There seems to be a whole body of discussion on whether we are post neo-liberal now or in a revised form of it. But what on earth is neo-liberalism? It may be seen as the dominant political context but few people seem to define it.
Neo-liberalism – for me – is about a market-lead approach, freeing the markets to lead economic growth and service provision. It is also about rendering the individual citizen a contributor and beneficiary of a market system.
Now many against neo-liberalism argue that all values thus become economic, driven by targets and other social and philosophical values are lost.
Those in favour, see it as method for financial gains individually and nationally, smaller, more efficient government which leaves the citizen in control.
During the economic crisis it was deemed that neo-liberalism had failed; leaving banks and markets to decide the worth of anything lead to a melt-down. But it has to be questioned what form of neo-liberalism failed as it has gradually evolved.
Thatcher and Reagan are seen as the original creators of neo-liberalism though they themselves would not use the term nor particularly see themselves as liberals. They lead the large-scale opening up of markets, encouraging home ownership (and thus individual participation in a market) and changed our relationship with public services.
This model was then revised by Clinton and Blair with the so-called ‘third way’: put simply, market liberalism with a social conscience which meant more state investment in services. And yet for some this lacked the economic rigour for some and thus was doomed to failure.
The thing is that we are yet to see a huge divergence away from the models identified above. Despite the cycles of market growth and constriction, it appears to have worked as a model for increasing wealth. Indeed it is still ensuring huge growth in China, India and Brazil.
What 2008 did was make excessive money (and particularly bankers) look wrong and cause people to ask that a wider set of values be attributed to our markets, governance and, indeed, our lives. I can see neo-liberalism evolving to take on these values; causing a third stage of the concept’s development.
As someone researching European Higher Education, many of the key questions tied to it are attributed to neo-liberalism: the current form of the EU, globalisation, the market approach to HE, the understanding of education/learning etc. My tutor (rightly) argues that I need to challenge these ideas and look for alternative models. My problem is this: I have this feeling that, from my perspective, neo-liberalism works and – with the above evolution – should work better.
Due to neo-liberalism (though some would say despite it), universities have grown and been successful, people are more mobile and aware of the world and the individual’s capacity to bring about change have become clear.
There are faults and the current coalition government are aware of them. But what’s required is a revision to the neo-liberal model - rather than a whole scale scrapping of it as it remains an important model for our universities, country and world.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Research Update 24/01/11
So the plan of writing every day with what I had done does not seem to have worked either, does it? So let’s scrap that for a work. The thing is I don’t make the greatest diarist but be assured that I have been working for at least an hour a day. The essay on the philosophy of social scientific research went through 3 further drafts and has resulted in quite a bit of reading on the History of the European Union and on neo-liberalism. A post follows on that and I think this will have to remain my main way of writing as daily (or even regular blogging) does not appear to work for me!!
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Research Diary 04/01/12
Hours Carried Forward from Last Session: -3 hours (none done first 3 days of year)
Hours & Work Undertaken: 5 hours - redrafting philosophy of research essay.
Hours Carried Forward to Next Session & Job List: +2 hours - reflect on 2nd draft of essay, start condencing reading for lit review.
Notes:
After not finishing the re-draft of the essay at home (too many other distractions), I finished this evening and have sent it to a couple of friends to have a look at.
Found sorting the philosophical considerations behind my research a little tough. You're not meant to fit your methodology or paradigm to the methods or the research questions but in a sense I feel I have had to after not sorting this to start off with. I suppose this is part of the learning process in doing a major research project. Next time I will sort the lit review and methodology ahead of actually starting the research.
Sort of got hear around the whole epistemology and ontology question (I am an interpretivist and social constructionist, on the whole) but need to work out how I express that.
Style wise - a little muddy I suspect in places. Tried to get it that each section (epistemologival, ontological and political considerations) to one author/thinker. Almost there on the first and last but not really got to the bottom of who the key thinker in social constructionism is, yet. It would be tidier and more pleasing stylistically if I could simplify the structure.
Tomorrow I will have a break on this and look at the lit review. Need a change of task and just a quick data-basing my reading will make a nice contrast and help me focus on what I am reading.
Hours & Work Undertaken: 5 hours - redrafting philosophy of research essay.
Hours Carried Forward to Next Session & Job List: +2 hours - reflect on 2nd draft of essay, start condencing reading for lit review.
Notes:
After not finishing the re-draft of the essay at home (too many other distractions), I finished this evening and have sent it to a couple of friends to have a look at.
Found sorting the philosophical considerations behind my research a little tough. You're not meant to fit your methodology or paradigm to the methods or the research questions but in a sense I feel I have had to after not sorting this to start off with. I suppose this is part of the learning process in doing a major research project. Next time I will sort the lit review and methodology ahead of actually starting the research.
Sort of got hear around the whole epistemology and ontology question (I am an interpretivist and social constructionist, on the whole) but need to work out how I express that.
Style wise - a little muddy I suspect in places. Tried to get it that each section (epistemologival, ontological and political considerations) to one author/thinker. Almost there on the first and last but not really got to the bottom of who the key thinker in social constructionism is, yet. It would be tidier and more pleasing stylistically if I could simplify the structure.
Tomorrow I will have a break on this and look at the lit review. Need a change of task and just a quick data-basing my reading will make a nice contrast and help me focus on what I am reading.
