Caucuses, and why they are relevant to us! 02:10

Josh James

All the worst arguments start with “that’s how Nazi Germany started” so I’m purposefully avoiding that amusing but clichéd introduction. But the phrase coined by the great John Stuart Mill is as appropriate here as anywhere: “the tyranny of the majority was at first, and still is… when society is itself the tyrant -- society collectively over the separate individuals who compose it”.

Mill was not necessarily calling normal people tyrants, and neither am I. But what happens when the views of those in a minority are not represented as loudly as the collective voices of the majority, is that they effectively get trampled on.

My view of caucuses is simple; not only are they widespread in many political forums as a fair and equal way of making sure all voices are heard, but they are an incredibly effective tool, for education, progression and justice.  Democracy has always been said to come in many different forms, a very flexible political system indeed: Democracy can be used in different ways to best reflect the social need it is required to fulfil. From, Germany’s safe coalition system, to Britain’s theatrical and adversarial politics, many different forms of democracy can be seen to work all over the world, none of them “less democratic” than the next. Even the union went through a democratic overhaul, it is no more democratic now than it was before, but it is a democracy that better suits the needs of the student body, or so some believe. One thing is for sure, we shouldn’t be scared of changing our system if it’s going to suit us better as a society.

Caucuses can help the voice of the smallest be heard, and usually the majority in modern society are interested in what they have to say, and so they should be. The actions of the majority in fact often greatly affect the minority yet the opposite is rarely true. E.g. a policy to become a republic state affects everybody in the UK, yet a policy for equal marriage only really affects the LGBT caucus. Similarly, policy that has an impact upon caucuses can only justifiably voted on by those who self-identify because otherwise it would be akin to all political parties voting in a Labour leadership election. Not only would it drown out the voice of those with an interest, rendering the Labour voice pointless, they would also be the ones who would have most to lose.

Furthermore, the caucus itself, although anonymous, can act as a vital support group for those facing very real challenges in day to day life that the average person on the street can rarely comprehend. In real terms, with the University and local authorities cutting student welfare bodies, the support can be invaluable. Not to mention the huge advantage it gives to that golden word; inclusivity. People always feel more welcome if there are people who understand them better.

Politically, caucuses should not be looked at with suspicion or as a threat. A disabled caucus with a voting right is not about to vote on things that do not directly concern disable issues, nor are they going to plan a coup or uprising. The thought that caucuses could or would undermine democracy is a dangerous one, as it deepens the gap of us and them, and creates a feeling of hostility (and that is how Nazi Germany started).

Caucuses can add a lot of democracy to an organisation; if democracy is meant to be the voice of the people, then the voice of everybody should surely be held independently and equally.

If you have any arguments against what I have written then please post below, I am happy to start a reasoned debate.

 

This piece represents Josh James' view on the situation, not that of AULS. If you have a piece you'd like to contribute, or reply to this post, email tdk@aber.ac.uk.

Our Union is crumbling around us, and no-one seems to care. 13:14

Josh James.

The last year has been an incredibly turbulent one, for all of us students in Aberystwyth even if you don’t know it. Our hard-working officers are now desperately trying to grapple control of the Union's affairs, yet the majority of students remain somewhat callously unaware of this massive threat. So, why is the Union collapsing in on itself; with what is now remarkable speed, why does nobody care, and why is this all such a bad thing? Let me explain:

The Union has always made a decent amount of money off us, whether we are buying things in its shops, buying BOS cards, or drinking in its bars, and all this has been relatively successful. This is the arm of the Union that is most recognisable, and perhaps where a lot of the apathy comes from. Because this is the union that is so very visual, many believe that this is the only purpose the union serves, “to get people drunk”, and we students are the ones that pay for it. They do not realise that this profitable arm of the union is in fact only a very narrow slice of the union in its entirety.

The other half of the Union is not a business, but a charity. Protecting student’s interests, campaigning for better quality of academic and welfare services the university provides, as well as providing some itself. Housing initiatives, counselling, societies and sports clubs funding, and helping those who encounter the worst of problems the University can offer; accusations of unfair practice and the like. We pay to, eat and drink, and at the same time fund things that facilitate the serious matter, of “student experience” the University boasts so much about. The union is in fact the source of nearly all the things we as students submerge ourselves in while at university.

Only recently, despite it being beyond reason itself, the university seems to have launched almost a campaign on the organisation that so silently works on our behalf, on academic boards and in student cases; and now seems to want it to close. It seems, it no longer appreciates the input the union has into its own workings, or at least that is the opinion of the Vice Chancellor (head-honcho).

The money the union makes doesn’t cover all the work the charity arm does, and so the university has historically invested large sums (it being in its own interests after all that the student voice can be heard). However, recently it has cut this funding, drastically, most recently by £75,000, leaving the Union with limited room to manoeuvre, less so with the recent resignation of Chief Executive; Geraint Edwards. As a result, it has started to downscale, presumably to try and plug the leak. It has not worked it has only made it worse, quickly.

If the Vice Chancellor’s plan is to reduce the union and the student voice to the minimum law will allow, she is doing a good job.

The result will be not “bad” but catastrophic; for students at least. There will be no support when we need it, funding for societies will likely decrease, the union bars may close just as the bars in PJM and Cwrt Mawr have over the last 5 years. Worst of all, we will have no voice. The student experience will be no more; things will be run how the University big wigs want them, not how student’s want them, and considering students are now paying £9000 a year; does that really sound fair?

It may be too late to reverse the destruction of our union, we will just have to wait and see. However if the Union is going to survive the next few years, it needs as much student support as it can get. You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone.

This piece represents Josh James' view on the situation, not that of AULS.  If you have a piece you'd like to contribute, or reply to this post, email tdk@aber.ac.uk.