Excellent post Carne. I agree with your assessment of the systemic causes behind the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Given the interconnectedness of capitalism, so-called 'democracy,' and inequality in the UK, such a disaster emerging was a matter of 'when,' not 'if.'
From your Gentle Anarchy perspective, I'm curious about your thoughts on 'justice' within complex systems like this. While the root causes are systemic, it's undeniable that certain individuals directly contributed to the tragedy. As you've noted, "some are glad that the culprits have been named."
What, then, constitutes justice in this context? State-imposed incarceration and other punishments don't align with anarchist principles. Alternative approaches like restorative or transformative justice offer possibilities, but would they truly provide justice for survivors and the bereaved? (And yes, I do recognise that the starting point would be to ask them)
Good question, Sam, to which I don't know the right answer. I think your final point is dead right - start with the survivors and families of the victims, ask them what constitutes justice. To me, justice is composed of responsibility-taking, true accountability, recompense and only lastly punishment, if at all. Restorative justice strives for these elements and is thus superior to our more punitive system (which most of those responsible for Grenfell will in any case surely evade).
"someone responded with the usual criticism of bottom-up self-government, that the residents might not be willing or competent to manage their own building."
It great how someone can sound like their saying something and not, the fact is that the government didn't manage the building and killed 74 people, how much worst could the residents do? Corruption is systemic, capitalism isn't really about free markets it's about monopoly and corruption, supported by millions of Sycophants.
Excellent post Carne. I agree with your assessment of the systemic causes behind the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Given the interconnectedness of capitalism, so-called 'democracy,' and inequality in the UK, such a disaster emerging was a matter of 'when,' not 'if.'
From your Gentle Anarchy perspective, I'm curious about your thoughts on 'justice' within complex systems like this. While the root causes are systemic, it's undeniable that certain individuals directly contributed to the tragedy. As you've noted, "some are glad that the culprits have been named."
What, then, constitutes justice in this context? State-imposed incarceration and other punishments don't align with anarchist principles. Alternative approaches like restorative or transformative justice offer possibilities, but would they truly provide justice for survivors and the bereaved? (And yes, I do recognise that the starting point would be to ask them)
Good question, Sam, to which I don't know the right answer. I think your final point is dead right - start with the survivors and families of the victims, ask them what constitutes justice. To me, justice is composed of responsibility-taking, true accountability, recompense and only lastly punishment, if at all. Restorative justice strives for these elements and is thus superior to our more punitive system (which most of those responsible for Grenfell will in any case surely evade).
"someone responded with the usual criticism of bottom-up self-government, that the residents might not be willing or competent to manage their own building."
It great how someone can sound like their saying something and not, the fact is that the government didn't manage the building and killed 74 people, how much worst could the residents do? Corruption is systemic, capitalism isn't really about free markets it's about monopoly and corruption, supported by millions of Sycophants.
We are in agreement Nigel, as usual!
Sorry Carne, you lost me by going on and on about how terrible capitalism is. I agree and I disagree…
You really need to find a more nuanced way to get your message out there.
Thanks Tania! I take your critique seriously. Going on and on is not my objective (and not good writing!). I am learning this lark.
Really he lost you? I went to comprehensive school and I kept up 🙄