New Year New Blog
So I am going to aim and fill in a (short) blog every time I do some research on the PhD. The aim has always been to do an hour and I will keep a brief diary of the format below. Every day for a year so you can see what is going on. Feel free to feedback on any of my thoughts! That doesn't mean there weren't be other posts on other issues (particularly politics, news, university items and general reflections); I just want to keep a better record of my research
Hours Carried Forward from Last Session:
Hours & Work Undertaken:
Hours Carried Forward to Next Session & Job List:
Notes:
Hours Carried Forward from Last Session:
Hours & Work Undertaken:
Hours Carried Forward to Next Session & Job List:
Notes:
Reflections on Citizen Journalism
10 days ago I was stuck in the protests on Oxford Street and proceeded to capture the event using my mobile to tweet and record the event, blogging about it afterwards and disseminating my findings by email & social media.
This reminded me of discussions about citizen journalism when I studied to be a journalist at the University of Sheffield. Now much has been written about citzen journalism and there's even a good wikipedia summarising many of the debates. Now the 2 of the problems with citizen journalism are obvious: skills (whether someone is trained to report) and editorial rigour (anyone can blog, that doesn't necessarily make it fair/balanced journalism).
Now unlike many 'citizen' journalists, I have actually trained formally as a journalist and I was conscious of one key limitation during my time on Oxford Street: the lack of editorial oversight available. If I had been linked to a newsroom, more details on what was happening elsewhere could have been fed back to me and a wider context passed on which would have allowed me to focus on the important areas in what I was witnessing. This would have helped with independence of the journalist (even if most journalists can self-regulate themselves) but more importantly told me where to focus my efforts.
As part of the MA dissertation handbook, I remember reading that good academic research is like good journlism: thorough, verifiable and fairly presented. As an academic researcher now, I have the framework (libraries, online publications, colleagues etc.) to fraw on to verify my work. As a journalist you have the desk-based research, news wires and colleagues to rely on. As a citizen journalist, I felt alone and could not guarantee I was getting it all - let alone getting it all right.
Over the last few days I have been drawing on a reflection on objectivity I wrote as part of my MA dissertation. In that work, I argued that objectivity is impossible but the rigours of trying to achieve it at least ensure work is balanced and possibly of a higher, more ethical standard. Much to my tutor's disbelief I think the same is true for my PhD research: the ability to critically reflect on one's work is important. Now as an MA and PhD student, that is part of what academia helps instil. As a journalist, the profession and the editor help instil this. As a citizen journalist, I lacked both the guidance of a team to deliver journalism that would work in the wider world.
Elsewhere on this blog, I have discussed the changing media habits (look at my blog a few moments before the protests for my first thoughts): there is a clear 2 tier news system with an 'official stream' (made up of journalists & mainstream media) for hard facts & comment and an 'unofficial stream' (made up of citizen journalists & commentators) for analysis. Now this has always existed - look at any historical event and the official media has always been challenged; some would argue that the pamphlets of the 1968 protests, for example, have become the blogs of today.
However, in a modern media world, there is a need to ensure wider media education so that people can assess and access all types of media. Not all forms are equal and should be given the same credance. And that includes my report from Oxford Street. My report lacks the journalistic rigour that official media would give it - even though I would vouch for its accuracy.
On Saturday's 'Today' programme, there was a discussion over whether blogging is dead and what media will take things forward. This would leave citizen journalists looking either out of a job or looking for a new way forward. But in age where media seems all dominating, though the format may change, there is still a need for citizen journalists to be there.
So for all my faults on Oxford Street, I come to the same conclusion about my citizen journalism as I did for my MA & PhD and my professional journalism: that trying to follow the research & reporting protocols of the 'trade' may not result in a perfect product but it at least means a story gets out there.
This reminded me of discussions about citizen journalism when I studied to be a journalist at the University of Sheffield. Now much has been written about citzen journalism and there's even a good wikipedia summarising many of the debates. Now the 2 of the problems with citizen journalism are obvious: skills (whether someone is trained to report) and editorial rigour (anyone can blog, that doesn't necessarily make it fair/balanced journalism).
Now unlike many 'citizen' journalists, I have actually trained formally as a journalist and I was conscious of one key limitation during my time on Oxford Street: the lack of editorial oversight available. If I had been linked to a newsroom, more details on what was happening elsewhere could have been fed back to me and a wider context passed on which would have allowed me to focus on the important areas in what I was witnessing. This would have helped with independence of the journalist (even if most journalists can self-regulate themselves) but more importantly told me where to focus my efforts.
As part of the MA dissertation handbook, I remember reading that good academic research is like good journlism: thorough, verifiable and fairly presented. As an academic researcher now, I have the framework (libraries, online publications, colleagues etc.) to fraw on to verify my work. As a journalist you have the desk-based research, news wires and colleagues to rely on. As a citizen journalist, I felt alone and could not guarantee I was getting it all - let alone getting it all right.
Over the last few days I have been drawing on a reflection on objectivity I wrote as part of my MA dissertation. In that work, I argued that objectivity is impossible but the rigours of trying to achieve it at least ensure work is balanced and possibly of a higher, more ethical standard. Much to my tutor's disbelief I think the same is true for my PhD research: the ability to critically reflect on one's work is important. Now as an MA and PhD student, that is part of what academia helps instil. As a journalist, the profession and the editor help instil this. As a citizen journalist, I lacked both the guidance of a team to deliver journalism that would work in the wider world.
Elsewhere on this blog, I have discussed the changing media habits (look at my blog a few moments before the protests for my first thoughts): there is a clear 2 tier news system with an 'official stream' (made up of journalists & mainstream media) for hard facts & comment and an 'unofficial stream' (made up of citizen journalists & commentators) for analysis. Now this has always existed - look at any historical event and the official media has always been challenged; some would argue that the pamphlets of the 1968 protests, for example, have become the blogs of today.
