euro|topics - Richard Reeves

20/11/2008

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Reeves, Richard

3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

Prospect - United Kingdom | 31/07/2008

A question of character

In an essay for the monthly magazine Prospect, Richard Reeves, director of the think tank Demos, reflects on "good character", a topic that is gaining significance in British politics: "Thinkers and politicians across the political spectrum are now trying to revive 'character-talk'. ... Character is made, not born. ... The political right used to argue that poverty is caused by weakness of character; the left is now realising it may be the other way around. ... Character is an old idea with contemporary relevance. A considerable number of pressing social problems—obesity, welfare reform, pensions, public disorder, educational failure, social immobility—are all, in part, questions of character. It is a treacherous political terrain, but one in which governments are increasingly entangled. Anyone who is interested in creating a successful liberal society is interested in character too, whether they admit it or not. Good societies need good people."

The Independent - United Kingdom | 24/04/2008

The House of Lords should go the way of the Monarchy

Writer Richard Reeves agrees with the efforts to reform Britain's democracy, but, he writes, they are taking the wrong approach. "Rather than trying to modernise the Lords, Gordon Brown should be boosting the power of the Commons. Sadly, our major parties remain wedded to bicameralism. Norway is preparing to ditch its upper house next year, but no British political party queried our need for one. ... making the Lords democratic seems, on the face of it, to be a wholly progressive position. But, in fact, it betrays a lack of faith in democracy. ... We probably don't need to abolish the Lords, any more than the monarchy. It can just be permitted to wither away as a constitutional force, with its delaying powers withdrawn bit by bit. This process would result in the Lords, like the crown, becoming an ornamental rather than instrumental part of our constitution."

New Statesman - United Kingdom | 14/02/2008

Richard Reeves questions state control of 'bad habits'

"Should the state force us to eat well, drink wisely and behave nicely on public transport, or should we leave people alone unless they are directly damaging others?" wonders columnist Richard Reeves. "Politicians have historically been wary of appearing to pass judgement on our behaviour, but are becoming more outspoken as the impact of Brits Behaving Badly is more keenly felt. ... The positions of government and opposition alike are riddled with inconsistency. Both are stuck between the rock of paternalism and the hard place of liberalism. ... The human tendency to imitate is powerful; it makes both good and bad behaviour become normalised and hard to turn around. ... The political right is correct to suggest that self-regulation - or character - is vital. A good society cannot be built without good people. But the left accurately identifies the role of collective life, and of institutions, in the shaping of behaviour."

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