Because liberalism demands accountability, AI now enters into an updated social contract between individuals, their states, and AI-producing companies
Liberalism
Posted inNews/Politics
The notorious, dissenting RBG
Ruth Bader Ginsburg understood the consequences of her death, and that the cold political calculus of replacing her on the US Supreme Court would take centre stage. Her supporters should take heart from her persistence
Posted inNews/Politics
Dear liberals: Elites, not fascists, threaten democracy, part 2
You are quick to be repulsed at the EFF’s antics yet you rarely show outrage or demand collective action against the systemic violence which sustains our political order
Posted inNews/Politics
Dear Liberals: Not everything you dislike is fascist (Part 1)
THOUGHTLEADER: The EFF deserve severe criticism on many grounds but discrediting its politics as fascist doesn’t allow for a thorough critique of the party, and the upheavals in our politics it represents
Posted inBusiness, Environment, Equality, Gender violence, General, Health, Lifestyle, Media, News/Politics, Sport, Tech
An Invitation
Recently, I decided that I wanted to hold a conference to define a new vision for South Africa. The premise being that the old vision for South Africa, which was defined between 1987 and 1996, has in fact failed. I intended to invite every political party registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (and you can […]
Posted inEnvironment, News/Politics
The four dimensions of liberalism
I have recently suggested that the Democratic Alliance begin using the word ‘liberal’ and the word ‘liberalism’ in their communications. That is that the Democratic Alliance should begin proudly declaring themselves to be Liberal and to adhere to Liberalism. This is because being Liberal and adhering to Liberalism is what will give the Democratic Alliance […]
Posted inEnvironment, Equality, Health
The politics of mental health provision in a liberal democracy
By Sipho Dlamini The recent discussion between Eusebius McKaiser and Mazibuko K Jara on the place of liberalism in South Africa sparked an interesting question on mental health provision in a liberal democracy such as ours. In reading these discussions, I was reminded about a simple and yet incisive point about liberalism given by Professor […]
Posted inEquality, General
Why South Africa continues to grapple with the L-word
So there I was, propping up a barn in Sweet Auburn, Atlanta. I was in town for a conference about racial justice (or the lack thereof) with my Consciousness Café colleague Keke. Two days before, Donald Trump had been elected president of the US, and the conference was a churned-up sea of angry, bewildered activists. […]
Posted inNews/Politics
The theoretically bankrupt intifada against liberalism: A response to Jared Sacks
In case you didn’t get the memo: liberalism is passé. Society’s (imagined) love affair with liberal politics is over, and you’re supposed to be cheering the advent of a new polity: the rise of “radicalism” as the new descriptor of choice, one to be employed by a million student activists and thought leaders in their […]
Posted inEquality, News/Politics
What is ideology?
Those of us who were studying at the time of the great “cold war” tussle between the superpowers would remember that, at that time, one thought of ideology as a more or less coherent system of ideas that demanded a way of living, or certain actions in accordance with those ideas. So, for example, communism […]
Posted inEquality, General, Media, News/Politics
Maimane and the Constitution
In the most direct test of Mmusi Maimane’s understanding of constitutionalism and liberty, the DA’s heir-presumptive has been found wanting. Maimane is widely reported to have stated that he would allow issues like the death penalty and gay rights to be determined by the vote. Understandably, this has caused much upset, among Maimane’s supporters particularly. […]
Posted inEquality, News/Politics
The intimate and unbearable shackles of racism
You know this scene all too well: you’re in a supermarket and the person in front of you whispers a racist epithet under their breath. Apparently black shop clerks are to blame for shopping rush hours. Or you stumble into a serious debate where accusations of racism are used as a distraction to shut down […]