However, in a modern media world, there is a need to ensure wider media education so that people can assess and access all types of media. Not all forms are equal and should be given the same credance. And that includes my report from Oxford Street. My report lacks the journalistic rigour that official media would give it - even though I would vouch for its accuracy.
On Saturday's 'Today' programme, there was a discussion over whether blogging is dead and what media will take things forward. This would leave citizen journalists looking either out of a job or looking for a new way forward. But in age where media seems all dominating, though the format may change, there is still a need for citizen journalists to be there.
So for all my faults on Oxford Street, I come to the same conclusion about my citizen journalism as I did for my MA & PhD and my professional journalism: that trying to follow the research & reporting protocols of the 'trade' may not result in a perfect product but it at least means a story gets out there.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Oxford Street Protest: First Hand Account
As I rounded the corner to find riot police in the road, my first thought was that there had been an attack on Top Shop and other brands, as there had been the previous weekend over firms lack of UK tax payments. And the evidence backed this up with 60-80 protesters outside a rather damaged shop window. However, as the number of Police increased and started containing the crowd, the feeling and nature of the group changed. It became hard to judge who were protesting and who were shopping. Whatever, as fires were lit, there were some 300 taking action, as many police and several thousand onlookers.
As the numbers increased, so did the fire and there was strange mix of chants. It started with the expected (for a tuition fees protest) 'No ifs, no buts, no education cuts' with posters condemning the Lib Dems. Increasingly, 'Our Street' and 'Tory Scum' became the chant from the people banging and standing on bins. It was unclear what THIS protest was against but clear its participants weren't just students. 
The crowd grew to some 500 with larger missiles thrown at the Police. I now learn that during one of the surges forward, these items were also aimed at Prince Charles. A strong smell of burning, alcohol, cannabis and a more threatening atmosphere filled the air. With protesters circling on bikes and many using social media applications on their mobiles, it became clear something was about to happen. There was a sudden rush of at least 600 protesters down Oxford Street off to their next location at Marble Arch. On the way down they pulled the emergency stop on a number of buses, paralysing the entire road. But as they move away so did the cleaners appear and the evidence of what had just gone was quickly erased.
Having reported on student protests as a University Radio Reporter in France and the UK, witnessed teacher protests as a work placement journalist in France and covered a number of crowd events as a trainee reporter at Sheffield, I have seen more than the average number of protests. This was different. The selection of Oxford Street and Prince Charles' car rather than just Parliament and Government Buildings make me wonder the motivation of the protesters. Given the slogans these weren't all students. Given the alcohol, drugs and weapons available this was not always intended to be peaceful.
The policing was fair and subtle; I witnessed no provocation and, conversely, during the run down Oxford Street I saw no Police control or warning of the general public. The flash mob technique was successful if intimidating. As I walked down Oxford Street back to work this morning, there is little evidence as to what happened last night bar the repairs to shop windows. Yet it is all that the media (and office) are talking about. I wonder how long the repairs to reputations in Westminster and to the Students' cause will take.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Tweets: Oxford Circus "Student" Protest as it Happened
Below is a summary of my tweets from Oxrford Circus via Twitter @cjgrinbergs on Thursday 09/12/10.
1937: At oxford circus. Riot police out after attacks on top shop. #demo2010
1939: Mass rush down oxford street. 8 police vehicles & at least 60 police. hard to work out who are shoppers & rioters. #demo2010
1940: At least 40 riot police in groups, helicopter over, at least 5 riot vehicles. more sirens approaching. #demo2010
1942: @BBCTravelAlert Buses delayed on oxford street as wild cat protest & police go through #demo2010
1945: Chants of tory scum andpolice battons raised in centre of oxford circus #demo2010
1953: Tube back open and buses moving down regent street. #demos2010
1956: 60-80 Protestors outside top shop. at least as many police. 10 times aa many onlookers/shoppets. 3 more police vans. #demo2010
1958: Chants up 'our street', protest group larger, contained by riot police #demo2010
2001: Chant of 'no ifs not buts no edu cuts' & 'tory cuts' now. Is this an anti tax protest or anti #tuitionfees? #demo2010
2005: Riot police in groups at either end oxford street, Lines holding tourists, demonstrators & police apart #Demo2010
2007: Protestors hard to distinguish from tourists. hundreds descending. flash protest getting larger. 300 May be. #demo2010
2009: fire in middle oxford street. 4/500 now. #Demo2010
2012: Chants change from 'tory scum' to 'our streets' to against education cuts. unclear what focus of protest is. #demo2010
2015: Lots of alcohol being drunk by protestors, bins used as drums, fire stoked & smell of cannabis in air. #demo2010
2019: Scuffle with police. bottles thrown. fire quite large. still people arriving about 500 now. #demo2010
2020: Banner appeared criticising lib dems but chants of 'our streets' #demo2010
2028: Fireworks and larger missiles thrown. Cheers go up everytime riot police forced back. more threatening now. #Demo2010
2032: Group splits. at least 600 rush up oxford street. police don't stop or control #demo2010
2034: Tube closed, buses stopped, thinner crowd and street cleaners already in place. #demo2010
2037: Protestors on bikes circle everywhere and head off down oxford circus to next flash protest #demo2010
2040: Lots of mobiles with social media apps open. may be reports of next protest. #demo2010
2044: bus driver tells me protestors pulled emergency engine cut on all buses they passed down oxford street. at least 10 still stopped #demo2010
2046Heavy security in shops. many cleaning mess or guarding
2049: Shoppers reactions: 'at least h&m's still open' 'we all av to suffer cuts' but mainly bemused/intrigued. #Demo2010
2052: crowds clearing, still 6 police vans plus loads of officers at oxford circus. #demo2010
2117: On way home, life on oxford street returns to normal but I remember why I wanted & trained to be a journalist #demo2010
2154: Protestors failed to disrupt royal variety but prince charles car got it. didn't realise i was that close into things. #demo10
2208: RT @gedrobinson Spot on 'headline' on ITN. "Rioters hijack student protests."
