Fascism, fundamentalism, and the left
Originally published in issue 11 of Shift Magazine (Jan 11 – May 11) Since the May General Election, we have been witnessing the slow demise of British fascism as we know it. The British National Party’s spectacular failure tore open divisions and animosities that had been long brewing below the surface. Resignations, sackings, splits, and … Continue reading
Dissecting political and militant Islam
According to the fevered rantings of Islamist fanatics and far-right demagogues alike, the West faces the grave threat of “Islamisation.” This seemingly made-up word means, essentially, the conversion of any given society over to an Islamic one based upon Shariah law. Melanie Philips, a far-right religious fundamentalist who writes for the Daily Mail, explains the … Continue reading
The question of Islam
Since 9/11, Islam – specifically militant and political Islam – has been the focus of an an extraordinary degree of attention and scrutiny, for reasons that should not need elaborating upon. Within the narrow “mainstream” of the political spectrum, there are two set positions on the issue. The conservative or hawkish position holds that Islamic … Continue reading
