History and Politics Society - May Edition

History&PoliticsKCS WimbledonMay 2017Snap Election Special Student Magazine1 History And Politics Magazine

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Contents: History&Politics P4 P22Election 2017: A Liberal The Dark Side ofDemocrat perspective Winston Churchill P6 P24Identity Politics: Should Why Le Pen beingthe woman win the elected could havewomen’s vote? benefitted us P8 P26Election 2017: A Con- The Russian Revolution -servative perspective The Centenary P10 P28The Lure of Nationalism Election 2017: A Greenin 2017 party perspective P14 P32Is it ever right to remove Election 2017: A UKIPstatues? perspective P18 P34How ‘bad’ was Bad King Election 2017: A LabourJohn? perspective P20Tump and Waves ofAuthoritarianism The History and Politics Society meets every Thursday from 1.30 to 2..10 in Q21.3 History And Politics Magazine

By Fergus KirmanA Liberal Democrat PerspectiveThe 2010 election left the country in a strange position. In the wake of the2008 financial crash, Labour’s popularity plummeted, and the Conservatives,led by the beloved David Cameron, looked set to sweep to power. In thegeneral election campaign however, thanks to Nick Clegg’s strong TV de-bate performance, ‘Cleggmania’ swept the country, with theLib Dems often polling higher than the incumbent Labour par-ty. Ultimately, the Lib Dems underperformed, capturing o n l y23% of the vote (compared to the Tories’ 36.1% and L a -bour’s 29%). The Tories failed to achieve a major-ity in parliament though, winning 306 seats, com- ing20 short. The Lib Dems joined the Conservativesin government, placing the nation’s interestsand wishes above their own, and formingthe first coalition in Britain since the Second World War.As the junior coalition partner, the Lib Dems were forced into humiliating U-turnson election promises, and found the Tories only too happy to let them absorbattacks and criticism. Indeed, much of Labour’s time in the 2010-15 Parliamentwas spent scoring easy wins against the “treacherous” Liberal Democrats, ratherthan paying attention to the Conservatives. The Lib Dems helped push throughsome reforms, like same-sex marriage and free school meals, but plans for mean-ingful, long-term constitutional reform, such as electing the House of Lords orusing a democratic voting system, failed. Nor did the Lib Dems predict just howruthlessly both Labour and the Conservatives would attack them instead ofone another at the 2015 general election, and they collapsed in an electionwipe out, with vote share falling from 23% to 7.9% and the loss of 49 of 57 seats. Since the EU referendum last June, however, the Lib Dems have begun to stir 4 into life, as the party leadership sensed an opportunity to make itself relevant, given Labour’s prolonged rigor mortis in the form of Jeremy Corbyn. As the only party avowedly opposed to Brexit, the Lib Dems won Zac Goldsmith’s narcissis- tic by-election in Richmond Park late last year, sparking hopes of an anti-Brexit powered resurgence. “Britain’s place in Europe” is at the forefront of the LiberalHistory And Politics Magazine

Democrat manifesto, with the promise of a referendum on the deal the govern-ment brings back from negotiations. Given that Theresa May has said she wouldrather cause an economic earthquake and destroy Britain/EU relations for yearsto come than leave with what the Tory Right considers a “bad deal”, this policyfinds quite some traction among voters concerned about their financial security.Of course, such promises make it hard for the Lib Dems to shake the stigma of“bremoaning”, but right wing tabloid vitriol moves on to bigger targets eventually.It isn’t, despite what any faithful Lib Dem candidate would tell you, all aboutBrexit though. The NHS and social care crisis is at the forefront of voters’ minds,and the Lib Dems have suggested a 1% rise in income tax to revive the ourhealthcare system, as well as presented a fully costed plan on how to rebuildour public services. Although it is hardly a mainstream concern, the Tory mani-festo included a promise to become “the global leader in regulation of use ofthe internet,” a threatening prospect for China, fearful of being knocked from thetop spot. The Lib Dems remain opposed as ever to state intervention in the pri-vate lives of individuals, and believe firmly in freedomof speech, online or not. Coupled with other moreorthodox liberal ideas, such as legalising marijuana,the Lib Dem policy platform seems like a realistic po-sition closer to Labour than the Tories, who have de-cided to re-enact the Thatcher years by poaching theworking-class vote in the face of ineffective opposition.While there may not be much validityto the ar- gument that voting LibDem will stop a Tory land-slide, it is just aboutthe only tool left inthe box. Tim Farron is awell-meaning yet hardly PrimeMinisterial leader, beleaguered by the incompatibility of his evangelical Christianviews with a Liberal position. Any Lib Dem recovery is unlikely to manifest itself as again in seats, thanks to the movement of the UKIP vote to the Tories in Lib Dem-Torymarginals, and the still open wounds of the coalition years. But even if it’s only acouple of percent, or a few seats either way, for the Lib Dems, the only way is up.5 History And Politics Magazine

By Alice PalmerPrime Ministerial candidate TheresaMay is attempting to win over the female half of the UK populationby flying the feminist flag. Howev- er, if an image is worth a thousand words,her actions speak even louder. May’s voting history serves to prove this artisticphotography rather untrue: it is neither feminist, nor black and white.From 2008 to 2017, May failed to vote on half of the proposed amendmentsmade on abortion laws such as its decriminalization up to 24 weeks, its pro-hibition on grounds of gender selection, as well its prohibition by private pro-viders. Labour Party candidate Jeremy Corbyn voted in favour of all of thesepropositions. In addition May voted in favour of all reductions on the legal limitfor abortion, while Corbyn voted against them. May appears to be againstwomen taking back control over their bodies and actively opposes givingpregnant women a choice. What is most illuminating, however, is the way inwhich she refrained from voting at all in several instances - Farron and Corbynseem to have stronger and indeed more feminist opinions than the only femalecandidate in the election.On a 2014 bill for equal pay transparency both Farron and Corbyn voted in favour of it, while May refrained, once again, from voting at all. The gender pay gap is the most tangible and concrete form of gender inequality present on a global basis today. None of the 196 countries around the world pay men and women equally. There is major controversy over its existence, the main argument against it be- ing that women are merely left behind men in their career paths due to childbearing and maternity leave. We cannot expect wom- en to receive the same promotions and wages as their male counterparts if theyHistory And Politics Magazine 6

