RSA Animate - The Economic Consequences of Mr Brown

[alexdimartino]

Brilliant analysis. I'm afraid Mr. Cameron is falling in the same trap, with an even stricter centralisation...

[ukchill1]

nigga plz

[TheRosa63]

question. could the failure be because they simply didn't want to address the real causes because they are protecting the monopoly power/money/market of a few over the many? to solve poverty you would have to help a country develope, not give chairty, teach them to fish give them the resources to do so and be self sustaining. the same way usa became prosperous property rights and freedom from gov interference into starting business without incorp or having a license or permit.

[TheForwardGaze]

If our limited democracies fail, as did Germany's and Italy's 80 years ago, they'll be replaced with bottom-up, inclusive democracy, or perhaps fascism. I don't know what 21st century fascism will look like, but it probably won't be much fun.

[ElectricCelt56]

The Guardian brought me here, and I'm impressed. Ralston Saul goes on about the same theme- an overdue return to real democracy. Very timely, actually.

[danielbsmith]

I like the voucher idea except it would create a generation of dumpster-diving politicians.

[autumnreign86]

Really like the political funding idea, makes more sense to give funding rather than voting for one party to rule. In this way people regain control of their government and have stronger incentives to ensure the money was used properly for the public

[Emzo99]

This is a load of bullshit

[DemiSurah93]

He's got the right idea about political funding reform!!!!!

[nebraskastatepatriot]

Margaret Thatcher was right. God Bless her!

[leviofoley]

If only the U.S. would reform campaign funding

[agriope23]

Always Thatcher... And it the US it's always Reagan. Those people really had a grand old time!

[bodywood]

For a start halfway between to opposing end points is not nothing it is neutral. Your presentation has a specific negative agenda which is very unhelpful. The labour government did a lot of good with the tools it had, I think it did lose it's way but by that time there were deep set issues. The agenda the labour gov started with did not anticipate a war it could no afford. If you think labour were bad stand back and watch the conservatives really screw things up. I believe in society and decent

[KidOmniMan]

Here in Canada, our Conservative Prime Minister is planning to get rid of the public subsidy of 2 dollars per vote for political parties if he gets a majority in the upcoming election that was called after his government was found in contempt of Parliament.

[raisinsunn]

something wrong with the picture this time :((

[beandelechalwa]

1scot4scotland - I think it would be a terrible shame to relinquish the cultural ties that link England, Scotland and Wales - lets face it almost everyone in the population now has ancestry from every part of the UK.

we do absolutely however need a codified constitution that devolves and recognises the cultural differences not just between Scotland and England for example but between London and the rest of England. It must however be on an equal basis - unlike the current devolution deal.

[beandelechalwa]

1scot4scotland - i think it would be a terrible shame to relinquish the cultural ties that link england scotland and wales - lets face it almost everyone in the population now has ancestory from every part of the uk.

we do absolutley however need a codified constitution that devolves and recognises the cultural differences not just between scotland and england for exmaple but between london and the rest of england. it must however be on an equal basis - unlike the current devolutin deal

[CrazyShakaZulu]

Since when has Britain had a constitution???

[OtherAlex]

@CrazyShakaZulu It doesn't, we and Israel are the only two nations on earth who don't have a constitution.

[Coocey]

@OtherAlex Well, while we don't have a written constitution we do technically have one which is a collection of statutes and conventions. It's more 'organic' so it's constantly changing and evolving unlike a written one which is very firm and entrenched. But essentially we do have a constitution, although it may appear to the contrary.

[TheAmeliaAirhead]

True, the stronger the central government, the more ineffective it is. Arrogance in the belief that their one-size-fits-all solutions are appropriate everywhere. Also true, if they're funded by other than the public, then they aren't working for the public - a now dramatic plague in our governments, not operating in the public's best interest.

[kokopelli314]

Parallels to the Canadian federal government are sadly apparent.

[KevTheImpaler]

The term "child poverty" always annoys me. You'd think it would refer to malnourished Biafrans with extended bellies or Dickensian children living in workhouses with no shoes on their feet. Instead it's a bit of sociological jargon refering to children whose parents have to live on less than 60% of the median income. There's bound to be child poverty with that definition.

I agree with the reform to party funding.

[TheAmeliaAirhead]

@KevTheImpaler Yes, I just had this same conversation while visiting someone in India. There seems to be no objective definition of poverty.  I would think it would be defined by food, shelter, clothing and medical needs being met. But instead, it ranges from not able to afford an annual trip to Disney to starvation.

