Notes on a forward looking liberalism

There are many complaints and enemies of a conservative liberal political world view. Trump, Putin, Duterte, Xi Jinping, Nigel Farage, and Viktor Orban can all be mentioned as belonging on this list.

What can be seen straight away is that three types of people are on this list:
1. Politicians who are invested in business and military affairs, and want to challenge the dominance of Western countries. Especially in the case of China and Russia it is obvious that they perceive the dominance of the US and the EU not only an issue of economic and military competition, but also an ideological threat that might undermine their authoritarian rule.
2. Minor politicians who are trying to ride the waves and make some short term political (and probably monetary) profit from aligning with radicals and subversives who are disillusioned with the ruling parties. Farage in the UK and Orban in Hungary are typical examples of this. While Orban's government channels all EU funds directed at the development of Hungarian agriculture, business, and infrastructure into their own businesses and family properties, he is a devoted fan and ally of Putin. (Farage and Orban are obviously not interested in democracy. When they talk about national self-determination they are talking about the ability of local politicians and businessmen running the place. That's why both of them are afraid of the EU.)
3. Public figures who are nuts (like Trump), and people who see an obstacle in democratic processes to their own power (like Peter Thiel).

What should true liberals, who are conservative in the sense of sticking to the core ideas of liberalism (with a social stint) say? Well, what we need is a positive and forceful narrative. That is what liberalism is lacking at the moment. So much has been achieved in the last 60 years in Europe and the US: wealth, improvements in legal transparency, freedom of press, rights for everyone. The problem is that we don't have a good, politically charged story to move us forward.
Most of the mainstream liberal stories at the moment are extremely individualistic, and focus on improving the lived experiences of individuals in difficult positions in society (minorities, woman, homosexuals, and so on). This is perfectly fine, but it is also perfectly silent on how to relate to governments and corporations that are not afraid to use corrupting means and military threat to get their way, and which are or are becoming extremely powerful.

The key thing we need to keep in mind is that liberalism (a socially sensitive version keeping equality and individual freedom in focus) has to stand up for its values. One cannot support religious freedom, the freedom and equality of woman at the same time as recognizing the right to practice a religion that bans the freedom and equality of woman on the personal level. These are issues of core values and democratic, liberal societies need to step up and be on their guard not to get overwhelmed by nationalist right wing crazies, apostles of capitalism without boundaries, or authoritarian pumpkins like Trump or Putin.

Liberalist societies have plenty to defend. What we need is not nationalism reloaded, but a union of all those communities that are committed to freedom, electing our own leaders without corporate and military interference, to expressing our views and opinions freely, and to stick to the truth that countries which don't treat people right are wrong in their ways and need to change. This should apply to any country, no matter how mighty or economically powerful they are, be that Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, or Turkey.

Recognizing that there is something to lose, and there is something we need to defend is one of the key steps to relaunch a constructive liberalism that can also foster income equality, transparency, and equality among citizens, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, and so on.

In the North-Eastern tip of Japan

The Shiretoko Mountain range

Recently we made it to Hokkaido. We rented a car in Abashiri, and from there drove to the Shiretoko Peninsula. It was a proper trip in the wilderness: bears, deer, and foxes were at large in the forests, and in the sea seals and dolphins were swimming free. Hokkaido is one of those rare gems where more awaits you than what you would expect. Although we were on the move continuously for five days it was more relaxing than anything I did in the last years in a town or city.

Shen Congwen's 'Border Town'

Shen Congwen's book Border Town is hard to pin down as a foreign reader who is mostly comfortable with Western literature. The book itself seems to echo some trends in 18th century European continental literature which idealized and depicted peasants patronizingly as 'simple folks who have a good heart'. Congwen's book is similar in that it ignores all social, political, economic or military dimensions of the story told.
Still, this seems to be a conscious and deliberate decision of the author, and done so that the main focus remains strictly on a simple and straightforward story of growing up, losing the ones we love, and experiencing longing and romantic love for the first time.
The book is excellent on this psychological level. It doesn't dive deep into the personal, consciously experienced thoughts and emotions of the characters, but it does highlight some of their main worries and thoughts, and gives the reader a good sense of how they feel and think by talking about their behaviour.
Cuicui and her grandpa offer a touching and sad pair, but one that is not heartbreaking: we all have to go through similar things in our lives, as we are all more or less powerless in the face of loss, passion, growing up. Cuicui is confused about the changes in herself, her grandfathers' behaviour towards her, and her feelings. And her grandfather despairs over how to secure the future happiness of his beloved and treasured granddaughter.
The grandpa departs during a very symbolic storm followed by a flood. The elements cannot be stopped, just as the old man's life cannot be extended forever. Nature has no respect and patience for the personal troubles of the pair. At the end of the novel Cuicui stands alone in life, and her supportive and caring community tries to nudge her towards growing up. Unable to move on quickly after her grandfather's loss she stays put, and with the assistance of an old friend of her grandfather's she continues to live in the same way as before. The fact that life cannot be easily controlled seems only to strengthen her attachment to what she holds dear - the way of life and place that she loved.

Donations for Macmillan Cancer Support

It's that time of the year again: I'm running the Oxford Half Marathon. This year I'm collecting donations for Macmillan Cancer Support.

See my donation page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Istvan-Zoltan-Zardai

If you happen to have a spare coin please donate. Every donation is appreciated!

Macmillan are doing a lot of good work for people with cancer, and they are also supporting their families through what is undoubtedly some of the hardest periods of their lives.

It is a service that can make a huge difference to anyone's life. As nowadays there is a very high percentage (above 45% percent for most of us) that one gets cancer, this is vital. It is these sort of community solutions to problems that we need to foster and maintain. The government can't do everything and we need to get together as a large community of people caring for each other.

New tutoring website

My new website advertising my tutorial, mentoring, and consulting services is up and running.

Check it out here!

Why low salaries, low taxes on the rich, and sitting on one's money isn't good for the economy

Inequality is bad for the economy. When masses of people don’t have money they can’t spend it on goods and services, and therefore there is no consumption. The concentration of wealth in the hands of a few families is harmful for everyone in society. No matter how rich someone is, they can only buy so many cars, and dine at so many luxury restaurants. Their spending will be minuscule compared to the spending of thousands, or millions of people. Companies and businesses can't grow, competition just gets fiercer the way  things are now, which will lead to even more companies failing. If we want more growth and more social justice, as well as political stability, we need to have higher taxes on the rich and the biggest corporations, and raise wages. Simple as that.