spend less time in the office - an argument that holds some merit and should certainly be considered. But the question of whether or not it exists does not detract from the fact that May did not promote making it a requirement for companies to publicly report wage differences between the genders. If com- panies are paying women who are doing the same job as men less money, May doesn’t think the public should know. But how will we move forward in the fight for equality if we are denied access to the facts? More importantly, why are women like May not taking a stand? As the feminist movement grows, so does stigma around its name and what it represents. I do therefore want to sympathise with May in some ways, because it could be possible that she is afraid of being seen as a woman before she is seen as a politician if she takes too many stands. However, when examining her voting history, this clearly does not ring true. She is not afraid of wearing the “f word” on her T-shirt and disseminating it around the internet, but she does not vote in the way that said T-shirt might suggest she would. So far this year, she has failed to vote in favour of combatting and preventing both violence against women and domestic violence at the Istanbul conference, which Corbyn voted in favour of. The UN has described the Istanbul Convention as the “gold standard” for tackling violence against women, and the NGO Hu- man Rights Watch has called it “groundbreaking”. In denying her support, May shows how she represents the opposite of the feminist “golden standard”. It is perplexing how indifferent May appears in regards to such important and widespread issues for her gender, which does incidentally represent 50% of her electorate, whilst proclaiming herself a feminist. It becomes impossible for one such as myself to support her solely on the grounds that she happens to be fe- male. In politics, a picture may say a thousand words, but a voting record says many more: she would not vote to protect women threatened by violence in their own home, nor does she want to get to the bottom of the gender pay gap. Corbyn supports both and he didn’t even get the T-shirt.7 History And Politics Magazine

By André BouzidA Conservative PerspectiveThe announcement of this general enough room for the PM to negotiateelection caused quite a stir, due to in and most of all, the bureaucrats inthe short space of time that parties Brussels will seize upon the opportu-would be able to campaign but also nity to make May back down. Finally,because people question Theresa it gives Mrs. May five whole years toMay’s motives in calling one. Allow me negotiate the right deal for Britain.to outline the three main reasons for Otherwise, she would be in a ratherher doing this: firstly, for many months precarious position in 2019, as thenow, the Left have been exclaiming 2020 General Election would start tohow an ‘unelected’ Prime Minister be the focus, as opposed to thesewould be going for a so-called ‘hard upcoming negotiations.Brexit’. This election will very much giveMay the mandate, that she already Theresa May has stated that she be-has, that has been required by the lieves in a deal that works for every-Left. Secondly, this election gives May one, not just the privileged few. Thisthe opportunity to operate with ease entails having maximum access to thewhen negotiating; we saw recently single market so that British manufac-that when pushing through the Article turing and the financial services indus-50 bill, at times the Prime Minister had try can continue to operate within theto fight for every single market, ending free movementvote within her of people which affects the workingown party. Cur- classes the most as well having work-rently, 6 Conserv- ing to retain the favourable aspectsative MPs are of the EU, such as Erasmus for students.able to sway a Furthermore, this election is also vitalvote in Parliament because it allows the British people toin a way that is not choose the person who is most capa-in our favour- ble and determined of leading Brit- this is ain, and that is Theresa May. We must simply have strong and stable leadership so not that we can be sure that our leader will not back down when pressured byHistory And Politics Magazine 8

the EU; whereas the weak leadership well introducing grammar schools toof Jeremy Corbyn, supported by the improve social mobility, allowing thecoalition of chaos, would only lead to most capable to children from de-Britain getting the worst deal imagina- prived backgrounds to go further. Inble at the end of these negotiations. addition, despite the presentation of our social care plans as abandoningHowever, this election is not only older people, the actual policy statesabout the EU and Brexit- it is about that wealthy people should contributecontinuing the hard work that has the cost of their social care. The per-been done over the last 7 years by centage of people aged 65 years orthe Conservative under both David older is projected to grow to nearlyCameron and Theresa May in cre- a quarter of the population by 2045,ating a strong and resilient economy while at the same time those in thatthat is able to support public services. age bracket now make up one thirdMay we observe some of these ex- of all homeowners. Therefore how cantraordinary achievements: we think its fair to put the snowballing£79.9 billion is decrease in the size of cost of social care onto the youngthe deficit, from £154.8bn to £74.9bn generation who have been priced0.3 per cent is current rate of the in- out of buying their own home?crease of the cost of living, comparedwith 3.4 per cent in May 2010 In conclusion, this election is481,000 fewer working days were about two things: leadership and real-lost to strikes in the year to April 2016 ism. We must have a determined andcompared with the year to May 2010 uncompromising (I can’t say strong31.95 million is the number of people and stable) leader who will secure thecurrently in work, up 381,000 from just right deal for Britain in our exit from theone year before- this is the highest EU as well as someone who will makerate since 1971 when comparable difficult but necessary decisions in therecords began. national interest. This leads onto the As our manifesto has set out, we idea of realism; we need policies thatare being pragmatic in our approach will not burden future generations withto problems that we have: in order debt as Corbyn wants but to haveto create our ‘great meritocracy’, we true Conservatism that will deliver forare pumping £4 billion into schools to working families with sensible and sus-make sure no child feels left out after tainable policies.a shake up in education funding as9 History And Politics Magazine

