this is exactly what struck me when I first saw the headline: What right does David Cameron have to try and make people happy? Even if we conceed this point for arguments sake, other questions arise - what does happiness involve, and what can government practically do to achieve it?
So what makes people happy? The obvious conclusion is... it depends on the person. Everyone responds differently. It is not legislation, nor "advocacy" from government, as Cameron puts it, that will make people happy. They must do this themselves, as only they can. Freedom to achieve and pursue ones own goals is what happiness surely involves.
But government can do two things to greatly aid people in their efforts: First, is to encourage and help produce a social and cultural environment where people can be free from fear and molestation to make themselves happy - law and order, respect for others and for life, etc. Second, after this, is for government to stand back and.. leave well alone. Lower taxes, lower regulation and reduction of the great tentacles of the state enhance peoples ability to do their own thing - make and spend their own money, run their own businesses, and run their own lives. I'm not aware New Labour style nannying ever made someone happy.
You won't be surprised this is what conservatism is meant to be about anyway. Perhaps Cameron has forgotten, because as far as I know, neither of these two things have been touched on by his flying circus of spin yet.
Prominent American writer Charles Murray had this to say in one of his books, summing up the argument better than I ever could:
Why seek limited government? Not just because freedom is our birthright, but because limited government leaves people with the freedom and responsibility they need to mold satisfying lives both as individuals and as members of families and communities..... limited government enables people to pursue happiness
David Cameron may wish to separate himself from the "anti-government right", whatever that is meant to mean, but lets hear him argue against what Murray correctly indentifies as the way toward happiness. The simple truth is, people would likely be much happier if... politicians stopped telling us what we need to get there?
# posted by Chris Hughes @ 12:05 pm 
Comments:
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I would have thought that David Cameron helping to get rid of Tony Blair would make a lot of people happy.
I'm sorry chris but do you honestly believe that without david cameron we would be where we are today?? it was never going 2 be solely policies that would win us the next election; we needed a total image change, which Cameron has brought. We should all be very grateful - he is out day after day getting positive publicity for the Torys, just yesterday he was at the beckham's world cup party!! The tory party leader at a party with A-list celebrities!!! It is this kind of publicity which, unfortunately, is how to gain the support of vast numbers of voters. Blair knows this - he invited celebrities such as liam gallagher to number 10!!
Cameron WILL lead us to victory at the next election.
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Cameron WILL lead us to victory at the next election.
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