[swecc44]

The worst aspect (coming from a medical student) of British society is the idolisation of "ethical" institutions such as the NHS. Why are we ring-fencing the budget of that which takes up such a huge percentage of national spending?... seems far too familiar to solve these problems with financial solutions again.

Oh yeah and we should reform the national seat of power and all that jazz... maybe find a more suitable position on the spectrum between anarchy and "democracy"

[steve66oh]

Prof. Ringen - please consult a prof. of physics anywhere, ask them to describe a Stirling engine operating in (or near) a Carnot cycle. (ask them what's special about the Carnot cycle..) THEN - after they describe the Stirling obtaining work from thermal energy passing thru it from a hi-temp reservoir to a low-temp res.- ask them what happens when the reservoirs achieve EQUALITY of temperature.... If humanity ever achieves equality, nobody will need anybody else. INequality powers society!

[swecc44]

@steve66oh Whilst an interesting notion, ultimately independence of individuals from each other is a good thing. It does not necessarily (though granted possibly) constitute the break down of society for the worse...

... or at least that's what I think anyway :D

[Caprylate]

Need to get a HD copy of this uploaded!

[MrDespo3]

This is far too generic. the constitution is wrong in terms of centralisation, agreed. However whichever government in power already has the BIGGEST problem, that inherent in that institutions HAVE to operate on a two tier system. Private and public. The hugest critique of this is in the oversight that the NHS was over funded, and the British school funding has payed dividends. This is RIDICULOUS! (faith schools/private funding is the HEART of inequality & LEADS to geo-post code 'lottery'.

[lmjhoney]

Our political system has totally failed us.

A jury System Parliament seems to be a better way all round.

Very effective and empowered local government must start at a street to street level.

Political parties and lobbyists skew politics toward powerful and narrow interests so ban parties and deal only with issues and ideas.

[lmjhoney]

A jury System Parliament seems to be a better way all round.

Very effective and empowered local government must start at a street to street level.

Political parties and lobbyists skew politics toward powerful and narrow interests so ban parties and deal only with issues and ideas.

[FishyMoe]

i think that this is an efficient way of learning! especially for me as i am a visual learner. this also combines artistic abilities. i think artists get it hard in term of work, if we implemented such learning techniques to schools you could employ more artists.

[jlduge]

Broad statements and conclusions with little or no reasoning. Pretty shallow stuff

[Helionaeic]

Well, call me ole fashioned but I don't think a virtuous, prosperous, and peaceful society can be engineered from the top down, nor by the mob rule of voting, but only when each person is unshackled from compulsion is he able to live an enlightened, purposeful existence where he may have the choice between his selfish and social needs.

[mrszrts]

Inceffecient arguments and solutions my dear professor. Re- investigate

[Nateb123]

@mrszrts Agreed. The professor's arguments are shallow with little reason backing them up.

[purplesnails22]

First one I don't agree with for a few reasons.

[BizWiz2000]

the level of crime decreasing is a failure? is that what i saw?

[csmain]

Im sorry but this story is bias at best labour has done a fantastic job over the past 10 years yea they did mess up times but what you have said makes it sound they where a total failure when they more or less have done a really good job.

[csvtom]

@csmain But the fault is not really Labour but the system now stinks. Smaller parties have great ideas, big parties steal them and then fail to implement them with much success. The system is non democratic and Ringen's point about centralisation is correct. The grey parties don't even represent ideas anymore, and live in each other's pockets. We vote for our opinions to make no difference and bring people into power who are more interested in personal dialogues with their chums in London.

[littlegrubber]

I can't say that was very persuasive. Its easy to sit on a academic perch and critique what has been. The solutions presented at the end are generic and would have zero effect as far as I can see except decentralization (which the tory's are looking at). The biggest problem is the entitlement mentality that has crept into our society, make healthy adults work (voluntary etc) for their benefits and will turn the liabilities back into the assets this country needs.

[shananagans5]

The main problem is no gov can meet the peoples needs as well as the people can.

[Guncriminal]

Too much presuppositionalism and too many poorly defined terms in this video. Equality is impossible without a totalitarian government. Gordon didn't fail at creating the latter.

[trleith]

Central vs. Local is one of the great fault lines in US politics. Interesting to hear the same debate is going on in the UK. The voucher thing can't work in the USA and I'm not sure it is such a good idea for my cousins across the sea either. Better I think to reform the laws concerning corporations and ban them or their trade associations from "political speech". They'll game the system though.

