Freundeskreis (meaning "Circle of Friends") also known as FK , were a German hip hop group from Stuttgart . They performed songs in German , English , French and Esperanto . The members were Max Herre , Don Philippe and DJ Friction.
115-535: They were a socially conscious German rap group that released three top twenty albums. Freundeskreis were primarily known for their political lyrics, in which they advocate equality and international understanding . After the much-noticed first album, Quadratur des Kreises (Squaring the Circle) , and its hit single "A-N-N-A" which peaked at #6 in the German charts , the band released its second album, Esperanto , named after
230-537: A Manchester Manufacturer . Cobden advocated the principles of peace, non-intervention, retrenchment and free trade to which he continued faithfully to abide. He paid a visit to the United States, landing in New York on 7 June 1835. He devoted about three months to this tour, passing rapidly through the seaboard states and the adjacent portion of Canada , and collecting as he went large stores of information respecting
345-473: A citizen of their respective countries, but of being a citizen of the world . Internationalists feel obliged to assist the world through leadership and charity. Internationalists also advocate the presence of international organizations, such as the United Nations , and often support a stronger form of a world government. Contributors to the current version of internationalism include Albert Einstein , who
460-449: A considerable impression on his mind in favour of free trade. He then addressed himself to the French ministers, and had much earnest conversation, especially with Eugène Rouher , whom he found well inclined to the economical and commercial principles which he advocated. After a good deal of time spent in these preliminary and unofficial negotiations, the question of a treaty of commerce between
575-464: A doctrine, belief system, or movement in itself. Supporters of internationalism are known as internationalists and generally believe that humans should unite across national, political, cultural, racial, or class boundaries to advance their common interests, or that governments should cooperate because their mutual long-term interests are of greater importance than their short-term disputes. Internationalism has several interpretations and meanings, but
690-624: A foreign policy in pursuit of criminal designs, playing upon national prejudices, and squandering in piratical wars the people's blood and treasure? By the mid-1870s, splits within the International over tactical and ideological questions would lead to the organization's demise and pave the way for the formation of the Second International in 1889. One faction, with Marx as the figurehead, argued that workers and radicals must work within parliaments in order to win political supremacy and create
805-452: A friend "I am going to tell you of a fresh project that has been brewing in my brain. I have given up all idea of burying myself in Egypt or Italy . I am going on an agitating tour through the continent of Europe." He referred to invitations he had received from France, Prussia , Austria , Russia and Spain and added, Well, I will, with God's assistance during the next twelve months, visit all
920-405: A general product of the laws of economic competition inherent to capitalism (i.e., competition between capitalists and their respective national governments for natural resources and economic dominance), liberal ideologies which promote international capitalism and "free trade", even if they sometimes speak in positive terms of international cooperation, are, from the socialist standpoint, rooted in
1035-400: A less resolute man. But there was one source of embarrassment greater than all the rest. One strong motive which had impelled him to engage in this enterprise was his anxious desire to establish more friendly relations between Britain and France, and to dispel those feelings of mutual jealousy and alarm which were so frequently breaking forth and jeopardizing peace between the two countries. This
1150-406: A more transparent pretence of right than our own." The Burmese, Cobden continued, had "no more chance against our 64 pound red-hot shot and other infernal improvement in the art of war than they would in running a race on their roads against our railways... the day on which we commenced the war with a bombardment of shot, shell and rockets...that the natives must have thought it an onslaught of devils,
1265-525: A motion in parliament to this effect, which led to a long and memorable debate, lasting over four nights, in which he was supported by Sidney Herbert , Sir James Graham , William Gladstone , Lord John Russell and Benjamin Disraeli , and which ended in the defeat of Lord Palmerston by a majority of sixteen. But this triumph cost him his seat in parliament. On the dissolution which followed Lord Palmerston's defeat, Cobden became candidate for Huddersfield , but
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#17328840380531380-519: A new era of international fellowship and peace. The only barrier to these four beneficent solutions was the ignorant self-interest of the landlords, the 'bread-taxing oligarchy, unprincipled, unfeeling, rapacious and plundering.' In 1838, the league was formed in Manchester; on Cobden's suggestion, it became a national association, the Anti-Corn Law League . During the league's seven years, Cobden
1495-456: A new member, and it was perceived that he did not need such observance." Undeterred, he gave a simple and forceful exposition of his position on the Corn Laws. This marked the start of his reputation as a master of the issues. On 21 April 1842, with 67 other MPs, Cobden voted for the motion of William Sharman Crawford (a fellow Anti-Corn Law Leaguer) to form a committee to consider the demands of
