Faux Pas

So I joined the "Stirling Socialist" and the "Stirling People&Planet" student societies. Which is perhaps a bit of an odd thing to do seeing as I'm neither a socialist nor a student at Stirling. And I suppose joining the conversation on "how can the socialists win the next election" with the comment "I would never vote socialist" was bound to raise a few eyebrows and growls. :-)

But I was simply being genuine. No matter how you twist or turn the issue, Socialistic Ideals are highly valid and I would say I ascribe to them. Paradoxal as it may seem though, I ascribe to Liberal Democratic Ideals too. But when it comes down to casting a vote, I have yet to turn Socialist.




When asked why on Earth I would join a Socialist Society despite not voting as such, I could only explain my position as follows. "Socialism" as a concept has been through the mill a few times over the past couple of centuries or so. It is an umbrella that covers as diverse a spectrum of backbenchers as you could expect it to cover. The shades of socialism range from anarchistic, moderate communist, socialist, liberal socialist, democratic socialist, centre or... as is the case with New Labour, perhaps even moderately to highly rightwing. I find it hard to back any party that has such undefined boundaries, despite the validity of the underlying ideologies. When brought to power, such parties are most often found to waddle their way through a vague policy.

So why did I join? I supose it was partially because I want to be convinced. Perhaps my views and opinions are tainted. In a way, I would also like to regain some hope that an entirely new and viable definition of current socialism is possible. And... I want to learn. The discussions I had with people last Wednesday have already given me insight, perhaps not as much into the global issus of Socialism, but very much so into my own. Into the flaws of my own reasoning.

Apart from this, it was lively bunch of people. Who chuckled friendly at my faux pas of buying Appletizer (A coca-cola brand)right after a debate on "How and why to boycott Coca Cola". Who listened to my arguments and gave them thought, without the need to attack. Who calmly explained to me why they so passionately believe in what they do. And who allowed a Liberal Democrat to join their ranks, for sake of diversity. Now how's that for a contradictio-in-termis in my train of thought ;-)