2208: RT @voyagerd79 Sorry students, you have lost all credibility after what you have done today.
2212: Policing I saw was surprisingly careful given closeness of prince charles but protestors tested firmly. #demo10
2214: @TimothyJMoore It was nasty & the protestors were throwing large items & using flash mob techniques. Reports about right.
2218: Reporting on news seems fair to me: protestors used flash mob techmiques, threw large items & were not provoked by police.
2222: News has missed fact that protestors' slogans showed many non-fees participants & heavy presence of alcohol/drugs. They weren't all students
2225: Given selection of top shop & prince charles as targets, not just parliament/gov depts makes me wonder some protestors' motivations
1937: At oxford circus. Riot police out after attacks on top shop. #demo2010
1939: Mass rush down oxford street. 8 police vehicles & at least 60 police. hard to work out who are shoppers & rioters. #demo2010
1940: At least 40 riot police in groups, helicopter over, at least 5 riot vehicles. more sirens approaching. #demo2010
1942: @BBCTravelAlert Buses delayed on oxford street as wild cat protest & police go through #demo2010
1945: Chants of tory scum andpolice battons raised in centre of oxford circus #demo2010
1953: Tube back open and buses moving down regent street. #demos2010
1956: 60-80 Protestors outside top shop. at least as many police. 10 times aa many onlookers/shoppets. 3 more police vans. #demo2010
1958: Chants up 'our street', protest group larger, contained by riot police #demo2010
2001: Chant of 'no ifs not buts no edu cuts' & 'tory cuts' now. Is this an anti tax protest or anti #tuitionfees? #demo2010
2005: Riot police in groups at either end oxford street, Lines holding tourists, demonstrators & police apart #Demo2010
2007: Protestors hard to distinguish from tourists. hundreds descending. flash protest getting larger. 300 May be. #demo2010
2009: fire in middle oxford street. 4/500 now. #Demo2010
2012: Chants change from 'tory scum' to 'our streets' to against education cuts. unclear what focus of protest is. #demo2010
2015: Lots of alcohol being drunk by protestors, bins used as drums, fire stoked & smell of cannabis in air. #demo2010
2019: Scuffle with police. bottles thrown. fire quite large. still people arriving about 500 now. #demo2010
2020: Banner appeared criticising lib dems but chants of 'our streets' #demo2010
2028: Fireworks and larger missiles thrown. Cheers go up everytime riot police forced back. more threatening now. #Demo2010
2032: Group splits. at least 600 rush up oxford street. police don't stop or control #demo2010
2034: Tube closed, buses stopped, thinner crowd and street cleaners already in place. #demo2010
2037: Protestors on bikes circle everywhere and head off down oxford circus to next flash protest #demo2010
2040: Lots of mobiles with social media apps open. may be reports of next protest. #demo2010
2044: bus driver tells me protestors pulled emergency engine cut on all buses they passed down oxford street. at least 10 still stopped #demo2010
2046Heavy security in shops. many cleaning mess or guarding
2049: Shoppers reactions: 'at least h&m's still open' 'we all av to suffer cuts' but mainly bemused/intrigued. #Demo2010
2052: crowds clearing, still 6 police vans plus loads of officers at oxford circus. #demo2010
2117: On way home, life on oxford street returns to normal but I remember why I wanted & trained to be a journalist #demo2010
2154: Protestors failed to disrupt royal variety but prince charles car got it. didn't realise i was that close into things. #demo10
2208: RT @gedrobinson Spot on 'headline' on ITN. "Rioters hijack student protests."
2208: RT @voyagerd79 Sorry students, you have lost all credibility after what you have done today.
2212: Policing I saw was surprisingly careful given closeness of prince charles but protestors tested firmly. #demo10
2214: @TimothyJMoore It was nasty & the protestors were throwing large items & using flash mob techniques. Reports about right.
2218: Reporting on news seems fair to me: protestors used flash mob techmiques, threw large items & were not provoked by police.
2222: News has missed fact that protestors' slogans showed many non-fees participants & heavy presence of alcohol/drugs. They weren't all students
2225: Given selection of top shop & prince charles as targets, not just parliament/gov depts makes me wonder some protestors' motivations
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Tuition Fees & Future University Funding: Rolling Blog
This is a rolling blog during the 36 hours ahead of the Government vote on tuition fees on the evening of Thursday 9 December 2010. This will try to cover & discuss the national day of action by the NUS (Wednesday 8 December), any news from London, the Universities of Westminster (my work institution) or Roehampton (my PhD institution) and any news on the political negotiations. All opinions my own, keep an eye on my twitter feed @cjgrinbergs and remember all new entries will appear at the top so read from the bottom for the start of the story.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1905 My Blog: What the #tuitionfees protests mean for social media & citizen journalism http://tinyurl.com/38d98v3
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1859 My Blog: Why I don't want this vote to spell the start of the end of coalition politics: http://tinyurl.com/38d98v3
09/12/10 1830 So the vote has taken place and there was a majority of 21 (323 for, 302 against) which is a reduced governmental majority from 84. Apparently 21 Lib Dems voted against. The policy has got through and so the university system can now start to move on and adjust to its new funding regime.
