- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st Edition edition (18 Sep 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007101317
- ISBN-13: 978-0007101313
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.8 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 809,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Future of Politics (text only)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In 1999, Charles Kennedy was elected as leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, after a meteoric rise through the party, after becoming the youngest sitting MP of the time following the General Election of 1983. The Future of Politics is intended to define Kennedy's liberal political philosophy, and is a deliberate attempt to bolster perceptions of the Liberal leader as a well-meaning but politically lightweight leader of the nation's third party.
The book stands in a long tradition of books written by political leaders that have a very short shelf life, as they pitch their vision to the party faithful and media pundits in the run-up to the next general election. Nevertheless, Kennedy emerges as a pleasant and principled politician, even if his sentiments, such as "we are in politics to promote the liberty of the individual", lack practical substance. The book ranges across the issues central to Kennedy's leadership of the party--constitutional reform, the environment, Europe and the economy. The tone also veers from the portentous, invoking John Stuart Mill and Aeschylus, to the chatty, as Kennedy encompasses his own Highland upbringing to his views on the current state of the British political system. At times the colloquial style makes Kennedy sound rather naïve, such as when he says that "put simply, my philosophy of government is that it should do less in a few areas, do more in others, and do different in most", but overall this is a sound, sensible and very liberal view of British politics. --Jerry Brotton
Review
Kennedy, the current leader of the British Liberal Deomcrat Party, sets out his political stall discussing issues presently dominating national and European agendas. His opinions are flavoured by total commitment to European integration and an appreciation and contrasting of the socio-politcal and economic philosophies of Adam Smith and Thatcherism, Keynes and Hobhouse. This book is confined to the major concerns of social justice, environmental issues, relief from the 'dead hand' of government, technological and scientific innovation, devolution and globalization. Numerous solutions are proided to solve existing problems which should provoke some interesting debates. Certainly some are novel and many would say touchingly naive. It is a rare politician who clearly believes in the inherent goodness of man and willingly confesses to that faith - at least in the ruled, if not their rulers. Some will believe Kennedy is wishing for the moon, others will rush out and become fully paid-up disciples. This reviewer will continue to ponder how his vision of returning power to 'the people' can be reconciled with welcoming additional tiers of regulatory government in both the United Kingdom and Europe. That notwithstanding, these essays are a worthwhile and constructive contribution whether one agrees, or not, with his conclusions. As behoves an experienced broadcaster and television performer, Kennedy has produced a fluent, uncluttered text easily assimilated and digestible by both novice and political hack. (Kirkus UK)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Charles Kennedy, the leader of the British Social Democrat Party sets out his political stall discussing issues presently dominating national and European agendas. His opinions are flavoured by total commitment to European integration and an appreciation and contrasting of the socio-political and economic philosophies of Adam Smith and Thatcherism, Keynes and Hobhouse.
This book is confined to the major concerns of social justice, environmental issues, relief from the "dead hand" of government, technological and scientific innovation, devolution and globalization. Numerous solutions are provided to solve existing problems which should provoke some interesting debates. Certainly some are novel and many would say touchingly naive. It is a rare politician who clearly believes in the inherent goodness of man and willingly confesses to that faith. At least in the ruled, if not their rulers. Some will believe Mr. Kennedy is wishing for the moon, others will rush out and become a fully paid up disciple. This reviewer will continue to ponder how his vision of returning power to "the people" can be reconciled with welcoming additional tiers of regulatory government in both the United Kingdom and Europe. That notwithstanding, these essays are a worthwhile and constructive contribution whether one agrees, or not, with his conclusions.
As behoves an experienced broadcaster and television performer, Charles Kennedy has produced a fluent, uncluttered text easily assimilated and digestible by both novice and political hack.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
With Labour very much occupying the political centre, the Lib Dems were going to be squeezed unless they could show that they were a relevant, dinstinctive political force. Charles Kennedy does this with panache, detailing a radical, liberal agenda with particular emphases on certain themes such as the environment and personal freedom. Kennedy also tackles the current malaise affecting modern, political Britain, convincingly advocating his agenda for constitutional modernisation and lambasting Labour's reforming timidity. With the Conservatives' extremity on most issues, seemingly jumping aboard every Daily Mail campaign, the Liberal Democrats have been forced, willingly, into the role of the responsible opposition and providing a credible alternative to Blairism. Kennedy responds with a pleasing and appealing vision of what constitutes "Kennedyism". While the unfair electoral system still does not allow just representation for the 17-20% of Britain who vote Liberal Democrat, Kennedy seizes the intellectual initiative even if the political initiative is in the hands of the "electoral dictatorship" of New Labour. Whilst Charles Kennedy's "The Future of Politics" is no "On Liberty" and doesn't redefine liberalism in te same way as a J.S. Mill or Hobson, as he would readily admit, it shows the reader the continued relevance of Britain's third party and provides hope for those who think that Hague's misfits can seriously scutinise a government with such a huge majority. Charles Kennedy has made a significant achievement.
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