[1scot4scotland]

@thRSAorg

The constitution is the Top issue in British politics even higher than the deficit. I have a deeper conclusion for you .The UK is not fit for purpose and what Mr Brown did was manage to keep the UK alive or at least look like it was alive . Then "the gods" put one more nail in the constitutional coffin, as we in Scotland know all to well .

We ( Scotland, England and Wales ) " face many challenges and have gigantic social issues, centralisation is not the answer. Independence is.

[maosef]

@1scot4scotland I don't necessarily agree with you on independence, Scotland is heavily devolved and has a very capable and active unicameral parliament that has power over all domestic and social policy.

What is the incentive for independence, we are as equally represented in parliament as any other British citizen in issues such as foreign relations and defense, both of which I would argue benefit from having more weight than less.

[1scot4scotland]

@maosef

We might have to agree to disagree on that. As for equal representation in the British parliament, well I think it's far from equal and many both north and south of the border would strongly agree. The UK's corrupt economic,social, political, constitutional and foreign affairs systems have utterly failed. I believe in Scottish Independence and I do not hide that fact, but it has to be a gradual and peaceful process. That process has already begun and will be near impossible to stop.

[maosef]

@1scot4scotland The process has not begun nor is there a foreseeable future of it being done. Without a majority in the Scottish parliament the SNP will not be capable of calling a referendum. Even if they did have a majority it would still be extremely difficult as Westminster has sovereignty over the Scottish parliament and the right to abolish it. All of the main UK parties are unionist and I doubt would allow independence.

[1scot4scotland]

@maosef

I'm sorry but the process has indeed begun (read the gavin macrone report). In the 1970's Scotland had a referendum on devolution and the majority voted yes, but Westminster said it wasn't "enough of a majority". They did that because they knew (and I quote) " devolution must be delayed for as long as possible because it will eventually lead to Independence". The report was released under an FOI request, the report was marked top secret and buried for 30 years it was explosive material.

[1scot4scotland]

@maosef

Many "unionist" MPs and MSPs can see the benefits, particularly those who only want a quick solution for smaller issues for their fellow constituent (patchwork politics). Unfortunately, party politics (and the fact that if they spoke out they'd be kicked out-with no job and no money and possibly publicly ridiculed) "get in the way" OF what they see as a populist or "safe" party. It takes courage to speak outside the party lines (thats always a headliner). Monarchs draw those lines.

[maosef]

@1scot4scotland I agree with you on the element of moving governance closer to people that it effects; as it stands it seems like Downing street has became the 17th century palace of Versailles, far too centralized.

David Cameron's big society whilst being a good idea, is going to fail, or more likely not even start. Most people in Britain don't care, they get their political leanings from tabloid newspapers and avoid topics of politics, and why should they? There is a huge democratic deficit

[mrmendicantbias]

@1scot4scotland Sir, you are juxtaposing two entirely separate issues and masquerading the ramifications of one as justification for your solution to the other. The issue at hand is not the independence of Scotland (as if you give two shakes of a stick for Wales), it is about the social reform of an existing nation, and that is the United Kingdom. I fail to see how separating the constituent regions will solve a problem that exist in all three.

[1scot4scotland]

@mrmendicantbias

I'm not "juxtaposing" two different issues. With independence Scotland will no longer have to accept decisions being made on our behalf from a Government and constitutional system that has plainly failed. With independence or greater de-centralisation all constituent countries will better manage and overcome the social challenges we all face. The fact is: Independence is happening, the process has already begun. It's now only a matter of time.

[mrmendicantbias]

@1scot4scotland You most certainly are, sir, and no amount of empty protestation to the contrary will avail you. The independence of Scotland would be economically ruinous to it and is only desirable to those few whose indignation at unity divides them from their sense. You may comfort yourself that your pitiful agenda is carried to its culmination on wings of velvet, but what you decide is fact, appears to me as nothing more than fanciful fiction.

[1scot4scotland]

@mrmendicantbias

This coming from someone who thinks Scotland and England are "constituent regions". Anyway, I thought we were talking about social change? Seems it may be you who is "juxtaposing".

Your arrogance is nothing more than a manifestation of your ignorance. Your ignorance is a symptom of laziness, combined they show me a small and selfish mind. You may defend a false sense of unity, but who's interests are you really defending? Your own? I think not.

