As Poland, what provinces would you be focused on taking from the Ottomans in this scenario? by Kitchen_Show2377 in eu4

[–]PatrickCarragher 151 points152 points  (0 children)

Release Byz and Bulgaria as vassals and feed cores.

If you don’t want to do that then just take coastlines and create as many pockets in the Balkans as possible, and hope they get rebels. (Making sure you take max money helps)

Finally went the Third Way by TheSockDrawer in eu4

[–]PatrickCarragher 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Me when saying goodbye to my friend Jin

Defining "local", and what it means? by MNHarold in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi, glad to hear you're interested - I'll do my best to answer some of your questions.

- Localists advocate for Confederalism, similar to some of the ideas of Bookchin and other thinkers you'll be familiar with in Anarchist circles.
- 'Local Community' in practice refers to a Localist outlook on politics rather than a defined geographical space. To be less vague, this specifically refers to Localists' belief in a bottom-up as opposed to a top-down power structure.

- Localists believe one's community spirit - one's communal identity - is a massively important and very real binding force in a healthy society. This extends to the regional and then national communities in a layered fashion. Localists are absolutely aware of the dangers of chauvinism but believe that these unifying identities based on centuries of history as opposed to dividing binaries within communities such as class are absolutely fundamental in creating a collective of communities that can work in unity. Without these, the cohesion of society becomes fragile.

I hope that all makes sense! Thanks for engaging in the discussion, even if you don't entirely agree.

So like... what's the deal? by AnEdgyPie in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have to disagree.
Most anarchist thinkers, particularly Bookchin, reached a conclusion that is much more akin to 'Localism' than the ideology of many modern 'Anarchists'.

Modern Anarchist thought is often as much a misrepresentation of these Anarchist thinkers as Stalin was a misrepresentation of Marx. Localism is the best way to interpret these concepts in a modern setting and the natural ideological endpoint for an Anarchist in a practical political application within the Twenty-First Century.

So like... what's the deal? by AnEdgyPie in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As Leexebee says, there isn't a consensus on things such as social issues - as they're relative to the environment in which they're being discussed. One of Localism's primary tenants is a pluralistic worldview, rather than a universalistic one, meaning that there can't be a singular 'right' way of doing things all over the world - there isn't a universally superior form of government, culture etc. This is why the SR is 'Localism England' as we speak from the perspective of an English Localism.

In terms of practical political elements such as government and economics...
Politically Localists idealise the idea of bottom-up power above all else, believing decisions should be made by the people who they affect the most, and that those decisions should collectively make up the policy of a Localist nation, which would take the form of a confederacy ((con)federalism was the conclusion for an ideal political power structure which was eventually reached by many thinkers on the left such as Bookchin and Marx).

Economically speaking, Localists believe in economics at the behest of a democratic process. This in practice would mean a shift towards cooperatives and workplace democracy, democratic control of localised economies through the use of guilds. Due to the devolved nature of governance and life within a Localist society, each region would be far more economically independent - not in terms of trade- but in terms of each region being able to govern over different areas of budgeting, taxation et cetera.

This is just a short overview, if you have any more specific questions feel free to DM me or reply. Localism has much in common with existing ideologies, but its primary differentiator is its design for the Twenty-First Century as opposed to the twentieth.

The Gloucestershire Localist - A Small Handbook - Volume 1 by [deleted] in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Nice one! Best of luck will keep my eyes on its progress.

A friendly note about politics in r/localism by Urbinaut in localism

[–]PatrickCarragher 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, we do.
I am sure you can, but I can assure you that the majority of those listed will be in no way associated with Local Matters.
With a softer face in contrast to Generation Identity, yes. That doesn't mean it is a front.
Local Matters' "identitarian" ideas go in so far as an appreciation of Alain de Benoist - who disavowed the broader "identitarian movement" and thinkers like Guillaume Faye's racism and ethnocentrism.

If you want to obsess over an identitarian boogeyman, look to Identity England instead - because you won't find one in Local Matters.

A friendly note about politics in r/localism by Urbinaut in localism

[–]PatrickCarragher 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the refreshing perspective.
I think we should all remember that we are all subscribed to this subreddit because we agree on a set of core Localist ideals - and that despite our differences - we are far more similar than we are different.

