Smallism [Localism vs Government]

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One role that those who aspire to government think they have a mandate to do is design society in line with their own way of thinking.  This is the road to totalitarianism, and totalitarianism has a very bad track record historically.

What these people think is that everyone would just follow the rules they lay down everything will be perfect and thus murdering millions of people is a small price to pay for this utopia.

One would have thought that after centuries of this mode of government the human race would have learnt.

This section describes how Smallism allows individuals, families, communities, cities, county and country to use the power of the crowd, or the power of evolution or the power of statistics depending on your preference to allow evolution, to allow bad ideas to die and good ideas to thrive.

Being that smallism starts at the individual and works up to a national level the totalitarians that are bound to rise are limited in their scope and can never achieve the power they crave. 

Taking government out of education

  • Children
  • education
  • teaching

Given that the nature of education has changed because of the ubiquity of the internet, the political influences within the state education system, and the range of specialist subjects available, which have grown in number over the last thirty years, the way in which we deliver education needs to change. 

There are only two subjects or topics of universal benefit: English and math.

One of the mistakes (aside from the success of their political agenda) Labour made with education was opening up subjects that had previously been 'hobbies'. While it's wonderful that my children can take subjects they enjoy - Singing, Acting, Media Studies and so on, the 'chances' that they will have a successful career based on those subjects are small. There is too much competition because they are subjects we'd all like to be successful in. Unfortunately, only a few of us make the grades required to become successful at them.  Look at the number of media graduates working unskilled jobs to validate this.

For this reason, educational establishments would only have to provide (by law) these two subjects (English and Maths). Once you have these two subjects, all other learning is discretionary.  Some people will study hard and specialise; some will read widely and be generalists. Some will not study at all.  The latter cannot be made to study as the education system has found out in the last 15 years, and to try and force study is a waste of resources, not to mention very stressful for teachers with targets to meet.

Wards will be able to open Educational Establishments in competition or collaboration with other wards. EEs will have to provide a high standard of English and Maths tuition, however, opening all other subjects to those who can provide them.

This means that a surgeon interested in helping mould the next generation of surgeons and doctors might want to run a biology class.  He would then apply to run a course using the exam board of his choice (or indeed starting his/her exam board if he thinks that's required), select the students that apply, set the course fees (paying a rental to the EE for the use of premises, advertising and administration) and be able to make a profit.  The price set will vary based on the number of pupils applying for that course. If he turns out to be fairly useless as a teacher, the number of students will drop, and the course will be uneconomical. If he's successful, then he might take on a partner to run another course using his teaching style and methods. 

In this way, the link between investment in education and potential wealth generation is re-established.

Operating this way opens up some interesting avenues for development because now consumers are paying for their futures directly incentivising the pupil to work harder at completion but also removes the discrimination by age.  If I decide at 40 I want to be a surgeon then there is nothing stopping me from joining this class.  If my genius son at 12 wants to take the course, he can also. 

This method completely breaks the monopoly of the state school system while ensuring all children get the two most important subjects to equip them with everything they need for future learning.  

It also allows pupils to have a change of heart.  If someone has done a year of Dance studio and realised they're actually not that good, there is no reason they can't start on a new career path, at whatever stage of their education or age they are at.

Furthermore, new opportunities are opened up. Professional courses become available to school children, including project management, IT and networking skills provided by vendors such as Microsoft and Cisco become available and a 12-year-old who completes these courses can be earning (at the time of writing) 30-40k per year by the time they're 14.

Additionally, education provision at a local level places education and jobs in the same area matching supply and demand.  If a coal mine requires engineers then it will sponsor courses at Education Establishments locally.  Should someone from outside the area want to follow this course then a range of provision will be available from boarding and sponsorship. 

Only the left will decry this concept as it creates higher skilled youth at an earlier age. They will scream about child abuse but if a child at 14 can earn this kind of money why on earth shouldn't they?  Again it's about having the individual make their own choices about their future and providing a system that allows maximum flexibility with the sole aim of wealth creation instead of ensuring a person has a poor education, irrelevant to the local job market and with little opportunity to change direction or progress further through study and experience.  One must not forget the number of unemployed media studies students created by Labours ideas of education.

 

Lifelong Learning

It seems reasonable that the focus of Education required by the state should be to empower the child with the drive, resilience and tools to take education as a serious and enjoyable alternative.

This system also allows for the flexibility in job skills that companies and business require, the state will only provide English (Including Latin) and Mathematics, but to a very high level, between the ages of two and fourteen.

One aspect of education that is missing from many schools today is teaching pupils ‘how’ to learn, such as taking notes, reading ahead of the lectures and preparing questions, and writing formal reports and essays. These are essential skills for lifelong learning and preparation for work, and so they will be persistently encouraged while learning all other subjects.