[mrmendicantbias]

@1scot4scotland And what is it exactly that you find objectionable to the terms, sir? Pardon me, but it is an unprofitable business to discuss politically correct labels with an aggravated, indignant Scottish separatist. Semantics aside, your ad hominem attacks do nothing to further you argument, which is, when last I checked, "You are ignorant and I am right".

And what exactly is the meaning of your closing sentences? You appear to accuse me of protectionism, then dismiss the notion entirely.

[1scot4scotland]

@mrmendicantbias

It's clear that what I've said eludes your intellectual forces, try reading it again.

Lets not pretend you have a shred of dignity or in this exchange, decency. Your act is somewhat contradictory as it was you that challenged my view while offering nothing more than uninspiring dribble. Your use of language in this unsavoury exchange is that of a man who read the book of life but never lived it.

Try again, but this time be more natural than a plastic ballpoint pen .

[mrmendicantbias]

@1scot4scotland As much as I delight in being insulted by cowards who erupt only from their computer desks, upon persons whom they shall never meet, I am terminating this discourse. I have no interest in debating the issue on Youtube, of all places, especially with somebody so patently beyond the reach of reason as yourself. You ignored my suggestion that an independent Scotland would be a financially debilitated one, but then that is to be expected from a separatist. This exchange is over.

[1scot4scotland]

@mrmendicantbias

Yet more dribble. Where's your facts and figures that say Scotland would be financially debilitated after Independence?

That is utter nonsense and as I said before: Your arrogance is nothing more than a manifestation of your ignorance. Your ignorance is a symptom of laziness. You are too dam lazy to check the facts. You offer opinion as fact, but the truth is you know very little about this subject. I could trump your opinion with facts, but why should I? Best leave now

[SlipperyPedo]

@1scot4scotland if scotland was to become idependent it would be good for both the uk and scotland. The uk would save billions on not having to provide free student fee's in scotland, and scotland would not have to put up with inefficent london based pollicies.

[ampersandtay]

With advice and comments like that, we can forgive them the four goals!

I really like the idea of vouchers to give to the party of choice "or throw away".

[aizik2005]

hm, but did people will( or desired) to meet new "standards", "ideas", or "policies"?

[mateusqg1]

Obama- Get Done What You Are Sent Here To DO !

In Britain - Constitution Is Such Tha No Governement Cant Get Done What It Sent Here To Do.

No Brasil - Do, They ? They Take And Ate The Cake !

[TheJoshJman]

so....does that mean Obama will fail, or restoring the U.S. cannot be done inevitably because thus far, Government/constitution is losing purpose and there is a smarter way???

[tangentcausality]

@TheJoshJman This was about Britain. The Obama quote was really just a rhetorical device. He made no claims about the U.S.'s viability nor did he claim that government and/or constitutions are bad ideas, just that Britain's needs reform.

[anthonyww713]

@TheJoshJman The consitution is almost invalid.. When we lost contorl of our own money in 1913 is when the authority of the people of maerica was 1st underminded with the forced econimic problems that followed. Socalism was introduced thro the new deal and had been slowly push ever since. Now as it stand the president has more authority than congress and can declare martial law and become a dictator with no resolution to give up power or approval by congress

[menderfire9]

Wonderful presentation. Can I hire this guy to make charts for me?

[retrogradeorbit]

So its stated that they are competent, but then goes on to detail their obvious mistakes. Isn't that incompetence? Competence is more than just a belief that you know what you are doing. It's actually knowing, which from his very talk seems not to be the case.

[etzel33]

I absolutely love the voter voucher idea. Brilliant solution.

[shinunotenshi]

By far not as good as other RSA presentations. He makes many statements without any facts to sustain them. Subject is still very interesting though, could have been used better.

[buttonzluver]

I feel it is due to a surpression of our empathetic nature and drive to want to do well via seclusion and isolation ie removing comunity "spirit" that we can not suceed as one person can not change anything really but many people have the same goals so joint efforts would be far more successful

[MOEZEE12]

Power and love is and will always be at war in all areas of life. What is the answer? I know.

[clumma]

Great talk. You have the same problems with governance that we have in the States, only moreso. But in both cases I'm afraid these problems reflect an underlying failure of people to work together at the most basic level, and that exogenous changes in government organization will be of limited benefit. It seems all social institutions, not just government, have failed to meet the pace of technological change in the postwar era. The political funding vouchers are a good idea though.