Wednesday, May 31, 2006

The Euston Manifesto

The Euston Manifesto

Norman Geras found me very early in his blogging life, and I had no idea who he was. Yet for some reason I tried to be as helpful to him as I could, and three years ago normblog was launched. After a bit, as he put up some posts and I had a chance to read his bio I realized that, contrary to my earlier apprehension, he turned out to be something of a prominent guy in Britain, and a Socialist at that. But I stuck with him, and he has turned out to be that rare bird: a leftie with his brain plugged in. He is unwilling to side with the fascist imperialists, even if George Bush is leading the opposition. I am sure that this stance has caused him no small measure of grief.

Now he has done something about that, with the Euston Manifesto. This document is, like any self-respecting manifesto, a statement of principles. What is amazing is that there is nothing within it with which a Zero Base Thinker could disagree. All fifteen principles are reasonable, with respect for human rights but with the respect due to power, and an eye toward balancing the two.

I shall refrain from quoting the best bits, but imstead urge you to click on over and read it. It is not too long, and it will not get you mad. I promise.