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Socialism at Oxford

Hey, I'm going to be studying at Oxford in October 08, provided I meet my offer, and for me one of the main attractions of attending University is the opportunity to become politically active - I have been a strong socialist for some time but thus far have been limited to theoretical development due to the absence of any organized political parties in Hong Kong and communication difficulties.

I'd be interested to know how strong Socialist parties are in the Oxford area - I don't want to know which colleges have a left wing political orientation - I mean are there student societies linked to left-wing political parties etc? I'd appreciate any information!

Reply 1

bochis

I'd imagine that Wadham would be the most liberal but still very far from communist. I think you'll have a tough time finding communist organisations at Oxford as people tend to be largely moderates or conservatives, from what I gather.

Reply 2

Yttrium

1

Socialist Students is quite good; affiliated with Respect. And there's always people to discuss things like Marxism with (I half-was/sort of still am a Marxist, and there are lots of people who share those views around). Mind you, there's lots of neo-liberals and just plain old conservatives too. Oxford is not as chock-full of lefties as you might think. Balliol and Wadham are traditionally socialist, but those kind of stereotypes are usually not as striking in reality.

Reply 3

Yttrium

1

There's also OULC, which is large and quite political (in the sense that it is full of hacking, spin and not all that much policy.) Probably better than the real labour party though..

Reply 4

Cirsium

19

I would PM orielhistorian - he's in Quebec atm so you might not get a reply for a few days but if anybody can tell you about socialism in oxford it'll be him!

Reply 5

Derek_the_Sheep

8

bochis

I I think you'll have a tough time finding communist organisations at Oxford

OP said "socialist", not "communist". Hope you're not doing PPE!

DtS

Reply 6

heliotrope

1

wadham is the big socialist place i guess, maybe balliol too to an extent. there are also plenty of socialist societies if you enjoy talking to idiots.

Reply 7

pedy1986

13

My opinion of Oxford politics (bar, the Lib Dems) is that the societies tend to be little more than drinking/greasy pole climbing societies that contribute very little in serious policy discussion or campaigning.

Reply 8

Profesh

20

Derek_the_Sheep

OP said "socialist", not "communist". Hope you're not doing PPE!

DtS

I guess that his being a member of the "International Communist League" doesn't transcend that, then.

Nothing against socialists, personally (or per se); but I've yet to encounter one on TSR who wasn't the (literal) card-carrying embodiment of vapid cliché, and our O.P. seems to be no exception. They're worse than Jehovah's Witnesses.

Reply 9

Yttrium

1

Profesh

I guess that his being a member of the "International Communist League" doesn't transcend that, then.

Nothing against socialists, personally (or per se); but I've yet to encounter one on TSR who wasn't the (literal) card-carrying embodiment of vapid cliché, and our O.P. seems to be no exception. They're worse than Jehovah's Witnesses.

What particular vapid cliché is that, then? :wink:

Reply 10

Profesh

20

Yttrium

What particular vapid cliché is that, then? :wink:

Stridently regurgitating scriptural platitudes as though they're the most profound and earth-shattering statements never to be refuted several million times before; exalting their 'faith' at every conceivable juncture; emblazoning iconography in lurid crimson across their signatures (presumably symbolic of the blood of ~~the Christ~~ Lenin). It wouldn't offend me were it all not so soul-suckingly insipid; if it didn't bear all the hallmarks of propagandist dogma (with every stigma that entails).

Is a modicum of originality and stoicism really so difficult to attain?

Reply 11

Cirsium

19

I actually have to agree a little there. One of the most infuriating discussions I ever had with orielhistorian (which I will add started because he didn't like me going to mass, not because I said anything about it) he tried to end by saying that "Religion is the opium of the people [sic]". Well that's great... except that I, while seeing that Marx had a point or two, am not a Marxist. So quoting me something that he said, that I obviously don't believe, without giving me any kind of indication as to how this fits into your argument or that you've even considered it at all beyond remembering the quote) is a really %%%%%%%% way to try to win a debate. Especially so for a historian, who's meant to be able to logically argue his point.

Reply 12

coodlemoonch

Profesh

but I've yet to encounter one on TSR who wasn't the (literal) card-carrying embodiment of vapid cliché, and our O.P. seems to be no exception. They're worse than Jehovah's Witnesses.

hahahahahaha that made me lol dam thos comunist street trawlers *brandish read book and raise the almighty fist here*

Troll?

coodlemoonch

hahahahahaha that made me lol dam thos comunist street trawlers *brandish read book and raise the almighty fist here*

For the most part, would that their education had been so rigorous.

Reply 15

AnythingButChardonnay

14

It amazes me the number of people in Hong Kong who don't know on which side their bread is buttered.

Hong Kong was built on people escaping from the opression of communism. The free market, capitalist economy and rule of law provided by Britain was the scaffolding up which the people could ascend.

Anyway, I have no reason to be posting here.

Reply 16

username138106

cor

My opinion of Oxford politics (bar, the Lib Dems) is that the societies tend to be little more than drinking/greasy pole climbing societies that contribute very little in serious policy discussion or campaigning.

...

...too easy, Cor. TOO easy.

Reply 17

bochis

Derek_the_Sheep

OP said "socialist", not "communist". Hope you're not doing PPE!

DtS

LOL...no I'm a geographer. I thought the OP meant communist because of his signature line which reads "international communist league" in emblazened red.

My mistake. :smile:

:

Reply 18

Derek_the_Sheep

8

Fair enough! :smile:

"the people's flag is somewhat pink -
it's not as red as most folk think"

Leon Rosselson, AFAIR.

DtS

Reply 19

wholikeswood

i entered this thread with the hope of mocking someone for misusing the word "socialism" to mean "socialising"

now im leaving feeling empty-handed

as regards the subject of politics at oxford, i was casually tossing about the idea in my head of redrawing the continents and borders of certain countries up, the other day, and hopefully my scheme ("germania") can be fully realised at oxford

basically, the first step is getting my government in great britain, france and germany...then just build a big bridge connecting all 3

im not sure what the bridge would do exactly, but would be nice because everyone likes bridges and then it would unite the 3 countries a bit better

Socialism at Oxford

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