I thought of writing an Idiots Guide To Socialism but the people who read it are definitely not idiots. I decided instead to set out some talking points should you have the misfortune to have an argument with an idiot, I advise against it.

It’s hard to win an argument with a smart person, it’s damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person.

Bill Murray

Everyone thinks democracy is a good idea, but they can’t agree on what it is and think theirs is the best and should be adopted everywhere. This was one of the problems with the Athenians, from whom the term ‘democracy’ originated. The other is that the ‘demos’ excluded women, slaves and resident aliens.

Politics is too important to be left to politicians. Be assured that if you don’t take an interest in politics, politics will take an interest in you!

Everyone affected by a political decision should have a say in the decision process without outside influence. This means devolution to local authorities of matters within their competence while allowing for international alliances for mutual benefit.

I include victims of domestic abuse here, mostly women and children who seek justice for what they have suffered. Normally what happens within a household should be of no concern to others, but once a case of domestic abuse becomes evident the local authorities need to step in. There are unfortunately many cases where such intervention has been unmerited or excessive.

Democracy cannot be imposed on a nation, it can only be established by a desire for democracy within a nation. Nationalistic insurrections frequently bring catastrophic results exacerbated by external intervention.

Nobody should be permanently in a minority or a majority, the immigrant vote counts as much as the millionaire.

I’m finding it impossible to talk about democracy separately from socialism, I can’t see how you can have one without the other. Socialism is simply a requirement that those who produce the common wealth should have a say in its distribution. Ownership of essential services should not be permitted to private enterprises, however well regulated, only public ownership can guarantee democratic governance of our essential industries.

All citizens should have an equitable share of the common wealth – from each according to their ability, to each according their need. The wealthy, who extract benefits in excess of their contribution to the common wealth, should have no more say in government individually than the collective majority united!

I find it offensive to hear references to Elon Musk as being worth a trillion dollars (his eminence as the world’s first trillionaire lasted about as long as Liz Truss’ occupation of 10 Downing Street). He’s worth no more than you or me, probably a good deal less when measured on the scale of his contribution to society.

Margaret Thatcher infamously declared that there was no such thing is as society, so what did she think government was if not society’s way of organising itself for mutual benefit? Democracy may not be perfect but it’s the best we have, if we can avoid its being co-opted neoliberalism!