I think there are some issues that have been raised about the wider political and media fall outs from this.
Firstly, this has been one of the first protests organised and covered using social media (including blogs and tweets like this). Though the shots of police charges and demonstrators are reminiscent of the protests over Poll Tax and the numbers involved remind us of the Iraq protest, this protest is different. It is on a scale not seen for a while, a violence not seen for 20 years and organised using media that we didn't know exist. The issues of impartiality of the broadcasters (the BBC will come in for criticism again) will never go away but their role as a reporter of facts looks secure. However, as at the election, the use of social media & 'citizen journalism' to provide alternative comment & to 'rally the troops' is becoming more important, as seen today in the interactivity and organisation of the opposition to the tuition fees vote.
For the political, this is one of the first tests of coalition government. Neither side have found this easy and this falls into a wider shift in the Lib Dem's politics to the right. It's not an easy shift and one which may end up damaging the party at its core but one which has been on the cards for some time. Whether the Lib Dems will hold together is going to dictate how long this coalition lasts. From my perspective, their 'liberal' input to Tory politics is the sort of impact I want them to have and if today signals the start of the end of that alliance, then it is a shame. Coalition politics could be far more interesting and representative if we allow it to develop.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1836 @thisisdavid Always a problem. As is fact most camera shots are from behind police so students look like they 'attack' & not police charging
Twitter @thisisdavid 09/12/10 1832 @cjgrinbergs agreed that both sides have had time. But during the peak of the reporting it wasn't balanced.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1830 @thisisdavid But leaders of NUS & UCU given airtime + full interview with Simon Hughes last night. Balance is seen over days not minutes.
Twitter @thisisdavid 09/12/10 1829 @cjgrinbergs on the ground they were grabbing whoever. There was no parity.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1828 RT @jason_manc Ed Miliband wants it both ways. Condeming the HE changes but refuses to guarantee he'd reverse it. Pathetic, opportunist student politician.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1827 Interesting vote: 21 majority says worrying things about strength of coalition. what will happen on issues like voting reform? #tuitionfees
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1824 @thisisdavid But plenty against fees on the ground interviewed by BBC news this pm including very good interview with NUS vice pres.
Twitter @thisisdavid 09/12/10 1823 BBC news please spend as much time finding student voices as you have for the other side. No one against fees in studio yet.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1612 Just as the protests get hotter outside, so are things within the Lib Dems. Impact of the #tuitionfees vote getting worse.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1611 Lib Dem Resignation from Government: Mike Crockart to go. #tuitionfees
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1553 RT @journotutor Live blog of student #demo2010 from @JUS_news http://bit.ly/gCqn8i
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1545 RT @joshuwahwah Why would they charge the crowd with horses? This is only going to inflame the situation.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1543 Police horses charging students reminds me of Poll Tax riots. Not good publicity for protestors or government. #tuitionfees
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1541 RT @BBCLauraK Best current guess: 16 lib ministers vote yes, a few other b'benchers too, 15 or so vote against, leaving about 20 abstensions: a guess!
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1530 Reply Retweeted (Undo) Still on My Blog: Rolling information & analysis as we prepare for the #tuitionfees vote http://tinyurl.com/38d98v3
09/12/10 1230 So the day has arrived and the debate has got under way. I have a day full of meetings and business to cover but in the odd moment am catching up with what is happening out there.
Victoria station was once again filled with students - mainly of school age who are realising that they are the ones to be particularly hit by this. I am sure they are off to a protest and will join those already in universities and some academics.
From an internal point of view, all University of Westminster staff have received an email from the Vice Chancellor saying that the institution is personally campaigning as well as via Universities UK against the reforms and will continue to do so. He concludes:
Though the vote takes place this afternoon, I am sensing this may not be the end of the battle and there may be more battles to be won. 08/12/10 2230 Just back from lectures at Roehampton University and I have to admit that both there and at the University of Westminster, there is little evidence of protests. The tube had a few extra students on it and every meeting or session one attends, both academic and non-academic staff have it in their minds. Indeed, some academics have told me they intend to campaign tomorrow in Parliament Square - one of the benefits of a central London setting. That said, when in discussion with my own line manager, he reminded me that we really do not have to consider this as the end of the discussion on university funding: the issue of research and other funding has still to be resolved. Though this is the most important part of the news, we cannot forget that the funding for research is also decreasing by 36%.
There seems to have been a good 'discussion' (possibly a tad too generous a term) at both PMQs and a variety of venus outside Parliament. There seems to be some forgetful Labour politicians who said they would take on board the Browne Review. They are not in power so can make the grass look greener on their side. That said, I have just heard that the government is confident to win the vote (ITV news) as they are not calling the Environment Minister back from Switzerland to vote.
So, for all the political heat, a quieter day than some expected. I suspect that tomorrow will be a little busier.
08/12/10 1431 Just led session on research impact & funding: appropriate when we're talking about future of unis. #tuitionfees
08/12/10 1147 From 5live callers, Clegg not getting message over. Failure of communication rather than policy for government? #tuitionfees
08/12/10 1142 Just had a note round at work that Cable has confirmed that Part time students will get 25% funding, new students will need to repay when earning above £21,000 and existing students will pay from £15,000 but this will increase with inflation 2012-16. On one level seems a better situation for those affected but not sure that if this will relieve the fact that more will have to be paid back.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1141 Update at work - Cable: Part time students to get 25%, new students threshold £21k, existing £15k to increase with inflation
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1136 More students & police than usual at Victoria Station on commute. Off to #tuitionfees protest or preparing to flood tube?
