Fascism, fundamentalism, and the left
Originally published in issue 11 of Shift Magazine (Jan 11 – May 11) Since the May General Election, we have been witnessing the slow demise of British fascism as we know it. The British National Party’s spectacular failure tore open divisions and animosities that had been long brewing below the surface. Resignations, sackings, splits, and … Read more
The argument against multiculturalism
On my other blog, I often write in defence of migrants against the repression of the state. Because of this, and my opposition to border controls, my opponents on the right often presume that I am in favour of multiculturalism and mass immigration. This is not the case. I have already explained, in The case … Read more
Against religion?
Emma Goldman, writing Anarchism: what it really stands for, pointed out that there were three main strands of hierarchy that anarchists opposed. “Religion, the dominion of the human mind; Property, the dominion of human needs; and Government, the dominion of human conduct, represent the stronghold of man’s enslavement and all the horrors it entails.” In … Read more
Dissecting political and militant Islam
According to the fevered rantings of Islamist fanatics and far-right demagogues alike, the West faces the grave threat of “Islamisation.” This seemingly made-up word means, essentially, the conversion of any given society over to an Islamic one based upon Shariah law. Melanie Philips, a far-right religious fundamentalist who writes for the Daily Mail, explains the … Read more
The question of Islam
Since 9/11, Islam – specifically militant and political Islam – has been the focus of an an extraordinary degree of attention and scrutiny, for reasons that should not need elaborating upon. Within the narrow “mainstream” of the political spectrum, there are two set positions on the issue. The conservative or hawkish position holds that Islamic … Read more
