Positive Politics is Joel Lazarus and Neil Howard
Joel Lazarus
Hi! My name is Joel. I’m 35 and live in Oxford, UK.
I set up this site to try to make a small contribution to a growing popular movement for real social, economic, and political change in the UK and far beyond.
I do not believe that capitalism serves the best interest of humanity. It has been the driver of developmental and technological progress, but also of environmental degradation, slavery, imperialism, war, poverty, and inequality.
I think we need a new system right now. I don’t have the perfect vision for this new society, but I do believe that between us all, working together in communal co-operation, rather than against each other in capitalist competition, we can work it out. Consequently, I describe myself as a true democrat and a socialist.
I believe that it is possible to resist and end patriarchal capitalism and to begin to build a new democratic alternative. As the poet Shelley famously said, ‘we are many, they are few’.
Neil Howard
Hello there! I’m Neil, I’m 30 and I also live in Oxford, where I research, teach and try as best I can to upset the apple-cart of power and injustice by getting others to think and work with me towards a fairer, better world.
Like Joel, I also think we need a new system. The one we have is undemocratic, unsustainable and unjust. I don’t know what the alternative should look like. But I do know two things. First, we need to believe that change is possible if we want to see it happen. Second, no matter what goes on around us, we need to be that change in the here and now. This means refusing to listen to those who tell us it’s pointless and ignoring those who say this is the only way it can be. Have hope.
Charles Masraff said on August 25, 2011
Go for it Joel!!
Anna Wachtmeister said on October 4, 2011
Your website is one important way that keeps me connected to the UK. Fantastic. Will there be more?
Anna in Haiti
Joel said on October 4, 2011
Anna
Thanks. Yes, trying to find the time to develop it, get links up, develop content, etc. But I’m working part-time at the moment so it’s tough.
Second podcast coming soon though – on fascism and multiculturalism…
Thanks for your support
Love
Joel
Robert said on January 30, 2012
Hi Joel,
I just listened to your pod-cast about multiculturalism and fascism. You are good, Man. We need more thoughtful and articulate voices on the Left. Nice mix of music too. I hope you can get out another episode soon. It would be a real shame if you can’t keep these coming.
If you do manage to get the show up and running again, I do have one suggestion-how about adding interviews of various progressive people to the mix?
Anyway good luck Joel and I really do hope to hear from you again.
Robert
Joel said on March 29, 2012
Robert,
Thanks for your comments and support. I’m sorry I’ve not kept up the blogging or podcasting, but I hope to come back in a more developed sense alongside a couple of comrades-in-arms.
Thanks
Joel