The Tories should drop their obsession with small government

The Thatcherite caricature of Conservatives as small state crusaders only alienates the majority of the electorate

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye | Friday, 23 November 2012 at 7:57 pm

Why we’re all a little liberal and a little conservative

We develop neural networks, particularly but not exclusively in sensitive periods such as early childhood and adolescence, which form a multitude of processes that are stimulated in different environments. In other words, the unique social experiences we encounter mix with our genetic profile to form the different dispositions we have at different points in time.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye | Friday, 24 August 2012 at 10:22 am

Don’t let the Government scrap Sure Start

The evidence from abroad is clear and robust: integrated education, health and welfare services can reap long-term benefits to individuals and the public purse. Politicians shouldn’t despair and axe Sure Start. Rather, it should seek innovative ways of making sure the scheme fulfils its potential.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye, Econoblog | Friday, 20 July 2012 at 12:15 pm

David Cameron’s oppressive Big Society

The Conservatives’ passion for the Big Society chimes with a deep human desire to be an esteemed and popular part of a social group – whether it be a family, a peer group or a neighbourhood. Indeed, psychologists report that even the most ambitious people – doggedly independent, seemingly – are actually motivated by a longing to achieve membership of some exclusive grouping.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye | Wednesday, 11 April 2012 at 4:15 pm

Stop all this exaggeration

Politics attracts those with passionate views, understandably. It’s the arena where you try and change society according to your principles.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye | Saturday, 24 March 2012 at 12:00 pm

Tear down the social ghettos

Our networks – including our nationality, class and family – are critical in the formation of our character. This is because our actions are heavily determined by the unconscious, which is shaped by social context.

So our chances of success in life are hugely influenced by the networks we belong to. But these networks are becoming increasingly segregated, especially by social class, which is undermining social mobility.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye | Monday, 16 January 2012 at 4:52 pm

This Tory love affair with marriage must stop

Ah, yes, a regular feature at Conservative Party Conference: a prominent Conservative politician reassures the grassroots that the Party will eventually, sometime in the future, restore a tax break for married couples. This year it’s Iain Duncan Smith, yet again. We hear that our broken society will be repaired by recognising marriage in the tax system. Nonsense.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye | Monday, 3 October 2011 at 3:59 pm

Yearning for the great outdoors

Time to blame the parents. Again.

UNICEF published a report yesterday attempting to explain why the UK appeared bottom of the league for child well-being among 21 developed countries in their landmark 2007 report.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Notebook | Thursday, 15 September 2011 at 5:53 pm

The right type of Big Society

David Cameron said he was “very relaxed” about offering the children of his friends internships to work in his office. Here was an insight into how the PM views the Big Society: acts of neighbourliness; helping out friends; fostering strong social bonds.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye | Wednesday, 13 July 2011 at 4:26 pm

Cameron should ignore the calls for an early election: the Tories need the liberals

The electorate punished the Liberal Democrats in the local elections. But the UK is becoming more liberal. And this is why the Tories, despite calls for Cameron to go the polls now, should stay in coalition with the Liberals.

By Ryan Shorthouse | Eagle Eye | Tuesday, 17 May 2011 at 4:45 pm