Revolutionaries, Radicles and Politics of the Outsider- What is Radical in the Political World?

With regards to unconventional political stances, the main aspect to consider is radical politicians and their views. Those with radical political views range from being in utter opposition to existing mainstream political system and state and seeking to hack away at it in any way possible, to regarding those in power as benevolent being compared to all other citizens. Although many members of the public believe that there is no extremism linked to modern politics and the State simply provides us with food, shelter and support, there has been a particularly noticeable build-up of alternative political views since the recession hit British shores back in 2008. As citizens have become more and more frustrated with politicians failing to meet acceptable standards of service, a more progressive and revolutionary approach to politics has been initiated.

From Ron Paul to Russell Brand- Present Political Revolutionaries

Ron Paul is a former American politician, as well as author and physician who attempted to revolutionise the American political system during his time as a Congressman in Texas, which came to an end earlier this year. He claimed that “…mainstream media is not telling the stories that Americans need to know” and that Western politics is whitewashed to protect the public from the painful truth of the world that we live in. Paul’s approach was to simply highlight the snags in mainstream politics for the public to be aware of and gain an opinion of, and then inevitably change the system as it currently stands so it actually carries out the purpose it was designed for- to provide the help that the public need for modern life.

Ron Paul

It is also important to note that politically-passionate individuals or groups do not necessarily have to be radical to make a radical change. For instance, Ron Paul’s radical hatred of the State has done more practically for the cause of liberty and freedom without ever crossing the slightly blurred boundaries between conventional and radical politics.

Even more recently, Comedian Russell Brand has been conducting recent political outbursts that lean towards fighting for more power and money for politicians to help the poor and neglected members of society. Although many may only consider the likes of Hitler and Stalin as revolutionaries, Brand has underlined the “insignificant” differences between current mainstream British political parties as the schemes they carry out are ineffective no matter whether they are left or right-wing associated. He also stated, “The only reason to vote is if the vote represents power or change. I don't think it does. I fervently believe that we deserve more from our democratic system than the few derisory tit-bits tossed from the carousel of the mighty, when they hop a few inches left or right.”

Brand also joined a million other protestors in the Million Mask March on the evening of 11^th November against financial cuts for the public, general corruption and increased surveillance. He was spotted sporting a Guy Fawkes mask. Hacktivist group Anonymous claimed the march in Whitehall and Trafalgar Square aimed to “…spark the movement back into action against the persecution of internet freedom”. In his recent Newsnight interview with Jeremy Paxman, Russell Brand claimed that the current political system is “broken” and stressed a revolutionary by the people was needed. The interview has over 9 million views on YouTube.

Russell Brand

Believe it or not, Che Guevara was a in fact, mass murdering Totalitarian Socialist who killed many black people, killed and banished many Jazz and Rock musicians because he did not enjoy those particular genres. However he still remains a symbol of pop culture for many within the Western world, most likely simply due to pure ignorance.

Anarchism, Capitalism and Communism

Anarchism is defined as “A doctrine urging the abolition of government or governmental restraint as the indispensable condition for full social and political liberty.” But the word anarchy itself simply means a lack of hierarchy. Two types of Political Anarchists are Anarco-Capitalists and Libertarians, which pretty much go hand-in-hand in terms of NAP (Non-aggression principles), held by those who follow these political systems.  These beliefs also suggest that aggressive tactics to gain more or overall political control are illegitimate as they are closely linked to people’s lives, property and liberty.

Economists such as Ludwig Von Mises, Robert P. Murphy and Murray Rothbard utterly despise the State and labelled those who are part of it as robbers, enslavers and murderers who take advantage of citizens through taxation, or even more extreme schemes such as illegal wars and executions to gain control over society. Yet the State is designed to provide a systematic, legal and orderly channel for people and their property, but Anarcho-Capitalists believe that services the state provide should benefit those who hold political power as well as the general public. Anarcho Communists however, hold the opinion that the abolition of Capitalism, wages and private property (while retaining respect for personal property) would help boost the current political methods in the West.

The line between what is conventional and therefore accepted by the general public is more blurred than many may think. Revolutionaries and radicals are more ordinary than they appear at first glance simply because there is very little extremism in middle-of-the-road Western politics. As many believe the current system is inoperative, a change in the democracy we know in Britain may just be inevitable.