The LurSeamioAlflanNloaokstaiot nalismOver the course of the past few from such a situation is a viable threat months, a new, yet stagger- but one yet to afflict the Western World. ingly popular, shift to patriot-ic ideologies has occurred across the However, this struggle of differing identi-globe. From Trump’s victory in America, ties and the defence of one’s own hasLe Pen’s new found popularity with the been playing out for centuries. A majorFN and of course the story that has one is that of the Israelis and Palestini-been dominating our headlines: Brexit. ans, for the past 80 years and may act as an example to the budding politi- cians, inspired by the lure of nationalism. The struggle between the two peoples has been raging since the middle of the past century, fluctuating in intensity over the years. However, the conflict’s fuel has always been from the insecu- rity of the Jewish people and the dis- position of the Palestinians. The mod- ern phenomenon of Zionism pathed the way to the creation of the stateThis large shift of public opinion has of Israel, accelerated and enabledpolarised countries and the world, and by the horrors of the Holocaust, andbegins to beg the question of the dan- a new identity for some of the Jewishgers of this newfound struggle between people as Israelis. This “religious na-Nationalists and Globalists, which is re- tionalism” which arguably converteddefining the way we view world politics. Judaism (a religion) into a statehoodPerhaps this is the end of Right versus (a race) began to threaten the ex-Left politics for the foreseeable future. istence of the Palestinian people. AOf course, the values and heritage struggle began to form as Israeli set-of a particular country are important tlers took land which they claimed toaspects to consider and define a na- be part of the newly found state of Is-tion’s identity, but are they worth it at rael away from those who had ownedthe expense of our democracy, toler- and lived on it for hundreds of years.ance and diversity. The risk of a conflict This religious nationalism, fuelled by theHistory And Politics Magazine 10

ABOVE: Palestinian and Israeli flags, waving outside the Damascus Gate, 21st February 2017 fear of the Jewish people, their perse- it their own. Yet the solution loved by cution and in reaction to European na- all and supported by the United Na- tionalism, has created one of the most tions is a nationalistic one, allowing two destabilising and complex conflicts, im- states to fulfil the aspirations of both pacting the world for decades to come. peoples, irrelevant of whether either can survive and be a real sustainable With nationalistic values deeply im- nation. A far better and more stable bedded into the beliefs of both sides, (but a much harder to obtain solution) an achievable solution would appear would be a single shared state where to be the two state solution: dividing Palestinians and Israelis alike live with the ground between each other and equal rights to the land and are able allowing each side to have a nation- to prosper together on one land. This ally recognised state, fulfilling the aspi- requires the two peoples to be glo- rations of both peoples. However, the balists, rather than nationalists. A char- Palestinians believe all the land should acter “Globalist” well deserved for both. be returned to them as they see them- Shifting thought to a new phenomenon selves as the rightful owners. However, is that of Jihadist Islam, sometimes re- the Israelis, who were stateless before ferred to as political Islam. Again, you the creation of Israel, believe they now can argue that this is a reactionary have right to live on this land and call act to years of western interference11 History And Politics Magazine

, oppression and politics of fear, man- of our democracy and way of life. Asifesting itself extremely in Jihadi Islam, the years move by, this common be-which is anonymous with “Islamic nation- lief may hold the answer to stoppingalism”. A reactionary force to oppres- this futile and destructive struggle, yetsion and perceived western and polit- at the same time is threatened to beical control and manipulation. Again, lost globally as obsession over self-su-this is a nationalistic reaction to fear. periority blocks the light towards a greater future as a world in its entirety.In conclusion, the qualities and val-ues of co-existence, tolerance anddiversity are ones that have been en-couraged by the Western World andare part of the founding principlesBELOW: Israeli border police order a Palestinian to lift his shirt at a checkpointas he exitsHistory And Politics Magazine 12

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Is it ever rigJahmtestHoazerlleloomksoatve statues?If a statue of Pol Pot were erected in been at the forefront of an important the centre of Phnom Penh as a sign of ethical, moral and historical debate respect for his key role in Cambodia’s over whether it right to remove a stat-history it would quite rightly cause a ue of someone who has committedpublic outcry. Surely many people from terrible crimes or expressed obnoxiousacross the world would join the pro- and offensive beliefs.test against the statue arguing that it The campaign named ‘Rhodes Mustis deeply offensive towards the families Fall’ argues that the very existence ofand friends of many millions of victims the deeply controversial statue is aof the Khmer Rouge regime and also mere manifestation of what is wrongclaiming that it suggests a tolerance in our society. Admittedly, there areand approval of the actions taken by many reasonable arguments cited byPol Pot when he was leader? Since ob- the campaign for why this statue andviously it would be in very poor taste indeed others likewise should be re-not to knock down the statue at once, moved. The first major argument is thatit would seem contradictory to not current racial discrepancies are root-also remove the statue of the infamous ed and founded in history. For example,white supremacist, Cecil Rhodes, who the argument is that many of the modernduring his six years as leader of the racial prejudices in the Southern statesCape Colony, presided over a brutal- are intrinsically a result of the glorifica-ly racist and murderous imperial system. tion of many historical figures that wereRhodes’ statue, which sits on a pedes- openly at the forefront of slave owning Confederate America. Such as one of the Ku Klux Klan’s most infamous leader Nathan Bedford Forrest whose bust lies at the centre of Tennessee state Cap- itol. This obvious glorification of the ex Grand wizard of the KKK has argua- bly encouraged people to feel less inclined to criticise and engage with his beliefs and so this has fuelled the historic racial prejudice in the southernABOVE: Pol Pot states. In summary, the argument statestal outside Oriel College, Oxford, has that since many of these statuesHistory And Politics Magazine 14

