I’ve criticised “Third Way” politics on a number of occasions for its illiberalism, and in particular argued that Tony Blair’s Labour Party demonstrates in spades the moral authoritarianism that communitarianism often is prey to. Not much time has been wasted since the UK election in proving the point that this illiberalism goes beyond questions of civil liberties and terrorism:
Teenage yobs are to be forced to wear US-style uniforms as they carry out community service punishments under plans for a new high-visibility crackdown on public disorder.
The move, echoing American chain gangs whose members wear orange jackets to shame them publicly, will be highly controversial and could risk reprisals.
But Home Office minister Hazel Blears argues justice must be seen to be done in the battle against what the government calls a ‘culture of disrespect’ – ranging from swearing, spitting and neglectful parenting to petty crime and violence.
In her first interview as the new minister for antisocial behaviour, Blears also suggested parents should enforce sensible bedtimes for children and restore ‘structure’ to family life, such as eating meals together. They should also be alert to what children wear following debate over teenagers wearing ‘hoodies’ to avoid CCTV identification.
‘People feel very strongly that they don’t often see justice being done,’ she said.
‘[When] people get fixed penalty notices I would like to see a very quick connection to community punishment, that people see being done. I want them to be identified.’
She did not want offenders ‘breaking rocks’ in chain gangs – one successful scheme in her Salford constituency involved youths forced to make floral hanging baskets – but visibly doing something useful.
Elsewhere: More over at Alert & Alarmed.
Do they really have a Minister for AntiSocial Behaviour? And does antisocial behaviour include telling lies to the electorate? (Surely one of the most egregious examples of the “culture of disrespect”)
I look forward to seeing Blair in his US-style uniform while he makes floral hanging baskets.
Do they really have a Minister for AntiSocial Behaviour? And does antisocial behaviour include telling lies to the electorate? (Surely one of the most egregious examples of the “culture of disrespect”)
I look forward to seeing Blair in his US-style uniform while he makes floral hanging baskets.
Come on, Mark, public punishment for purposes of shame and community ridicule in Britain is as old as, well, I hate to use the word, but as old as civilisation. People have been shamed in public for many thousands of years on those cold little islands. They just don’t do it with hangings, or stocks and beatings any more, thank goodness.
Don’t you think the government is buying into a tradition of disciplinarianism a little bit older than the so-called Third-Way?
Come on, Mark, public punishment for purposes of shame and community ridicule in Britain is as old as, well, I hate to use the word, but as old as civilisation. People have been shamed in public for many thousands of years on those cold little islands. They just don’t do it with hangings, or stocks and beatings any more, thank goodness.
Don’t you think the government is buying into a tradition of disciplinarianism a little bit older than the so-called Third-Way?
No doubt, Liam, but why are they reviving it – and in this way? The nuances are important.
No doubt, Liam, but why are they reviving it – and in this way? The nuances are important.
Public discipline’s an important reflection of the values a community would like to see instilled in themselves. It’s not about the disciplined, it’s more about the people doing the disciplining, and most importantly the people watching. Orange suits and rock-painting aren’t about changing behaviour, they’re about setting an example pour encourager les autres. Mmmm, puts me in mind to go back reading Foucault again.
As to the victims? Well, everyone hates the teenagers, and everyone knows that they’re going to be depressed anyway. Until 16 year-olds have the vote, they’re doomed.
Public discipline’s an important reflection of the values a community would like to see instilled in themselves. It’s not about the disciplined, it’s more about the people doing the disciplining, and most importantly the people watching. Orange suits and rock-painting aren’t about changing behaviour, they’re about setting an example pour encourager les autres. Mmmm, puts me in mind to go back reading Foucault again.
As to the victims? Well, everyone hates the teenagers, and everyone knows that they’re going to be depressed anyway. Until 16 year-olds have the vote, they’re doomed.
Early Modern Notes has a historical comparison on uniforms and discipline:
http://www.earlymodernweb.org.uk/emn/index.php/archives/2005/05/convicts-in-uniforms/
Hanging’s not good enough for ‘em.
Early Modern Notes has a historical comparison on uniforms and discipline:
http://www.earlymodernweb.org.uk/emn/index.php/archives/2005/05/convicts-in-uniforms/
Hanging’s not good enough for ‘em.
‘People feel very strongly that they don?Äôt often see justice being done,?Äô she said.
Yeah, but is justice actually _being_ done? There is a world of difference between ‘seeing justice being done’ and ‘justice actually being done’.
This is nothing but pandering to public fickleness. Sure, it makes people feel better, but if it doesn’t actually fix the problems then it is a waste of time at best; counterproductive at worst.
It’s a cynical finger-pointing exercise. Yes, they have broken the law, but that doesn’t mean they should be advertisments for a public placebo-like excercise in alleviating fear in ignorant people. They are a convenient visible distraction who can’t fight back against a government counjuring trick.
‘People feel very strongly that they don?Äôt often see justice being done,?Äô she said.
Yeah, but is justice actually _being_ done? There is a world of difference between ‘seeing justice being done’ and ‘justice actually being done’.
This is nothing but pandering to public fickleness. Sure, it makes people feel better, but if it doesn’t actually fix the problems then it is a waste of time at best; counterproductive at worst.
It’s a cynical finger-pointing exercise. Yes, they have broken the law, but that doesn’t mean they should be advertisments for a public placebo-like excercise in alleviating fear in ignorant people. They are a convenient visible distraction who can’t fight back against a government counjuring trick.