Convince me of your political philosophy.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Every political philosophy is utopian to a degree. They all (well, the ones that are serious) describe a world that would work to 100% efficiency should the philosophy come to fruition in its entirety (without issue or error). It's also worth nothing that we would only exist in a utopia if we didn't realise that we were in a utopia. But I would argue that's more or less impossible as there's always someone bitchin'.

As for me, pragmatist, egalitarian, secularist.

I think all 3 stand on their own merits.

A reflexive, non-structured approach to policy that is context dependent and has the long term interest of a population as its heart above and beyond what something would give in short term gains. In effect, it's unpopular becuase it might result in a lot of people losing out in the short term. This is a distinct division from the pragmatism employed by capital free-market advocates who want the free-market to dominate every aspect of society (eg - Kool-aid). Mine is more about social responsibility and working towards future goals by recognising that society changes, and so should the structures that govern it.

Egalitarianism for me was fostered at school when I read this excellent book by Brian Barry:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Culture-Equality...0745622283

A splendid book by a spledid academic who gives excellent reasons as to why equality should be an en masse endevour and not at the expense of the right of others (his argument is a specific attack on multicultral norms is legislation).

Secularism because it is the only true, tried, and tested method for ensuring fairness and equality of all peoples in the decision making sphere of politics and executive government. There may be better ways, and it might not be perfect, but not a single alternative has come close to fostering the sense of togetherness and eliminating the divisions of social and international society than secularism.

In tandem with the above, I'm also a disestablishmentarianist. The Church should have no role to play in the affairs of state, even if they are just ceremonial (I'm English).

In response to the OP about: being born in Britain.

We've got our own issues here too. The % of people who vote is so low, more people in one year actually voted on a TV reality show called Big Brother than the general election. There's a lot of apathy towards politics here, because people have become ignorant to the way politics works, and importantly, how it works. I think this retardation in people's perception of political systems is down, in part, to distinctly mediocre politicians who convey a mediocre form of politics. Democratic Politics, as I understand it, should be about the people seeking to govern the people, with MPs/politicans being drawn from those with experience, intellect, and a sense of empathy towards their fellow citizens (I'm an idealist, I know).

What we have in the UK is an executive dominated by a cartel of élite SPADS (special advisors) who have climbed the ranks in political parties after graduating from University by being errand boys and advisors to other MPs, and then being chosen by those people to stand for the party.

People here are generally quite ignorant to politics, and the people they elect.