Maurice Glasman, Baron Glasman
Encyclopedia
Maurice Glasman, Baron Glasman (born 1961) is an English academic, social thinker and Labour
life peer
in the House of Lords
.
, London, the son of Rivie and Collie Glasman. He was educated at Clapton Jewish Day School and Jewish Free School from where he won an exhibition to study Modern History at St Catharine's College, Cambridge
. He read his MA at the University of York
and undertook a PhD at the European University Institute
in Florence. He is an authority on the Hungarian economist and sociologist Karl Polanyi
, whom he cites as a major influence on his politics.
Glasman is a senior lecturer in political theory at London Metropolitan University
, and Director of its Faith and Citizenship Programme. Prior to his elevation he worked for ten years with London Citizens
and through this developed an expertise in community organising.
. His elevation to the Lords was considered something of a surprise, with Glasman admitting he was "completely shocked" by the appointment. On 4 February 2011, He was created Baron Glasman, of Stoke Newington and of Stamford Hill in the London Borough of Hackney, and was introduced
in the House of Lords
on 8 March 2011, where he will sit on the Labour benches.
Glasman is the inventor of the term 'Blue Labour
', which he defines as a small-C conservative form of socialism that attempts to return to the roots of the pre-1945 Labour Party through encouraging the political involvement of voluntary groups from trade unions through churches to football clubs.In a wide-ranging critical assessment of Glasman's political philosophy, Alan Finlayson
, shows how Glasman emphasises ethical social institution rather than moral individualism, criticises commodification and the money economy and seeks to bring the concept of the 'common good' back to the forefront of British poliitcs. Lord Glasman's role in the creation and promotion of Blue Labour is described in the 2011 book, Tangled Up in Blue
.
In April 2011, Glasman called on the Labour Party to establish a dialogue with sympathisers of the far-right English Defence League
(EDL), in order "to build a party that brokers a common good, that involves those people who support the EDL within our party. Not dominant in the party, not setting the tone of the party, but just a reconnection with those people that we can represent a better life for them, because that's what they want".
In July 2011, Glasman called for all immigration to be temporarily halted and for the right of free movement of labour, a key provision of the Treaty of Rome
to be abrogated.
The Labour Tradition and the Politics of Paradox: The Oxford London Seminars 2010-11, edited by Maurice Glasman, Jonathan Rutherford, Marc Stears
and Stuart White http://www.soundings.org.uk/
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
.
Biography
Glasman was born in WalthamstowWalthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
, London, the son of Rivie and Collie Glasman. He was educated at Clapton Jewish Day School and Jewish Free School from where he won an exhibition to study Modern History at St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St. Catharine’s College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473, the college is often referred to informally by the nickname "Catz".-History:...
. He read his MA at the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
and undertook a PhD at the European University Institute
European University Institute
The European University Institute ' in Florence is an international postgraduate and post-doctoral teaching and research institute established by European Union member states to contribute to cultural and scientific development in the social sciences, in a European perspective...
in Florence. He is an authority on the Hungarian economist and sociologist Karl Polanyi
Karl Polanyi
Karl Paul Polanyi was a Hungarian philosopher, political economist and economic anthropologist known for his opposition to traditional economic thought and his book The Great Transformation...
, whom he cites as a major influence on his politics.
Glasman is a senior lecturer in political theory at London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan University , located in London, England, was formed on 1 August 2002 by the amalgamation of the University of North London and the London Guildhall University . The University has campuses in the City of London and in the London Borough of Islington.The University operates its...
, and Director of its Faith and Citizenship Programme. Prior to his elevation he worked for ten years with London Citizens
London Citizens
London Citizens is an alliance of community organisations in London in the United Kingdom. It is largely composed of faith groups including churches and mosques, schools, student organisations, union branches and residents' associations...
and through this developed an expertise in community organising.
