ReRun Weekly News Roundup – September 13th 2024

A tent city next to Mayfair.
In a liberal society, collaboration between individuals and the state often breaks down because the values that dominate such a society emphasise personal responsibility over collective well-being. People are encouraged to prioritise their interests, success, and autonomy, frequently seeing state intervention as an intrusion rather than a partnership aimed at societal improvement. This mindset creates a disconnect, where citizens expect the state to solve issues like homelessness and poverty but feel no personal obligation to contribute or support these efforts. As a result, the state takes on the role of a “nanny state,” bearing the weight of problems where family structures or personal networks have failed. This dynamic fosters a cycle of disengagement, with individuals viewing societal problems as solely the government’s responsibility, while the state struggles to encourage public cooperation, reinforcing a divisive “us vs. them” polarisation within society.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/30/sadiq-khan-delay-homeless-tent-city-mayfair/

The NHS must Reform or Die
The NHS, a lifeline for millions in Britain, is now facing the very real threat of privatisation, which could fundamentally alter how healthcare is delivered. While it won’t be scrapped outright, people will be gradually pushed out of it through longer waiting times, resource shortages, and consultants who, frustrated with an underfunded system, will increasingly turn to private clinics. This shift would mean healthcare becomes a privilege for those who can afford it, rather than a right for everyone, following the model seen in places like the United States, where privatisation leaves many with huge medical bills and limited access. The erosion of the NHS is very much in line with today’s liberal economies, where market forces dictate essential services, slowly creating a two-tier system. Those with money will receive better care, while others are left to struggle. At a time when the cost of living is already rising, this shift risks putting profit over people, leaving ordinary families at the mercy of corporate interests.

https://news.sky.com/story/nhs-must-reform-or-die-warns-pm-as-new-report-says-service-in-critical-condition-13213017

The ban on junk food adverts before 9pm
The ban on junk food adverts before 9pm overlooks the harsh reality faced by low-income families, for whom junk food is often the only affordable option. With rising living costs and stagnant wages, many parents struggle to put wholesome meals on the table, turning to cheaper, calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods out of necessity rather than choice. While limiting junk food ads may reduce exposure to unhealthy products, it does nothing to address the financial pressures that drive these families to rely on them in the first place. For many, the issue isn’t about being influenced by adverts but being trapped in a cycle where junk food is the most accessible option due to its affordability and convenience. Without tackling income inequality and food insecurity, this policy risks being a patchwork solution that overlooks the root cause of poor nutrition in low-income households.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/sep/12/junk-food-tv-ads-to-be-banned-pre-watershed-in-uk-from-october-2025

When Citizenship Becomes a Casualty of Geopolitical Power Plays
The tragic killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank starkly illustrates how citizenship can become irrelevant when caught in the crosshairs of geopolitical conflicts. Despite being a US citizen, Eygi’s death has prompted little more than calls for investigations, with no concrete action to hold those responsible accountable. This reflects the often-selective value placed on citizenship when political interests are at stake. While American or Turkish nationality would typically invoke strong diplomatic responses, in this context, it highlights the power imbalance in geopolitics, where human rights and individual lives are overshadowed by larger strategic interests. Eygi’s case reveals the harsh reality that even citizenship, in the face of global power dynamics, offers little protection or justice for those on the wrong side of Israel.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/12/israeli-forces-mischaracterised-events-leading-fatal-shooting-aysenur-ezgi-eygi-washington-post

Beyond the Ban: How Liberal Societies Fuel the Cycle of Violence

Liberal societies are quick to implement bans on objects like knives and weapons, yet they consistently fail to address the deeper societal issues driving violence. The combination of liberal values, which often emphasise individual freedoms without sufficient responsibility, and the glorification of gang culture in the music and entertainment industry creates a dangerous cocktail. In the UK, for example, despite the ban on “zombie” knives and other weapons, knife crime in cities like London remains widespread, fuelled in part by drill music that glorifies violence, gang culture, and retaliation. This culture normalises violence and aggression, embedding it into the everyday lives of many young people. While removing weapons from circulation may seem like progress, it overlooks the elephant in the room: a cultural environment that celebrates and perpetuates violence. It is time to question whether these liberal values are genuinely contributing to peace and security, or if they are, in fact, fostering the very conditions that breed violence and instability. Without addressing these root causes, bans on objects will only ever be a superficial solution to a much deeper problem.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0re4wp8j2o