ABOVE: Statue of Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College, part of Oxford Universityand busts are encouraging the toler- rightly feel. Surely, if the society we wantance of intolerance we should take the to live in is one of integration, inter-com-initiative to not only fight intolerance in munal harmony and one where minori-the present but also at its roots in the ties don’t live in fear but feel welcomepast and so remove the statue. it is crucial to remove such statues.A second argument made by similar Despite this strong argument for remov-campaigns is that the existence of such ing statues that supposedly inhibit ourstatues contributes to the oppression ability to get along in a civilised soci-and marginalisation of minority groups. ety, there have been strong clamoursSuch statues add to the sense of al- against removing statues. Firstly, thereienation that minority groups may feel is the freedom argument: such statueslike a hypothetical monument to Adolf do not openly celebrate the manyHitler would to a Jewish community. The evils associated with that historical fig-intimidation that such statues carry with ure but actually are part of history andthem has a severely negative effect on culture of the place they reside in. De-many historically victimised communities spite the many evils related to Nathanreducing integration between commu- Forrest he was a crucial part of the his-nities and adding the fear and sense tory of Tennessee whether people likeof being unwelcome such groups may it or not. The question is very similar15 History And Politics Magazine

to that of the freedom of speech de- in South Africa as similar to the de-bate: just because the idea (or per- struction of rare historical artefacts byson’s statue) does not fit in with mod- Isis in Palmyra. This supposed assaultern liberal values this doesn’t mean you on historical truth is not only chippingcan shy away from it. In fact surely the away at the culture of that place butexistence of that statue encourages also attacking the idea of history asmore people to take on the unsavoury something to engage with and learnbigotry associated with that idea or about. Statues aren’t there to deliber-that figure’s legacy? History needs to ately poke fun at minority groups butbe challenged not brushed under the are part of informing people aboutcarpet if we don’t like it. the history of the area. After months of debate Oriel Col-Secondly, many would dispute that lege decided not remove the statuesuch statues do not openly celebrate of Cecil Rhodes but agreed that histhe many evils associated with that legacy was certainly tainted. Howev-historical figure but actually are part er, in recent years many statues haveof the history and culture of the place been removed in South Africa and thethey reside in. Despite the many evils USA as a sign of respect for the peo-related to Nathan Forrest he was a ple who historically have suffered ascrucial part of the history of Tennes- a result. Leaving the question whethersee whether people like it or not. Many we should remove statues very muchhave compared the campaigns to open.remove such statues of ex-colonialists LEFT: #RhodesMustFall campaignerHistory And Politics Magazine 16

FOR SCOTLANDS INDEPENDENCE Strengthening Both Scotland and EnglandAS A SINGLE SCOTLAND MEANS  Complete control of  57.8 billion additional their country; no longer pounds every year which an item of at the moment goes to Westminster. Scotland’s pocket.  Greater identity  No responsibility to look  Chance to be in Europe; after Scotland; more time to look after the something the Scottish people of England. people want. History And Politics Magazine17

By Oliver Khurshid both on the battlefield and at home; 3. Provide a clear successor and en- sure the transfer of power is smooth. Yet John repeatedly quarrelled withTHow ‘Bad’ was Bad King John? Pope Innocent III over who should behe purpose of this article is to in- the Archbishop of Canterbury at thattroduce a summarised version of time, which resulted in his excommunica-the debate which surrounds a tion and the Pope and a severing ofparticular figure in History, every month. relations with the Church. As a militaryThis time, it is the malicious King John leader, J‘ohn Softsword’ led failed cam-who is being discussed. Is he unfairly paigns in Northern France, ultimatelyrepresented in our history books? losing many provinces including Britta-King John is one of the most notorious- ny. Most significantly of all, he left thely ‘evil’ British monarchs in History. His- country divided in a war between thetorians throughout the centuries have nobility and the Barons, needing to bedubbed him the ‘worst’ of British roy- resolved by his unfortunate successor.alty. From Shakespeare to Disney, this What is more, some accounts claimhas been the traditional view of John, that John was treacherous, trying toheld by both 13th century monks and depose his brother, Richard I, while heour modern popular culture. This clas- was away on the Crusade; miserly, de-sic representation is summed up rath- manding unfair taxes from his Baronser nicely by A. A. Milne, in one of his and people; unjust, abusing his powerchildren’s poems: ‘King John was not a to imprison anyone who annoyed him,good man’. and even paedophilic, by marring Is-However, some modern revisionist histo- abella of Angoulême when she wasrians suggest that John might not be as barely 12 years old.bad as the legend suggests and that However, the source of mosthis is simply another unfortunate of his- of this damaging material istory portrayed unjustly by his enemies, the chronicle produced bymuch like Richard III. So, let us consider monks at St Albans Ab-whether John was truly ‘bad’. bey. Notwithstand-Did John fulfil his role as King? There ing, due to John’swere three main duties of a monarch in poor relationshipmedieval England: 1. Be a good Chris- with the Pope, it istian and maintain strong ties with the understandable thatChurch; 2. Provide strong leadership, these monks would have hadHistory And Politics Magazine 18