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1134 My Blog: Rolling information & analysis as we prepare for the #tuitionfees vote http://tinyurl.com/38d98v3
08/12/10 1113 The UCU report on Universities at Dangeris interesting and a good read but I personally think that it misses out on certain aspects. The report examines the number of students from the Browne's 'favoured' and 'at threat' subject areas, the amount of income from the teaching grant and the number of non-EU international students. However, comprehensive though this number is, I think the report does not consider the financial situation of each of the institutions. Take Roehampton which was founded by three church organisations and therefore its finances are different to the mainstream. It's foundation basis mean that its financial calculations are different despite emphasis on the liberal arts. Also, the report does not examine the impact on the number of fee paying students and part-time students (which may go up with increased support).
Finally, it is unclear what level of debt the universities already have and what steps have already been undertaken by institutions to protect themselves in the cuts which is not surprising given this is a quantitative and not qualitative report. Certain universities have larger debts and less time, therefore, to address the current situation. Let's not get this wrong, we are looking at smaller universities (due to the research cuts as well as due to the changes in student funding) and a change in the emphasis of certain subjects get but this report does not show the entire story.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1109 Clegg says #tuitionfees situation not a crisis.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1105 Roehampton has backing of 3 churches which will affect how it goes forward & thus is not like others in UCU's risk list.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1103 Read UCU's Report http://alturl.com/2v2wz: interesting but not convinced by some of the analysis #tuitionfees
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 07/12/10 0953 Did Norman Baker et al really expect NOT to compromise on gov payroll? He should stop blackmail & resign. #libdems #tuitionfees
08/12/10 0937 Rolling Blog Live: Reading the UCU report and what it means.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1905 My Blog: What the #tuitionfees protests mean for social media & citizen journalism http://tinyurl.com/38d98v3
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1859 My Blog: Why I don't want this vote to spell the start of the end of coalition politics: http://tinyurl.com/38d98v3
09/12/10 1830 So the vote has taken place and there was a majority of 21 (323 for, 302 against) which is a reduced governmental majority from 84. Apparently 21 Lib Dems voted against. The policy has got through and so the university system can now start to move on and adjust to its new funding regime.
I think there are some issues that have been raised about the wider political and media fall outs from this.
Firstly, this has been one of the first protests organised and covered using social media (including blogs and tweets like this). Though the shots of police charges and demonstrators are reminiscent of the protests over Poll Tax and the numbers involved remind us of the Iraq protest, this protest is different. It is on a scale not seen for a while, a violence not seen for 20 years and organised using media that we didn't know exist. The issues of impartiality of the broadcasters (the BBC will come in for criticism again) will never go away but their role as a reporter of facts looks secure. However, as at the election, the use of social media & 'citizen journalism' to provide alternative comment & to 'rally the troops' is becoming more important, as seen today in the interactivity and organisation of the opposition to the tuition fees vote.
For the political, this is one of the first tests of coalition government. Neither side have found this easy and this falls into a wider shift in the Lib Dem's politics to the right. It's not an easy shift and one which may end up damaging the party at its core but one which has been on the cards for some time. Whether the Lib Dems will hold together is going to dictate how long this coalition lasts. From my perspective, their 'liberal' input to Tory politics is the sort of impact I want them to have and if today signals the start of the end of that alliance, then it is a shame. Coalition politics could be far more interesting and representative if we allow it to develop.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1836 @thisisdavid Always a problem. As is fact most camera shots are from behind police so students look like they 'attack' & not police charging
Twitter @thisisdavid 09/12/10 1832 @cjgrinbergs agreed that both sides have had time. But during the peak of the reporting it wasn't balanced.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1830 @thisisdavid But leaders of NUS & UCU given airtime + full interview with Simon Hughes last night. Balance is seen over days not minutes.
Twitter @thisisdavid 09/12/10 1829 @cjgrinbergs on the ground they were grabbing whoever. There was no parity.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1828 RT @jason_manc Ed Miliband wants it both ways. Condeming the HE changes but refuses to guarantee he'd reverse it. Pathetic, opportunist student politician.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1827 Interesting vote: 21 majority says worrying things about strength of coalition. what will happen on issues like voting reform? #tuitionfees
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1824 @thisisdavid But plenty against fees on the ground interviewed by BBC news this pm including very good interview with NUS vice pres.
Twitter @thisisdavid 09/12/10 1823 BBC news please spend as much time finding student voices as you have for the other side. No one against fees in studio yet.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1612 Just as the protests get hotter outside, so are things within the Lib Dems. Impact of the #tuitionfees vote getting worse.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1611 Lib Dem Resignation from Government: Mike Crockart to go. #tuitionfees
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1553 RT @journotutor Live blog of student #demo2010 from @JUS_news http://bit.ly/gCqn8i
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1545 RT @joshuwahwah Why would they charge the crowd with horses? This is only going to inflame the situation.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1543 Police horses charging students reminds me of Poll Tax riots. Not good publicity for protestors or government. #tuitionfees
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1541 RT @BBCLauraK Best current guess: 16 lib ministers vote yes, a few other b'benchers too, 15 or so vote against, leaving about 20 abstensions: a guess!
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 09/12/10 1530 Reply Retweeted (Undo) Still on My Blog: Rolling information & analysis as we prepare for the #tuitionfees vote http://tinyurl.com/38d98v3
09/12/10 1230 So the day has arrived and the debate has got under way. I have a day full of meetings and business to cover but in the odd moment am catching up with what is happening out there.
