It is a sign of pure political backwardness when any movement is led by students. True or false?

Question

This was alledgedly quoted by A.J.P Tayor in the 'Guardian'.

Answer 1

true.

Answer 2

students haven't lived long enough to know the world of politics

Answer 3

its also a backward step to generalise! or refuse to listen on grounds of discrimination. the world happens! to belong to the young. they are the future. so far! the ageing old farts who run the world haven't!! exactly found the answer's have they? in fact!! they seem 'of late' to be taking us backwards!! them selves!!! there are more world conflicts now than there has ever been!! and most modern societies now days are run on lies and deception......greed and selfishness. ((very progressive.))

Answer 4

Um. Students can be of any age. But it shows that the movement is helping introduce young people into politics.

Answer 5

It is a sign of "political vibrancy" if the young lead any movement.

Early adopters of any change can influence the rest.

As for the quote - only an insecure political man can think of that..

Answer 6

I would tend to trust a student more than a hard nosed businessman

Answer 7

I think most young people hold high ideals and are not afraid to voice these. So I would say it is a sign of hope and not regressive in any way. Our young people hold the future of the world in their hands. I just pray that they never waver from the truth in any situation-especially not putting self service before the needs of the people like many politicians do. A big error of most politicians is to believe that they 'govern' when in fact they should be 'trusted servants.'

Answer 8

I don't often agree with anything in the Guardian, but yes. They are reactionary, idealistic, but are grossly lacking in wisdom and temperance. They should be humble enough to realise that they are still on the upward slope of the learning curve, and be a little more respectful to those of us that realise that life isn't black and white.

I have never had a problem with students having a debating society, a social club, but a Union, I think not. They need to be seen and not heard.

It is worthy of note, that some of them never grow out of their naivety, but become academics or activists instead.

Answer 9

First, an aside: Tayor is an unusual surname. Did you mean Taylor?

As for the statement he's alleged to have made, I think the intent here is to see it as an analogy, one I would not be surprised to learn is common, to the parent child relationship, where the child looks to the parent for guidance. That society often needs the youth to see what should have been seen, or was but ignored and not acted on or against, is backwards. Is it purely so? I don't know. I would doubt it if only because the need for youthful perspectives seems common enough to be expected to be given and affect change, for better or ill. I see this as a condemnation not of youth, but of archaic leaders who do not think beyond themselves, who do not "lead".

Answer 10

Hmm, i don't think so. Students are traditionally a very politically active group in society, if then then, when? And if not them, who?

Answer 11

Most of the students I've met are left wing tree huggers who seem to think the world's problems can be solved by sitting down and debating it.

We had the same in the sixties and they're the one's now running the place - scary ain't it??

We're conducting a "war on terror" in this country and we have ex students, now teachers, banning members of the Armed Forces from schools and student groups banning the University Air Squadron at Oxford from carrying out any form of training on University grounds as it offends their senses, and this left wing Government we have allows them to get away with it!!

I find the whole scenario totally unbelieveable.

Answer 12

Perhaps they are being used by a "teacher" or mentor without the charisma or courage to speak for them selves.

Young people can be energized and sent out to do such things or take on the job themselves as the beginning of a life of interest and activism. Time will tell.

If the cause is worthy then it's a good thing, if not hopefully for the rest of us it will fizzle out.

Answer 13

Sure.

Why not?

Who raised them up with self lack of knowledge?

Who kick them on the butts without being aware of it in time?

How can they be great?

Living in misery with the missing link?

In climbing up the coconut trees and still look green with lost sense of direction and purpose of life without being aware of it in time?

When they get kick on the butts without being aware of it too?

Luke 6.39-40,41-45,46-49

What do you think?

Answer 14

False,  the world of academia is the place for thinkers and activists.  No ones political views, while I may not agree with them, should be considered backwards.  A sign of pure political backwardness is when only a select groups ideas are to be heard.