their own agenda to portray John in France can be justified, as some histo-the worst way possible. rians believe the Angevin Empire, withPerhaps if we want a more unbiased no imperial acts properly binding theviewpoint, we will have to turn to other territories, was destined to fracture. Wesources. Rather helpfully, during John’s must also judge John, in the context ofreign, the secretariat of government his time. It was not uncommon for a me-kept a systematic record of its business, dieval King to challenge the Church’scomprised of charters, private letters authority, for example Henry II and theand legal documents. These records subsequent murder of Thomas Becket.show the workings of government and The main reason, however, King John’sprovide a unique insight into John’s reputation has suffered is our glorifica-style of ruling. tion of the Magna Carta. As it is viewedThis evidence paints John in a very as a fundamental cornerstone of liber-different light, showing him to having ties and a great rejection of tyranny, it isapplied himself with remarkable en- natural to assume John must have beenergy, focus and attention to detail, a cruel despot, especially when he ini-while ruling. According to this record tially ignored it. Yet, the document Johnof his reign, we can see that John truly was very different to the one used toseemed to be an excellent example justify the resistance of Charles I’s ab-of personal monarchy and how there solutist intentions in the 17th Century orhad never been a monarch who was the one on which the American Consti-quite so keenly devoted. Along with tution was based. The Magna CartaHenry II or Edward I, John represents a of 1215 was more a peace treaty orstandard of monarch, which was never a compromise between John and thequite equalled again in the medieval Barons, which needed revising beforeperiod. being reasonable for both sides.But what about his failures, you may In conclusion, maybe we should recon-ask? Well, with regards to the econ- sider King John before accepting theomy, England was financially exhaust- centuries old stigma. Totally reliableed after Richard the Lion Heart’s costly records are hard to find for the medi-campaign in the Third Crusade and eval period, and as with several otherthen his ransom price after his capture. figures of History, could John’s abomi-Given this problematic inheritance, nable reputation just be the spitefulJohn did reasonably well to recov- crafting of chroniclers? However, thereer, with efficient tax systems. Even his is no smoke without fire…loss of the English territories in Northern19 History And Politics Magazine

Jamie Carlstrandl looks atTrump and Waves of AuthoritarianismAfter news broke of Trump’s de- which carried out countless examples cision to fire FBI director James of violence, intimidation, torture and Comey, who was investigat- even murder of political opponentsing links between his campaign team and members of opposing ideologies.and Russia, people invariably drew Both Hitler and Mussolini were leaderscontrasts between Comey’s firing and that had to force their way into power,the events of Nixon’s Saturday Night often using brute strength, and, in theMassacre, in which the then President case of both leaders, political intrigue.fired Archibald Cox, the independ- Hitler was ultimately invited to form aent prosecutor investigating the Wa- coalition government, as suggested bytergate scandal. Indeed, throughout Von Papen, while Mussolini was explic-both Trumps campaign and Presiden- itly asked to do the same by the thency people have been trying to draw King of Italy. On the other hand Trumpcontrasts between Trump and historical was elected outright by the Americanfigures, in a bid to create some sense people through the democratic struc-of stability in an otherwise dizzying tures that currently exist within the US.time. One of the most common com- Furthermore, the economic climateparisons that have been created is that aided the rise of Hitlerbetween Trump’s rise to power and the in 1930s Germany is en-movements in the 1930s which, as Da- tirely different from that ofvid Motadel stated on History Today, present day America. The‘gave rise to the likes of… Franco… economic crisis in Germa-Mussolini… [and] Hitler’. However, while ny, wallowing in the wake ofsome threads can be linked between the great depression, wasthe surge of fascism in the 1930s and considerably worsethe populist movements of today, thelink is ultimately flawed.By its very nature Fascism at the timewas a movement based on force. Therise of fascism in the 1930s relied heav-ily on the use of private armies and mil-itary powers, in Hitler’s case it was theSA and for Mussolini the black shirts,History And Politics Magazine 20

than anything the US is currently facing stability and insurrection. and it was, in part, that financial difficul- Finally, Germany at the time of Hitler was ty that allowed for the rise of Fascism fatally flawed by its lack of the strong to occur. In fact it is estimated that the deep rooted democratic institutions GDP per capita of a nation needs to that America currently enjoys. When Hit- fall below a threshold of $7,000 be- ler came to power Germany was still a fore any kind of major revolution or po- young country with little experience of litical overthrow is likely to occur, Ger- democracy, the majority of which had many’s in 1934 is estimated at around been mired by economic difficulties $3,858 while the US’s current GDP per and the perpetuation of the ‘stab in capita is well over $55,000. Moreo- the back’ myth. By the time Hitler came ver, the population demographics be- to power, the nation was already used tween the two states are also highly to being ruled by Presidential decrees different. The US currently has a popu- and therefore suffered no ill reactions lation that is on average far older than at Hitler’s attempts to dismantle what that of 1930s Germany, and a young remained of Germany’s democracy. Fur- population is another factor that fas- thermore Hitler faced nearly no serious cism requires to excel. This is because opposition to any of his actions once a young, radical, energetic and influ- in power, and, with the use of the SS, ential population is necessary to pro- was easily able to deal with anything vide the forces and manpower need- that arose. On the other hand America ed for Fascism to carry out its volatile is a nation that has had democracy and violent means of reaching pow- for over 200 years: a democracy that er. The US simply does not have this today has already weathered the au- kind of population at hand, one that thoritarian rise of the 30s, and which fascism so heavily utilises to succeed. has already challenged President In actual fact the large youth pop- Trump on his attempted travel ban ulation and truly worrying and so many of his other policies. While financial status in I am in no way delighted or even sup- Germany at the portive of a Trump Presidency, I believe time is far more we should follow the words of Thomas akin to the situ- Pepinsky in the Washington post, and ation of nations ‘focus on political systems than on pol- such as Egypt, iticians’ personalities.’ who regularly suffer from in-21 History And Politics Magazine

The Dark SidIgoer AloeksfeyWev lionoksstaot n ChurchillWinston Churchill has gone Admiralty from 1911 to 1915, Churchill down in history as one of bears direct responsibility for the disas- Britain’s greatest figures. His trous fiasco of Gallipoli. As Chancellorperformance as the United Kingdom’s of the Exchequer, he was responsiblewartime Prime Minister has caused him for Britain’s return to the Gold Standard,to consistently rank highly when com- which brought deflation, unemploymentpared to other holders of that office. and industrial unrest, to which Church-Indeed, few can dispute the effec- ill responded with great belligerence.tiveness of his masterful oratory and Even as wartime Prime Minister, his plansstalwart composure when it came to were not always successful. He was thesteeling the nation’s resolve against loudest advocate for the Invasion of It-Germany, which, in the years 1940-41, aly in 1943, calling for what he referredprior to their ill-fated campaign in the to as a blow to the “soft underbelly” ofSoviet Union, appeared nigh unstop- Nazi-occupied Europe. He was prov-pable. However, there exist many black en wrong, for after initial success, British,stains on Churchill’s otherwise gleam- Commonwealth and American troopsing reputation that cannot be easily would spend some two years in gruel-ignored. ling combat to advance up the easily defensible peninsula.The sheer span of Churchill’s career isimpressive. An MP for over sixty years, Indeed, the duration of Churchill’s po-Churchill was Prime Minister twice litical career is in itself part of theand held ministerial office under Her- problem.bert Asquith, DavidLloyd George,Stanley Baldwinand NevilleChamber-lain. Howev-er, one mustnot mistakelongevity forsuccess. As First Lord of the 22History And Politics Magazine

