Joseph's English Journal

Dear editor of the Guardian.

In this response, I shall explain why I disagree with Russell Brand’s views on our democratic system. As I think his views on our political system is inaccurate as he has presented rash solutions . I will challenge Russell Brand’s views of his quest on this, proposed revolution and how it is a wrong way to approach the political system.

In the article Russell Brand states that “Democracy is irrelevant.” I disagree with his opinion, as democracy is not irrelevant in anyway. Democracy is way of resolving many problems that may dwell in society without resorting in civil wars or violence. It encourages participation as it shows that people’s votes determine the way the government is run. Mr. Brand also states that ” The only reason to vote is if the vote represents power or change. I don’t think it does.” I disagree, as its representing that power dwell within the people who vote. This is shown by countries without a voting system, an example of this is Ukraine, which had fought for democracy for many years and now it’s a democracy, they even considered themselves a more unified country than ever before, with a much stronger sense of national identity.

Russell Brand, himself ,states that “I don’t know, the reason not voting could be effective. ” and also states  “My opinions are a results of decades of drug abuse”  Russell Brand does not make very effective arguments, but he has made points to a targeted audiences where the more unfortunate of people, who don’t feel like they have a say in the democracy can relate to Russell Brands views, since he is trying to represent the minority, so by sharing the fact that he is a drug abuser will help readers to sympathize with him more as a person. However this does not help from a political perspective, as this shows he is not familiar with it. Russell Brand uses anecdotes to persuade his readers, to show where he as a person started from. This is an effective way to persuade the readers, it helps them relate to his real life experience. This involves and interest the readers, as anecdotes are true stories that can be very convincing as well as believable. This adds authenticity to what he’s write since it shows genuine passion for what he’s talking about. Russel gains adds authority since he has experience these inequalities, instilling emotive and personal depth to what he is saying which can be considered a way to entice his readers.

Russell Brand has exaggerated many political problems and stated that “Egypt and Easter islands the incubated ruling elites, who had forgotten that we are one interconnected people,destroyed their societies by not sharing. This is, what’s happening now.” He has compared the situations of Egypt and the Eater islands dictatorships to the UK, this is a exaggeration as  Egypt’s situations is more drastic as they had the same leader for 40 years, whilst our selected-leader is changed every 5 years, unless they are to be re-elected again.

What Russell Brand has said, was dangerous and ill-advised, as people are still dying all over the world for the right to vote and he’s just dismissed all of this with “ The impact of voting is negligible” its a gift that we have the right to vote in this country. He didn’t present any solutions to the problems he has presented, so how are his comments actually helping young people who feel disengaged in our political system as it is ? Russell has only expressed biased views against democracy, stating that voting is unnecessary as it has no meaning to the way the country is governed.

“That depends on them? The system that we are invited to vote for? Of course not, that’s why I won’t vote. That’s why I support the growing revolution.” Russell Brand uses a lot of rhetorical questions throughout this article, which is used to get the readers to think and to realise how are current democratic system is not unified, for such reason he wishes not to vote, however this creates more of a rift in the UK system, which is no revolution. He has used persuasive devices such as question marks to subtly influence his readers and to answer his proposed questions, which could cause the reader to doubt our political system.

Russell Brand should better educate himself in politics since he is not solving any key issues and to say“ There’s no point in voting.” is not helpful  so instead he should try to encourage young people to vote more and to get involved, instead of causing this rift as he says “The facts are the facts and problem is the problem.” and Russell brand is the problem and he is only causing more “disparity” which is a fact. I may have been biased myself but an article, for democracy by me and article for the cons of democracy by Russell Brand, should help the undecided to become decided.

Sincerely,

Joseph Babalola-Davies