Victoria station was once again filled with students - mainly of school age who are realising that they are the ones to be particularly hit by this. I am sure they are off to a protest and will join those already in universities and some academics.
From an internal point of view, all University of Westminster staff have received an email from the Vice Chancellor saying that the institution is personally campaigning as well as via Universities UK against the reforms and will continue to do so. He concludes:
We would go further and criticise the current Government for the imposition of the disproportionate Comprehensive Spending Review outcome for higher education. We will continue to argue for a rebalancing of the public-private contributions to HE that would have benefit for all students and all universities.
Though the vote takes place this afternoon, I am sensing this may not be the end of the battle and there may be more battles to be won. 08/12/10 2230 Just back from lectures at Roehampton University and I have to admit that both there and at the University of Westminster, there is little evidence of protests. The tube had a few extra students on it and every meeting or session one attends, both academic and non-academic staff have it in their minds. Indeed, some academics have told me they intend to campaign tomorrow in Parliament Square - one of the benefits of a central London setting. That said, when in discussion with my own line manager, he reminded me that we really do not have to consider this as the end of the discussion on university funding: the issue of research and other funding has still to be resolved. Though this is the most important part of the news, we cannot forget that the funding for research is also decreasing by 36%.
There seems to have been a good 'discussion' (possibly a tad too generous a term) at both PMQs and a variety of venus outside Parliament. There seems to be some forgetful Labour politicians who said they would take on board the Browne Review. They are not in power so can make the grass look greener on their side. That said, I have just heard that the government is confident to win the vote (ITV news) as they are not calling the Environment Minister back from Switzerland to vote.
So, for all the political heat, a quieter day than some expected. I suspect that tomorrow will be a little busier.
08/12/10 1431 Just led session on research impact & funding: appropriate when we're talking about future of unis. #tuitionfees
08/12/10 1147 From 5live callers, Clegg not getting message over. Failure of communication rather than policy for government? #tuitionfees
08/12/10 1142 Just had a note round at work that Cable has confirmed that Part time students will get 25% funding, new students will need to repay when earning above £21,000 and existing students will pay from £15,000 but this will increase with inflation 2012-16. On one level seems a better situation for those affected but not sure that if this will relieve the fact that more will have to be paid back.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1141 Update at work - Cable: Part time students to get 25%, new students threshold £21k, existing £15k to increase with inflation
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1136 More students & police than usual at Victoria Station on commute. Off to #tuitionfees protest or preparing to flood tube?
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1134 My Blog: Rolling information & analysis as we prepare for the #tuitionfees vote http://tinyurl.com/38d98v3
08/12/10 1113 The UCU report on Universities at Dangeris interesting and a good read but I personally think that it misses out on certain aspects. The report examines the number of students from the Browne's 'favoured' and 'at threat' subject areas, the amount of income from the teaching grant and the number of non-EU international students. However, comprehensive though this number is, I think the report does not consider the financial situation of each of the institutions. Take Roehampton which was founded by three church organisations and therefore its finances are different to the mainstream. It's foundation basis mean that its financial calculations are different despite emphasis on the liberal arts. Also, the report does not examine the impact on the number of fee paying students and part-time students (which may go up with increased support).
Finally, it is unclear what level of debt the universities already have and what steps have already been undertaken by institutions to protect themselves in the cuts which is not surprising given this is a quantitative and not qualitative report. Certain universities have larger debts and less time, therefore, to address the current situation. Let's not get this wrong, we are looking at smaller universities (due to the research cuts as well as due to the changes in student funding) and a change in the emphasis of certain subjects get but this report does not show the entire story.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1109 Clegg says #tuitionfees situation not a crisis.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1105 Roehampton has backing of 3 churches which will affect how it goes forward & thus is not like others in UCU's risk list.
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 08/12/10 1103 Read UCU's Report http://alturl.com/2v2wz: interesting but not convinced by some of the analysis #tuitionfees
Twitter @cjgrinbergs 07/12/10 0953 Did Norman Baker et al really expect NOT to compromise on gov payroll? He should stop blackmail & resign. #libdems #tuitionfees
08/12/10 0937 Rolling Blog Live: Reading the UCU report and what it means.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Re-thinking Neo-Liberalism
Quick thought on train home: neo-liberalism's accused of giving everything an economic cost; if we talk of value doesn't that broaden things but remain within broad discourse? What impact does differentiating price and value have on neo-liberalism?
Monday, 22 November 2010
20 Years After Thatcher: The Real Legacy to Society
So it is 20 years today since Thatcher announced her resignation - and on Sunday it is the anniversary of her leaving Downing Street. It is one of the earliest political memories I remember: I was a child of Thatcher (born in 1983) and so the idea of having a female, conservative Prime Minister was all I knew so the day of her fall made quite a mark.
In many senses, the influence of her politics still hangs over the UK. Her style of politics along with the paradigm shift that occurred in economic and social life at the same time can still be seen. Many would argue that the current Conservative/Lib Dem administration and the New Labour movement showed many similarities with the Thatcher administration and ideology: driving for economic efficiency, an efficiency/target-based approach to services, a state that is responsive to needs but increasingly socially aware.
I've just finished (for the second time) Suzy Harris' "The Governance of Education: How neo-liberalism is transforming policy and practice" which examines the rise of neo-liberalism. The book is heavily critical of neo-liberalism as it was born out of the new-right agenda (which Thatcher and Reagan created); Harris argues that academics, politicians and, indeed, society as a whole should seek freedom from the neo-liberal project which reduces everything to economic arguments with "no space for intellectual and moral questions."
