Brand was asked to guest-edit the New Statesman, Britain’s most well-known political magazine. In his editorial piece he put forward the idea of political revolution.
He stated: “…imagining the overthrow of the current political system is the only way I can be enthused about politics.”
Brand went on to announce that he has never voted: “I don’t vote because to me it seems like a tacit act of compliance; I know, I know my grandparents fought in two world wars (and one World Cup) so that I’d have the right to vote. Well, they were conned. As far as I’m concerned there is nothing to vote for.”
According to Brand’s idealism “apathy is a rational reaction to a system that no longer represents, hears or addresses the vast majority of people. A system that is apathetic, in fact, to the needs of the people it was designed to serve”.
Brand’s brand of revolution has sparked furious debate around the world. In his interview with Paxman he underscored his views by saying that we must search for an alternative and shouldn’t vote until there is one.
“Stop voting, stop pretending, wake up,” said Brand. “Be in reality now. Why vote, we know it’s not going to make any difference.”
As South Africa gets ready to head to the polls in 2014, many parallels can be drawn with Brand’s ideology of an apathetic system that exploits the underclass.
In this country the views of citizens appear to be completely disregarded while the agenda of the politicians is pushed. Citizens express their frustrations via service delivery protests and violent riots.
Even when due process is followed, objections are lodged and court cases initiated, schemes such as e-tolling still go ahead unimpeded.
But the question remains: Is apathy the answer?
It is obvious the current system is not working. Will abstaining from voting really bring about a revolution?
While Brand raises some very valid points no solutions were offered. But perhaps he has done his job perfectly. In the interview he stated: “I’m here just to draw attention to a few ideas.”
If that’s the case, then job well done, because this topic has certainly got a lot of people talking.
One way or another this piece is a must read and the interview is a must see. It’s up to you to decide which side of the fence you’re on.
Read his editorial here