Political beliefs
Having joined the Labour Party in 1976, Glasman re-engaged with Labour politics after his mother's death in 2008. On 19 November 2010, it was announced that he would be created a life peerLife peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
. His elevation to the Lords was considered something of a surprise, with Glasman admitting he was "completely shocked" by the appointment. On 4 February 2011, He was created Baron Glasman, of Stoke Newington and of Stamford Hill in the London Borough of Hackney, and was introduced
Introduction (House of Lords)
Introduction is a ceremony in the House of Lords whereby new members are "introduced" to the existing membership. Introductions in the Lords are more elaborate than those in the House of Commons.-Origins:...
in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
on 8 March 2011, where he will sit on the Labour benches.
Glasman is the inventor of the term 'Blue Labour
Blue Labour
Blue Labour is an influential political tendency in the British Labour Party that was "effectively disbanded" in July 2011 following remarks about immigration by Maurice Glasman, though political commentators argue that its ideas still have strong influence with the Labour leadership...
', which he defines as a small-C conservative form of socialism that attempts to return to the roots of the pre-1945 Labour Party through encouraging the political involvement of voluntary groups from trade unions through churches to football clubs.In a wide-ranging critical assessment of Glasman's political philosophy, Alan Finlayson
Alan Finlayson
Alan Finlayson is a British political theorist and political scientist. Currently a reader in the Department of Political and Cultural Studies at Swansea University, he is a leading advocate of rhetorical political analysis and of its importance for the study of British politics.- Academic Research...
, shows how Glasman emphasises ethical social institution rather than moral individualism, criticises commodification and the money economy and seeks to bring the concept of the 'common good' back to the forefront of British poliitcs. Lord Glasman's role in the creation and promotion of Blue Labour is described in the 2011 book, Tangled Up in Blue
Tangled Up in Blue (2011 book)
Tangled up in Blue is a 2011 politics book by the journalist and politician Rowenna Davis. The work tracks the emergence of Blue Labour , a movement within the UK Labor party which seeks to promote active citizenship and to champion traditional community values...
.
In April 2011, Glasman called on the Labour Party to establish a dialogue with sympathisers of the far-right English Defence League
English Defence League
The English Defence League is a far-right street protest movement which opposes what it considers to be a spread of Islamism, Sharia law and Islamic extremism in the UK. The EDL uses street marches to protest against Islamic extremism...
(EDL), in order "to build a party that brokers a common good, that involves those people who support the EDL within our party. Not dominant in the party, not setting the tone of the party, but just a reconnection with those people that we can represent a better life for them, because that's what they want".
In July 2011, Glasman called for all immigration to be temporarily halted and for the right of free movement of labour, a key provision of the Treaty of Rome
Treaty of Rome
The Treaty of Rome, officially the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, was an international agreement that led to the founding of the European Economic Community on 1 January 1958. It was signed on 25 March 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany...
to be abrogated.
Selected works
- Unnecessary Suffering: Managing Market Utopia (Verso, 1996)
The Labour Tradition and the Politics of Paradox: The Oxford London Seminars 2010-11, edited by Maurice Glasman, Jonathan Rutherford, Marc Stears
Marc Stears
Marc Stears is a British political thinker and Professor of Political Theory and Fellow of University College, Oxford. His published works have focussed mainly on the development of progressive political movements in the UK and the USA...
and Stuart White http://www.soundings.org.uk/
External links
- Personal page at London Metropolitan University
- "Confronting the City" from Red PepperRed pepperRed pepper may refer to:* Capsicum, whose fruit is used as a vegetable or spice** Specifically, the cayenne pepper, especially in its dried and powdered form* The ripe form of black peppercorns* Red Pepper , in Uganda...
- "The City of London and its Tax Haven Empire": presentation by Nicholas ShaxsonNicholas ShaxsonNicholas Shaxson is a British author, journalist, and an Associate Fellow of Chatham House . He is best known for his investigative books Poisoned Wells and Treasure Islands...
and Maurice Glasman at the LSELondon School of EconomicsThe London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, 1 February 2011. Glasman begins speaking approximately 31 min into the recording, and jointly answers questions after the 54 min mark.