Born in the reign of Queen Victoria, he ing. During the Bengal Famine in 1943,fought in the colonies in the name of the Government’s relief attempts wereher Empire and was first elected to Par- not merely sluggish, but tantamount toliament while she still lived. It is not sur- a refusal to import any foodstuffs intoprising then, that Churchill maintained British India to combat the famine.views on the Empire, its subject peoplesand race in general that were seen as Naturally, it would be futile to cen-conservative even at the beginning of sure historical figures on the basis ofhis career and as decidedly outdat- our own modern, liberal morality anded by the time of his second tenure as worldview. However, this is not the casePM. It was this enduring adherence to with Churchill. His views were highly con-old European imperialism that lies at servative at the beginning of his careerthe heart of many of the stains on his and desperately outdated by its endreputation. – and yet they remained consistent. Churchill maintained his - perhaps ide-His attitude produced a decidedly alistic - devotion to the concept of thepaternalistic approach towards the British Empire, even as his contemporar-native populations of the British Empire, ies came to recognize the Empire’s un-akin to the tone a feudal baron would feasibility, andtake with his serfs. It was an attitude public opin-formed by a comfortable sense of one’s ion swungown superiority over the natives, which against it.rendered undue cruelty towards thempointless – all they required was the firmand fatherly guiding hand of their co-lonial overlords. In 1919, Churchill ad-vocated the use of tear gas against“uncivilized tribes” to cause terror at aminimum risk to human life - gas was al-legedly used in this disciplinary fashionin 1920 against a Kurdish uprising inthe British Mandate of Iraq. Moreover,Churchill’s paternalism bred contempttowards these “uncivilized” colonialpeoples, which at times manifested it-self in callous indifference to their suffer-23 History And Politics Magazine

Why Le PenAbkseel Cianugki ooeksleat cted could have benefitted usIwould first like to clarify that if I her own ‘Frexit’. In addition, if France were a French citizen I would not were to leave the EU, she would want have voted for Le Pen, as I think Britain to have a strong economy sothat her protectionist and isolationist we could remain trading partners. Inpolicies could have potentially dam- contrast Macron, who is very pro-EU,aged the French economy. Also, if has previously mentioned his intentionsre-elected, it is likely that Britain could for a very harsh Brexit – as an examplelose some valuable long-term trading that would keep the EU together byprofits from France as a result of the showing the other mem- bers that tighter restrictions. How- it’s not worth leav- ing. ever, I don’t expect that she wouldhavebeenre-elected andbelieve that she couldhave benefitted us, particularlyregarding Brexit negotiations, andwithout the long-term negative reper-cussions if given the chance to gov-ern only until 2022. Primarily, the greatest way thatshe would have benefitted us is con-cerning her view on the EU. Her an-ti-EU beliefs would have helped usbecause she wants to ensure thatBritain gets a good Brexit deal (whichwould be a very significant and pos-itive long-term consequence of LePen for us) as an example for whencampaigning and negotiating forHistory And Politics Magazine 24

Secondarily, she could have pro- aided us. Although immigration is prov-moted the minor French ‘brain drain’ en to profit the economy of a countryof sorts. Currently, many skilled French and this could be seen as populismworkers – particularly bankers, have to appease disenfranchised workers,immigrated into Britain to work be- Britain currently doesn’t have the infra-cause of our lower corporation tax structure the support the mass immigra-(20% compared to France’s 33.33%) tion and Le Pen’s policies could haveand relatively prosperous economy. turned France into another barrierIf Le Pen was elected, it is likely that to reduce immigration to the UK. Al-her potentially disastrous effects on though this wouldn’t stop immigration,the French economy would have in- that would be unfavorable and it cancreased the amount of skilled, tax be debated that this extra boundarypaying workers moving into Britain, could have been what Britain needscontributing to and helping grow our to control it.economy. However, Macron To conclude, despite the fact thathad pledged to she could have had some negativemake long-term effects on trade with France at- if re-elected, because this is a turning tempts to reverse point of British politics, decisions thatthis and bring the skilled she would have made in a single termworkers back to France, par- about immigration, the French econo-tially by reducing corporation tax to my and, most importantly, Brexit, could25%. have been decisions that would haveFinally, one could argue that benefitted Britain for a long time.Le Pen’s restrictions on im-migration could have also25 History And Politics Magazine

