THE WYKEHAMIST
Cloister Time 2017
No 1475
EDITORS Index
Henry Beddow (B)
Henry Bertlin (I)
Sebastian Byers (I)
Matthew Chapman (E)
Henry Grandage (G)
Linden Grigg (F)
Alexander Ind (H)
Omar Lingemann (A)
Edward McMillan (Coll)
Safi Riaz (K)
Thomas Stewart-Smith (A)
Ned Whitley (D)
Luke Williams (B) Editorial
Feature Article
Music
Theatre
Art & Exhibitions
Sport
Home and Away
Ave Atque Vale
The Register
║EDITORIAL system - as it fluctuates between cycles of
prosperity and recession. However, as
observed by the journalist Paul Mason, with
every recession, the debt increases and no
period of economic prosperity can cover the
mounting debt. When, in response to a crisis,
periods of austerity are introduced, they shrink
the welfare state and in this way, provisions
previously made for the poor must be
abandoned. Britain is only just recovering
from the last major economic recession of
2008 and, in the recovery process, spending on
the welfare state has decreased. The instability
of capitalism is exacerbated by the large risks
taken by capitalists to increase profits. The
aftermath of these risks is disrupted prices and
unemployment.
The resurgence of the left in the UK and
why Marx may still matter
Safi Riaz (K)
Since the premiership of Thatcher, British
capitalism has been structured along neo-
liberal lines. Neo-liberalism is a strand of
thought seeking the revival of the 19th-century
model of capitalism. With the resurgence of
19th-century views on capitalism, critics from
the time once again enter the limelight. One
such critic is Karl Marx. The poorly planned
economies and cruel dictatorships based on his
economic and political ideas have left many
justifiably critical of Marxism. However,
instead of viewing Marx as providing solutions
to the problems of capitalism, we should view
his criticisms as insights that can help to
change the system to which we subscribe.
It is possible to see similarities in the
“problems” faced by modern Britain and the
issues Marx observed of capitalism. Marx
recognised that capitalism is an unstable
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Secondly, Marx talked of the insecurity and
“alienated” nature of modern work. He
believed work could be a source of joy and
pride, allowing workers to externalise their
ambition and talent. The specialisation of
modern jobs has made it difficult for workers
to express themselves through their work. This
problem is not limited to Britain but is one
faced by all advanced, industrialised nations.
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