The rest of the time would be down to parental and pupil choice as per the model of modes of education.  If a person believes their three-year-old daughter has what it takes to be a dancer they can choose a route of learning to suit.  If that child then turns out not to be the protégé that was once hoped for the child can start another career path learning tree.  Incidentally, there is no reason she would have to give up on the dancing either.  This ability to re-train almost on demand, at any stage of life will provide an excellent foundation for a knowledge-based science and technology-based sector of the economy.

Electricity Distribution in Findhorn, Scotland

In 2009, the residents of the small village of Findhorn in Scotland took over their local electricity distribution network after the previous operator, Scottish and Southern Energy, decided to sell it. The distribution network had been an essential service for the village, providing electricity to homes, businesses, and community facilities.

The residents formed a community group called the Findhorn Wind Park Trust, which secured funding from grants and donations to purchase the distribution network. The community group now manages the distribution network, including maintenance and upgrades.

Since the takeover, the Findhorn electricity distribution network has become a model for community-owned energy systems, providing a reliable and sustainable source of electricity to the village and surrounding areas. The community group has also been able to use profits from the distribution network to fund renewable energy projects and community initiatives.

The success of the Findhorn Wind Park Trust in taking over their local electricity distribution network has demonstrated the ability of communities to provide essential utility services, such as electricity, without the involvement of local government or private corporations. It has also provided a model for other communities in Scotland and beyond that are looking to transition to more sustainable and community-owned energy systems.

Post Office in Somerset, UK

In 2012, the residents of the small village of Mells in Somerset, England, took over their local post office after the Royal Mail announced plans to close it due to budget cuts. The post office had been a vital community resource for over a century, providing a range of postal and banking services.

The residents formed a community group called the Mells Post Office Association, which secured funding from grants and donations to purchase the post office from the Royal Mail. The community group now manages the post office, including staffing, operations, and finance.

Since the takeover, the Mells Post Office has continued to provide essential postal and banking services to the village and surrounding areas. The community group has also been able to expand the services offered by the post office, including the provision of a community shop and café, which has become a popular meeting place for local residents.

The success of the Mells Post Office Association in taking over their local post office has demonstrated the ability of communities to provide essential services, such as postal and banking services, without the involvement of local government. It has also provided a model for other communities across the United Kingdom that are facing similar issues with the closure of post offices and other public services.

Swimming pool in Scotland

In 2015, the residents of the small town of Cumnock in Scotland took over their local swimming pool after the local council announced plans to close it due to budget cuts. The swimming pool had been a popular community resource for over 40 years, and its closure was met with strong opposition from local residents.

The residents formed a community group called the Cumnock Action Group, which secured funding from grants and donations to purchase the swimming pool from the local council. The community group now manages the swimming pool, including staffing, programming, and maintenance.

Since the takeover, the Cumnock swimming pool has become a thriving community hub, offering a wide range of swimming and fitness programs for residents of all ages. The community group has also been able to keep membership fees affordable, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the swimming pool.

The success of the Cumnock Action Group in taking over their local swimming pool has demonstrated the ability of communities to provide essential services, such as recreational facilities, without the involvement of local government. It has also provided a model for other communities in Scotland and beyond that are facing similar issues with public service cuts.

Water Management in Northwood, New Hampshire.

In 2018, the residents of the small town of Northwood, New Hampshire, took over their local water system after years of problems with the privately-owned utility. The utility had been owned by a series of out-of-state companies, which had neglected maintenance and infrastructure improvements, resulting in frequent outages, low water pressure, and water quality issues.

The residents formed a community group called Northwood H2O, which secured funding from grants and donations to purchase the water system from the private utility company. The community group now manages the water system, including maintenance, repairs, and customer service.

Since the takeover, Northwood H2O has made significant improvements to the water system, including the installation of new infrastructure and the implementation of a regular maintenance schedule. The community group has also been able to keep water rates affordable for residents, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the water system.

The success of Northwood H2O in taking over their local water system has demonstrated the ability of communities to provide essential services, such as water, without the involvement of local government or private companies. It has also provided a model for other communities across the United States that are facing similar issues with privatized water systems.

  1. A library in Bristol, UK
  2. Introducing the Smallism Ward
  3. Up the workers: Where Marx went wrong

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latest Articles

  • Taking government out of education
  • Corporate Donations is a failure of the political classes
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  • How political parties destroy democracy
  • Electricity Distribution in Findhorn, Scotland
  • Post Office in Somerset, UK
  • Swimming pool in Scotland
  • Water Management in Northwood, New Hampshire.
  • A library in Bristol, UK
  • Localized and Centrally Planned Economies: An Overview (ChatGPT)
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