And this is one of the fundamental problems with the critiques of the conservative/neo-liberal model; many presume it is only the left that are morally aware and intellectually engaging with the troubles of the day. Many from the right would refute this. Thatcher may have argued that "society is dead" but in fact she was reflecting a change in our relationship with society. Her full interview discusses individuals supporting each-other (rather than the state) and this has, in some ways, developed into the 'big society' theme.
The Conservative Party have allowed those from the left (primarily labour) to take the social and moral high ground by not explaining their values. Tories often come across as slightly embarrassed; those in academia can feel crowded out but surely must exist in reasonable numbers. Those from the right lack the confidence to explain their position. So the (over?) confidence & policy cohesion of Thatcher has lead to a loss of identity & confidence in what the Tories now stand for.
The current conservative party (with the help of their Lib Dem colleagues) seem to be locating themselves in a form of conservatism which in addition to its economic values is also socially and morally responsible. This leads to a society:
- Where the individual is more capable of improving their lot than the state (though the state must nurture and support them).
- Where the state should equalise (though not redistribute) wealth.
- Where the individual knows how to better spend their money than the state (so when it is safe, lower taxation is good).
- Where the freedom of the individual is not over-ridden by the state protecting the individual.
- Where a market-approach to services (including higher education) is not a bad thing as competition forces everyone to improve their game and provide better services for all.
- Where Britain's world position is stronger by engaging with the other countries but not being dominated by them, including a fuller role within Europe.
- Where economic conservatism and social liberalism come together.
Fundamentally, this means a society which is equal for all, whatever their gender, age, race, income or sexuality and it is the role of every one (in partnership with government) to insist on this.
I have been criticised for some time (by both some left-leaning friends and my PhD tutor) for being trapped by the neo-liberal agenda; increasingly I realise that this 'agenda' is not one I am trapped within but one which I chose to believe in. Now, I know that I will not agree with every Tory policy or politician (just as I don't agree with every doctrine or clergy member of the church). But I am happy to associate myself with many of the under-pinning ideologies of the right. This needs to be reflected in my research in a reflective, value-centred way – in the same way that the entire conservative party message needs to be under-pinned by reflection & values.
So 20 years after Thatcher, rather than leaving economic-influenced approach to society and social division as her parting gift, perhaps her real legacy to politics should be seen as socially-focussed policy and starting the development of a new society.
In many senses, the influence of her politics still hangs over the UK. Her style of politics along with the paradigm shift that occurred in economic and social life at the same time can still be seen. Many would argue that the current Conservative/Lib Dem administration and the New Labour movement showed many similarities with the Thatcher administration and ideology: driving for economic efficiency, an efficiency/target-based approach to services, a state that is responsive to needs but increasingly socially aware.
I've just finished (for the second time) Suzy Harris' "The Governance of Education: How neo-liberalism is transforming policy and practice" which examines the rise of neo-liberalism. The book is heavily critical of neo-liberalism as it was born out of the new-right agenda (which Thatcher and Reagan created); Harris argues that academics, politicians and, indeed, society as a whole should seek freedom from the neo-liberal project which reduces everything to economic arguments with "no space for intellectual and moral questions."
And this is one of the fundamental problems with the critiques of the conservative/neo-liberal model; many presume it is only the left that are morally aware and intellectually engaging with the troubles of the day. Many from the right would refute this. Thatcher may have argued that "society is dead" but in fact she was reflecting a change in our relationship with society. Her full interview discusses individuals supporting each-other (rather than the state) and this has, in some ways, developed into the 'big society' theme.
The Conservative Party have allowed those from the left (primarily labour) to take the social and moral high ground by not explaining their values. Tories often come across as slightly embarrassed; those in academia can feel crowded out but surely must exist in reasonable numbers. Those from the right lack the confidence to explain their position. So the (over?) confidence & policy cohesion of Thatcher has lead to a loss of identity & confidence in what the Tories now stand for.
The current conservative party (with the help of their Lib Dem colleagues) seem to be locating themselves in a form of conservatism which in addition to its economic values is also socially and morally responsible. This leads to a society:
- Where the individual is more capable of improving their lot than the state (though the state must nurture and support them).
- Where the state should equalise (though not redistribute) wealth.
- Where the individual knows how to better spend their money than the state (so when it is safe, lower taxation is good).
- Where the freedom of the individual is not over-ridden by the state protecting the individual.
- Where a market-approach to services (including higher education) is not a bad thing as competition forces everyone to improve their game and provide better services for all.
- Where Britain's world position is stronger by engaging with the other countries but not being dominated by them, including a fuller role within Europe.
- Where economic conservatism and social liberalism come together.
Fundamentally, this means a society which is equal for all, whatever their gender, age, race, income or sexuality and it is the role of every one (in partnership with government) to insist on this.
I have been criticised for some time (by both some left-leaning friends and my PhD tutor) for being trapped by the neo-liberal agenda; increasingly I realise that this 'agenda' is not one I am trapped within but one which I chose to believe in. Now, I know that I will not agree with every Tory policy or politician (just as I don't agree with every doctrine or clergy member of the church). But I am happy to associate myself with many of the under-pinning ideologies of the right. This needs to be reflected in my research in a reflective, value-centred way – in the same way that the entire conservative party message needs to be under-pinned by reflection & values.
So 20 years after Thatcher, rather than leaving economic-influenced approach to society and social division as her parting gift, perhaps her real legacy to politics should be seen as socially-focussed policy and starting the development of a new society.
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