I wasn't trying to play any game other than to encourage clear thinking
about the issues but most of all the assumptions involved in the arguments
Doug and Bill were/are making. Re the Thatcher/Reagan years and
deregulation, can I recommend David Harvey's book The Condition of
Postmodernity which gives excellent accounts of the rise of post-Fordism,
globalisation etc. It's a well-known book but worht a look if you don't know
it and/or need a good historical background. My own view is that the changes
of the Thatcher/Reagan period would've happened anyway - it's just that the
rise of New Right politics created a climate of accelerated change.
My comment about Thatcherism not being the worst thing: no, I don't dispute
the damage it's wrought, the way Blair is carrying on with it, the wider
implications of the paradigm shift it represents. But there have been worse
things than Thatcherism and the country, the people, were as ready for it as
they were fearful of it. As Lawrence said: she was ELECTED.
My concern about the 'shoulds': I just felt as Ric suggested that we were
all in danger of orbiting in the pomposphere. Yes poetry responds and
'should' do so - I have no problem with that 'should' either - but let's be
realistic about its role, function and impact.
But in general a big thanks to Doug for clarifying some of his points for
me. I sometimes forget that the list is like a big conversation and that
it's not supposed to be a thesis or a manifesto.
All the best
David
PS: I agree about OUP. Let's lobby. I'm writing to the TLS and Poetry
Review.
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