John Sheridan looks at The Russion Revolution - The Centenary One must only Materialism as predicted by Marx in look to 1848, or a coup d’état executed by London’s Lenin’s skilled, opportunistic and ruthless c u l t u r a l Bolshevik party? Certainly, the society it scene to replaced was no workers’ paradise, but see the the centralised and authoritarian rule of e x t e n t the nigh-all-powerful Politburo leads to of the im- some calling Soviet communism merely pact of “red tsarism”. The history of the USSR is the Rus- riddled with such paradoxes and con-sian Revolution. In the last few months tradictions – the country that won thethe Royal Academy and the Design Second World War and yet perfectedMuseum have held exhibitions on revo- mass-murder on a scale of which Hitlerlutionary art and architecture, the Brit- could merely dream; the country thatish Library has displayed its remarkable explicitly intended to spread its ide-collection of artefacts from the era in- ology across the world and yet itselfcluding Lenin’s handwritten application crushed the radical left opposition tofor a Reader Pass, and the Tate Mod- Franco during the Spanish Civil War –ern has further plans as the centenary and this is what makes it so interestingof that most fateful October (or may- and stimulating to study from a politicalbe November…) approaches. What point of view.is it about the Bolshevik revolution of However, the allure of the USSR and1917 that, even as the Soviet Union’s the Russian Revolution runs evenpolitical dominance of Eastern Europe deeper. To understand the slew of cul-during the majority of the 20th century tural events memorising its centenary,fades into historical memory, allows it to a comparison with the all-too-similarso capture the imagination and stimu- authoritarian state of Nazi Germanylate discussion? is instructive. The legacy of the NaziThe October Revolution is a difficult seizure of power is one of death andevent to categorise. Was it the triumph destruction; culturally, if not politically, itof the proletariat and the culmination is monolithic, something to be contem-of the onwards march of Dialectical plated with reverential seriousness.History And Politics Magazine 26

The Russian Revolution, for all that the ible wealth of new ideas, new ways ofhorrors of the Civil War, the purges and expression, and new art that the Revo-the Holodomor to name but a few ex- lution shocked into existence.amples must not be forgotten nor trivi-alised, can and should be commemo-rated.Shostakovich, Bulgakov, Kandinsky,Prokofiev, Eisenstein, Gorky, Solzhenitsyn– all these great figures of 20th centuryculture are intimately tied to the Rev-olution. This is not to say they all sup-ported or benefited directly from it, infact many struggled deeply under So-viet rule and artistic dictatorship. TheRevolution however catalysed a hugeexplosion in culture, thought, and artis-tic expression. Unlike the Nazi regimewhich effectively stamped out anymeaningful German contribution to Eu-ropean intellectual and cultural life fordecades, the Russian Revolution bothdirectly and indirectly lead to a wealthof artistic achievement, the influence ofwhich is still felt strongly today.It is this remarkable outpouring of ar-tistic endeavour from an age duringwhich, however fleetingly, anythingand everything seemed achievable,that London’s centres of culture cele-brate. Herein lies the ultimate paradoxof those events that took place 100years ago – when we remember theRussian Revolution, we must surely re-member the atrocities committed in the name of communism. Yet we must also ABOVE: Statue of Lenin, All Russian remember, and celebrate, the incred- Exhibition Centre27 History And Politics Magazine

By Amy Crisp A PerspectiveOpening the official Green Party web- named MP of the year more than once.site, the General Election selection For the green party a confident andspeaks to the reader like an old friend. caring Britain is more important than aThe world indeed is a “pretty scary ‘strong and stable’ one.place” and the negativity that surroundsour top parties can sometimes be de- The main policies released in theterring, but the Green Party immediate- Green Party’s manifesto, are rent con-ly identifies itself as one that is willing to trols for affordable homes, increasedshed the weight of “Old Politics”. The funding of the NHS, the abolishment ofGreen Party advocates progress, pros- tuition fees, a second EU referendumperity, and people’s rights, something where 16 and 17 year olds have thewhich in the world where every individ- right to vote on their future, and investual matters is more important than par- in renewables to protect the environ-ty politics. Such upfrontness is refreshing ment. The sentiment of the manifesto isin a world of political scandal and the a change for the better, the right sideMPs truly care about the wellbeing of of both British and world history. As wellthe people and the country. In fact the as the Landlord Licensing Scheme thatco-founder, Caroline Lucas, has been would enforce minimum standards on named the MP of the year rent to protect from huge annual in- on multiple occasions creases, the Green Party hope to build and MP Jonathan 500,000 new socially rented houses Bartley stood with to provide affordable homes for thou- residents of his home sands of families. In regards to the NHS, borough Lambeth to the Green Party believes that it is im- prevent the demoli- moral to make people reach into their tion of an historic social own pockets to pay for health treat- housing estate. ments, so they plan to fund the NHS Co-lead- through public money only and plug er Car- the deficit hole to lay the way for a o l i n e new and flourishing public health ser- L u c a s vice. In comparison to some opposing h a s parties, for example the Conservatives, b e e n the will make a greater commitment toHistory And Politics Magazine 28

normalising mental illness and equat- companies from drilling into Britain’sing its importance to that of physical countryside will protect houses fromhealth in terms of funding and invest- subsidence.ment. Of course, these promises of a great-Young people are the future and ed- er, more equal future are ideal, so whyucation is the path to a better one, don’t more people vote for the Greenwhich is why the Green Party aims to Party? The problem comes in two prin-scrap tuition fees and reinstate the Ed- ciple parts, and firstly there is cynicism.ucation Maintenance Grant to ensure Green policies sound incredibly ideal-that those from less fortunate backg istic and out of reach of our country,rounds are able to have the same but the Green Party does not only makeopportunities as others. Furthermore, promises it cannot fulfil. On a local, per-to protect young people’s educa- sonal level, their achievements havetion following the fall out of Brexit, they already been proven by MPs such aswould create a UK equivalent to the Johnathan Bartley. And Green council-EU Higher Education Funding. Leading lors in Sheffield selflessly increased theon from the impact of Brexit on young council tax in order to pay increasedpeople, the Green Party want to hold support for the poorest 30,000 familiesa second referendum once the terms in the city. On a larger level, Green As-of a deal have been agreed with the sembly members in London introducedEU, and extend the vote to 16 and the very first living17 year olds, so that we can have a wage, and Greengreater say in our future. MEPs secured the introduction ofFinally, an altruistic aim of the Green a Europe-wideParty, which lives up to the party’s name, cap on bank-is the liberation from the threat of glob- ers’ bonusesal warming. By investing in renewable following the fi-energy sources and cutting down on nancial crash.coal, oil and gas plants, which domore harm than good. This will create acleaner, safer Britain, through minimisingair pollution and cleaner rivers, parksand gardens. This will limit the dangersof flooding and preventing fracking29 History And Politics Magazine