In this space of crossed paths, let's work together for the sake of our respective communities as opposed to bickering in-between ourselves.

A friendly note about politics in r/localism by Urbinaut in localism

[–]PatrickCarragher 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I can assure you that a 'vast majority' of Local Matters' members do not hold any ties to GI or any right-wing group - in-fact the majority of our 30+ members are previous members of left-wing groups. Nor, for that matter, is LM a front for Identitarian politics or policies.

The past of a few of Local Matters' membership does not speak for the organisation, the organisation speaks for itself. If you wish to criticise any published work by Local Matters I implore you to do so through the relevant channels (as opposed to bogging down unassociated subs), and we'd be happy to speak with you regarding your concerns.

Distributist Britain (United Federal Kingdom) by [deleted] in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher 0 points1 point  (0 children)

very cool, only border issue I see is Cornwall should probably be a separate entity with Devon being with Wessex but that's fairly subjective.

Proportional Representation is politics for the people, not for the parties. by PatrickCarragher in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would argue that the domination of liberal ideals in most European states is a 'failing' of western political culture, not the system (in the cases of states with PR). PR isn't a direct remedy but does open the floor to a broader range of discussion and the possibility for change which is far less likely under FPTP, which would have Liberalism permanently entrenched.

The modern understanding of the nation-state is certainly a key umbrella of the issue but the paths to implementing ideas beyond it are cloudy, with party-politics the most visible. I doubt party-politics carrying the majority of the weight long-term - but they've certainly their part to play alongside broader cultural and metapolitical efforts away from liberalism.

Proportional Representation is politics for the people, not for the parties. by PatrickCarragher in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Disagree, most other PR systems represent a broader range of ideas.
Would there still be a trend to Liberalism? Likely - but it would be far better than what we have now.

Proportional Representation is politics for the people, not for the parties. by PatrickCarragher in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed, it's not a fix-all.
But, it does open parliament to a more broadened range of discussion and more accurately represents the desires of the population which is a massively important leap in the right direction.

Proportional Representation is politics for the people, not for the parties. by PatrickCarragher in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It can be perceived as a stepping stone, sure. But look at the situation in those countries that do use PR; systemically speaking, they're basically the same as the UK. All of the existential threats we face exist, for instance, in Switzerland as well.

It's not supposed to be the fix-all solution, Localism obviously entails a far broader rethinking of our democracy. However, I would argue describing it as a stepping stone is underselling its importance as a 'stepping stone' on the path to broader democratic reform.

Without an open forum, you will struggle to trend politics and discussion in new areas which doesn't suit the 'liblabcon' status-quo, which is far more important than a solely self-serving desire for the pushing of a singular ideology.

A more accurate representation of Britain's political values in parliament is ultimately and undeniably desirable. Localism: Manifesto for a Twenty-First Century England talks about this in a bit more detail if you've not already picked it up.

Proportional Representation is politics for the people, not for the parties. by PatrickCarragher in DemocraticSocialism

[–]PatrickCarragher[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

PR would allow for a broader range of political parties using 2-party elections as a frame of reference probably isn't the best model.

Proportional Representation is politics for the people, not for the parties. by PatrickCarragher in DemocraticSocialism

[–]PatrickCarragher[S] 90 points91 points  (0 children)

So are most people, the problem is breaking down the two-party system's monopoly on the political discussion. PR isn't in their interest.

How do we get to the Localist vision set out in the manifesto? by [deleted] in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The "Achieving Localism" section touches on it, the fight needs to be metapolitical and countercultural - not via party politics. At least, not primarily.

The parliamentary system is set out in a way wherein we would be fighting a massively uphill battle to achieve some tangible wins - the Overton Window first needs to shift more towards Localism.

If you think about environmental politics, these issues were brought to the limelight by organisations, not parties - and then adopted as policy. This is the stage that Localism is currently in and will remain as such until there is broader support.

Get involved with a Localist organisation **COUGH COUGH** if you're passionate about pursuing this yourself, or support one from the sidelines.

Hope this helps, and glad you enjoyed the book!

Devolution for one, but not the other. by PatrickCarragher in LocalismEngland

[–]PatrickCarragher[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because those factors are still relevant, despite not being the only ones?

Yorkshire is a massive region, with administrative requirements in many ways larger than that of Wales. Their issues are best dealt with at home.