A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the country at which humanity is always landing. And when humanity lands there, it looks out and, seeing a better country, sets sail. Progress is the realisation of Utopias." So wrote Oscar Wilde in his essay, The Soul of Man Under Socialism. It may have escaped your notice, but socialism is dead. Anarchism, communism, radical liberalism, all the theories of the left are pretty much dead too. We live in the most backward democracy in the Western world. We live in a country where proportional representation is seen as part of a so-called radical agenda. I find that somewhat worrying. We need visionaries. At any moment in time, visionaries are ridiculed, of course, but we need them nonetheless. Their opponents often present very logical and seemingly persuasive arguments. But the left-wing has the weight of time at its side, each generation of moderates trapped by its own short-term viewpoint. Radical ideas have been dismissed and believed as unworkable, as dangerous, even as illusions. Illusions like representative government, the welfare state and universal education. Dangers like racial equality, women’s rights and the end of slavery. Are you getting the idea, now? It is all very well to say that society will not absorb radical change. Of course it won’t - that is the point. If you want to abolish slavery, then the economy must change. If you are going to promote gay rights, then prejudices must change. If you are aiming for more equality, then society must change. Stability stifles progress, preserves injustice and is defended by self-interest. I see no reason to respect that kind of balance. Even if visionaries achieve nothing - and in a lot of systems they do not or cannot, even on a limited scale - their dreams are far from wasted, for they provide the future. That’s why I particulatly fear the death of Socialism and Radical Liberalism in this country, because without the idealists, there can be no ideals to chase after. I share Oscar Wilde’s assertion that a world without ideals is not a world worth living in. If you don’t think things can get any better, then that’s fair enough. Just keep going and remember not to open your eyes on the way. But maybe some of you are willing to change the world. Maybe some of you have the vision to provide the future - and, trust me, the future will not belong to the moderates of today. Maybe some of you are willing to dream. You’ll be in exalted company - Rousseau, George Washington, Thomas Paine, Karl Marx, John Bright, Nye Bevin and more writers and artists than I could number here. Just don’t expect to be in a majority. Don’t expect successes. However, I see in the failure of dreamers more inspiration than in the entire history of narrow-minded so-called achievements. It takes a lot of courage to put your faith with humanity and ideals and not the ambition and power of individuals. I invite you to take that risk and let history prove you someone with vision. Excuse me, I’m off to find a better country.

Thanks for that, Chris. If you agree with him, a)tell me why, b)tell him why (link at top), c)visit his page (link at top). If you don't, do exactly the same thing.

Please re-visit shortly; for shortly my response to this will be posted here. Which I know you're all dying to read.

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