Secondly, most people are highly skep- pounds of financial transaction andtical about how the Green Party will a severe crackdown on tax evasionfinance these measures. Some of the and avoidance. The flaw in this strate-costly policies in the manifesto would gy is that wealthy individuals would bebe funded by reallocation spending, more likely to shift their assets offshorefor example cutting road schemes. The or have less incentive to accumulateGreens plan to create anew ‘wealth them in the first place. Whether this istax’ on the rich where anyone with as- plausible or not is up to the voters ofsets over £3 millions would pay 2% a this country.year and someone with assets of over£3.5 millions would have an annual tax Overall, the Green Party is well mean-bull of £70,000. The Green Party cal- ing and certainly hopeful for a betterculates that this would raise £25 bil- future, but it cannot achieve one with-lions a year by 2020. Other sources out a greater base of supporters whoof revenue would include increased believe that their promises are feasible.taxation of alcohol, tobacco and ‘un- Which direction will Britain take?healthy foods’ and the ‘Robin Hoodtax’ on the finance sector’s billions ofHistory And Politics Magazine 30

Vote for the man on the right side of history. VOTE31 History And Politics Magazine

By Fergus Kirman A CriticismIn the 2015 General Election, UKIP received 12.6% of the vote, and only oneMP. Many in the political mainstream saw the party as a growing problem, draw-ing anti-establishment votes, support from the Conservative Right and disen-franchised “patriotic” voters. Our former Prime Minister David Cameron saw theirelection-spoiling capacity, and promised to hold the long demanded EU mem-bership referendum, confident that he would once again be able to tie his ownhands with the excuse of coalition with the Liberal Democrats. Sadly for him,he won an outright majority, and had to start following through on his electionpromises. Having taken a trip around Europe to rally support for meagre reforms,he returned and held a referendum, about which UKIP felt somewhat strongly.Anyone with the misfortune to see Nigel Farage’s face on 24th June willknow just how badly things went wrong for David, and how well things wentfor UKIP. However, now that Theresa May has plotted the course and tak-en the plunge, one question is rather obvious: what’s the point of UKIP?May has adhered to their demands word for word, and given that our “in-dependence” will soon be achieved, they have everything they were askingfor, if not more. They no longer even need to exist as a pressure group, con-sidering the position of power the dogmatic Tory Right holds over the party.The party’s loss of relevance is clearly felt by its former supporters. UKIP lost everysingle seat (145) they were defending in the council elections, and they droppedaround 5% in the national polls immediately after Theresa May announced theGeneral Election. Leader Paul Nuttall has been trying hard to emulate Europe’sfar Right parties, with promises to fight terror, uphold law and order, and, of course,ban the burqa. But as each misguided policy is declared, UKIP springs anotherleak, as even its own management leave the increasingly directionless party.UKIP, only bothering to field 377 candidates, enters this election facing near totalannihilation at the hands of the Tories, and the real question will be how much ofthe corpse remains afterwards. Once May’s vision of a Brexit to deliver us back tothe days of Empire and pre-globalisation prosperity fails to materialise, the far rightmay yet surge once again, but until “the great betrayal” occurs, UKIP have nothingto offer. They got what they wanted. Good riddance. Time of death: June 8th 2017.History And Politics Magazine 32

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By John SheridanA PerspectiveThis election is the most important po- Tax”. U-turn after U-turn from the Con-litical decision of our generation. Not servatives and the lack of a costedonly will it determine our relationship manifesto or any concrete spendingwith the EU for the foreseeable future, pledge means a vote for the Tories isbut the vote on 8 July is the opportu- a wild gamble over our social security.nity for our generation to “take back The last week’s policy omnishamblescontrol” of our future. shows that “this lady” very much is “for turning”. In comparison, the LabourUnder the Conservatives, a tiered manifesto is fully costed with a marginuniversity fee system will be intro- of error of £3.6bil – to be funded withduced. Top institutions such as Oxford a gradual and comparatively mod-and Cambridge will have the right to erate increase in corporation tax, ascharge whatever they want for de- well as cracking down on tax evasiongrees, leading to a system like in the and avoidance.US, where quality of education is de-termined by family wealth rather than Labour is also the only party com-academic merit. Labour are the true mitted to a progressive Brexit. Theparty of equality of opportunity – a referendum clearly showed dissat-world-class standard of primary, sec- isfaction with Britain’s membership inondary and tertiary education should the EU, however it gave no mandatebe a right available to all, not a privi- for an aggressive, nationalist, hardlege for the wealthy minority. Labour is Brexit, the likes of which many in thethe party committed to ensuring that Conservative party would like to see.all of our generation and those to Under a Labour government, Britaincome have access to the best op- will leave the EU. This does not meanportunities our country has to offer. that we will cut all ties with the Union, accuse it of meddling in our country’sLabour are by no means solely the politics, and threaten trade or territo-party of the youth however. The tri- rial conflict. Brexit is an opportunity tople-lock pension, a vital measure for build a fairer Britain, and policies onpreserving the livelihood of the older single-market membership, freedom ofgenerations, finds itself under threat movement, and our border with thefrom Theresa May and her “Dementia Republic of Ireland will be decidedHistory And Politics Magazine 34

on a pragmatic basis. Our policy to- wards the EU will determined by eco- nomic realism, rather than ideological zealotry – a Labour Brexit will take the opportunity to improve our society and continue to foster international cooperation. It will be a Brexit for the 100%, not the 51%, nor the 48%, and certainly not the 1%. Vote for a fairer society. Vote for equal opportunities for all. Vote for Labour; for many, not the few.35 History And Politics Magazine

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