Scottish Review:

Kenneth Roy

The expert view is wrong.
These deaths could
have been prevented

Bob Cant

What does
'Tutti Frutti'
say to us now?

John Cameron

The great 'Chariots
of Fire' was the
purest hokum

Andrew Hook

Down with
everything: the new
American mantra

Ronnie Smith

Tanned and smiling,
Mr Blair arrives
among us

Islay McLeod

Villages of
Scotland:
(3) Thornhill

30.03.11
No. 385

James Wilkie

I agree with Robin Downie (23 March) that a horrified concentration on Nicolo Machiavelli's prince has distorted his image and obscured his considerable contribution to the development of political thought.
    'Il Principe', the best known of his many works, has to be seen in the light of his own situation at the time, as a civil servant looking for a job from the new young ruler Lorenzo di Medici. 'Il Principe' was not only dedicated to Lorenzo, but was also part of Machiavelli's canvassing for a position. Its brutal realism has to be seen, not only against the political situation of his day, but also in the light of his cycle theory of the rise and decline of states.
     This cycle theory is possibly the most important legacy Machiavelli has left us. 'Il Discorsi' is quoted to this day by modern economic writers, and is still the basis for contemporary economic theories like the Kondratiev Cycle. In fact, so strong has been its influence on theories of war and economics, that its original political application has been overshadowed.
     And yet, the history of every empire there ever was – its rise, zenith and fall – is proof of the accuracy of Machiavelli's observations in 'Il Discorsi'. The classic example is the British Empire, which started with the creation of a 'home empire' within the so-called British Isles. This was the launch pad for the creation of a world empire, which reached its zenith around 1880, and then went into acceler-ating decline after losing its manufacturing monopoly to America and Germany – helped along by two world wars.
     We are presently observing the last act in the cycle being played out with the ongoing disintegration of the 'home empire' and a protracted return to political normality.
     Machiavelli has been vindicated many times over. 'Il Principe' has to be seen as brutally realistic Machiavellian advice to a young ruler on how to deal with a decadent state at the end of its cycle. Renaissance Florence is not, of course, comparable with extremely complex 21st-century states, but, as with Karl Marx, there is a good deal of value still to be found in Nicolo Machiavelli's writings.

The vile songs go on

being sung. The SFA

should use its powers

Paul Smith

www.bobsmithart.com

I attended a 'Show Racism the Red Card' public meeting at Hampden on Thursday 24 March where we viewed an impressive DVD – 'Rivals Not Enemies' – designed to challenge sectarianism in Scottish football. Various educational initiatives aimed at schools and college students were discussed and warmly welcomed. It is good to see that high levels of energy and creativity are being dedicated to encouraging younger generations not to perpetuate cancerous social prejudices.
     However, in the ensuing question and answer session, the issue which attracted most attention was Strathclyde Police policy as presented by chief superintendent Bob Hamilton. Questioned by a number of us from the audience to explain why only two people were arrested at the CIS Cup Final match when illegal songs were belted out by large sections of the crowd, the chief super stated that multiple arrests were not the answer. He repeatedly cited 'operational problems' with this approach and said at one point that anyone arrested would simply return to the next match.
     The combination of CCTV and ticket-only access enables quick and easy identification of those seen to be acting illegally. Offenders can be removed from future matches. All that is needed is the will to act. At another level, the Scottish Football Association was given direct anti-sectarian powers by FIFA (the global governor of the sport) in 2006.
     Under FIFA Circular No. 1026, the SFA was empowered, indeed required, to impose sanctions against footballs clubs whose supporters repeatedly act in a sectarian manner. Essentially, the SFA has had the authority to deduct points from serial offenders and, in extremis, to relegate these teams to a lower league. This power has never been used or even threatened in Scotland but has been imposed elsewhere in Europe.

I would suggest that the threat of sanctions against clubs in the form of points deduction combined with a real commitment to arrest singers of sectarian bile would very rapidly have a marked impact on the songsheets.

     Currently, Celtic leads the Scottish Premier League by two points. Rangers has a game in hand which, if it wins it, would put the club one point ahead. It is that close. Even one point can be critical in deciding which team gains access to the qualifying rounds for the Champions League where success or failure can mean a difference of £10-£15 million. I would suggest that the threat of sanctions against clubs in the form of points deduction combined with a real commitment to arrest singers of sectarian bile would very rapidly have a marked impact on the songsheets.
     The educational investment is necessary, sadly, given the depth of hatred over generations. But what are those newly-enlightened young people to make of the limited response from at least two significant powers, the police and the SFA? Fresh from their workshops designed to emphasise similarities rather than differences and keen to mingle and prosper as aspiring young Scots as they make their way in the world, they then have to listen to their fathers' generation spewing out sectarian filth on national TV. Bad enough, but then they will have heard prominent politicians, police officers and others announce their satisfaction with the 'atmosphere' in which the match was played.
     Can these people really be so naive that they fail to recognise the lyrics of the songs which created the 'atmosphere'? What are the real problems limiting direct action against the sad, bigoted criminals who are damaged by their history as they march boldly backwards? I'm not convinced that the barriers are 'operational'. I wrote to another anti-sectarian organisation, Nil By Mouth, last December asking why they had not been more visible in highlighting abuses. I was shocked to discover that the organisation had been reduced to one woman, Lisa, bravely trying to do the work of 10.
     Nil by Mouth, Show Racism the Red Card and other agencies will now benefit from renewed funding as announced at the recent summit following the previous Celtic-Rangers match. That is to be welcomed, but any long-term educational initiatives are completely undermined unless the key agencies, particularly the police and the SFA, enforce the powers they already have. The key message from the audience was that we need education and enforcement and we need them now.

Paul Smith is a football fan from Glasgow