1610-564: A novel synthesis from the thesis of nationalism and the antithesis of internationalism. They are using the hegemonic possibilities of nationalism [...] these possibilities are endemic in nationalist habits of thinking." In Jacques Derrida 's 1993 work, Specters of Marx : The State of the Debt, the Work of Mourning and the New International , he uses Shakespeare 's Hamlet to frame a discussion of
1725-411: A stronger case for the prohibitive nations of Europe to compel them to adopt a freer system than I had here to overturn our protection policy. He visited in succession France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Russia, and was honoured everywhere he went. He not only addressed public demonstrations but also had several private audiences with leading statesmen. During his absence there was a general election, and he
1840-607: A taste, as likely to prove a fatal obstacle to his success in commercial life. Cobden was undeterred and made good use of the library of the London Institution . When his uncle's business failed, he joined that of Partridge & Price, in Eastcheap , one of the partners being his uncle's former partner. In 1828, Cobden set up his own business with Sheriff and Gillet, partly with capital from John Lewis, acting as London agents for Fort Brothers, Manchester calico printers. In 1831,
1955-492: A view to promoting this object. These statesmen expressed in general terms their approval of his purpose, but he went entirely on his own account, clothed at first with no official authority. On his arrival in Paris he had a long audience with Napoleon, in which he urged many arguments in favour of removing those obstacles which prevented the two countries from being brought into closer dependence on one another, and he succeeded in making
2070-748: A view, such global consciousness, may be termed internationalism, the idea that nations and peoples should cooperate instead of preoccupying themselves with their respective national interests or pursuing uncoordinated approaches to promote them. In the strict meaning of the word, internationalism is still based on the existence of sovereign state . Its aims are to encourage multilateralism (world leadership not held by any single country) and create some formal and informal interdependence between countries, with some limited supranational powers given to international organisations controlled by those nations via intergovernmental treaties and institutions. The ideal of many internationalists, among them world citizens ,
2185-481: A war threatens to break out, it is the duty of the working classes and their parliamentary representatives in the countries involved supported by the coordinating activity of the International Socialist Bureau to exert every effort in order to prevent the outbreak of war by the means they consider most effective, which naturally vary according to the sharpening of the class struggle and the sharpening of
2300-566: A whirlwind of popular excitement the nation was swept into the Crimean War . Again confronting public sentiment, Cobden, who had travelled in Turkey, and had studied its politics, was dismissive of the outcry about maintaining the independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire . He denied that it was possible to maintain them, and no less strenuously denied that it was desirable. He believed that
2415-569: A worker's government. The other major faction were the anarchists , led by Bakunin, who saw all state institutions as inherently oppressive, and thus opposed any parliamentary activity and believed that workers action should be aimed at the total destruction of the state. The Socialist International, known as the Second International, was founded in 1889 after the disintegration of the International Workingmen's Association. Unlike
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#17328840380532530-510: A world government inclined towards fascism would emerge from the former. These internationalists are more likely to support a loose world federation in which most power resides with national governments or sub-national governments. Internationalism is an important component of socialist political theory, based on the principle that working-class people of all countries must unite across national boundaries and actively oppose nationalism and war in order to overthrow capitalism. In this sense,
2645-404: Is anti-imperialist , and therefore supports the liberation of peoples from all forms of colonialism and foreign domination, and the right of nations to self-determination . Therefore, socialists have often aligned themselves politically with anti-colonial independence movements, and actively opposed the exploitation of one country by another. Since war is understood in socialist theory to be
2760-449: Is in the ruling class' interest to promote nationalism in order to hide the inherent class conflicts at play within a given society (such as the exploitation of workers by capitalists for profit). Therefore, socialists see nationalism as a form of ideological control arising from a society's given mode of economic production (see dominant ideology ). Since the 19th century, socialist political organizations and radical trade unions such as
2875-468: Is to go a step further towards democratic globalization by creating a world government . However, this idea is opposed and/or thwarted by other internationalists, who believe any world government body would be inherently too powerful to be trusted, or because they dislike the path taken by supranational entities such as the United Nations or a union of states such as the European Union and fear that
2990-496: Is usually characterized by opposition to ultranationalism and isolationism ; support for international institutions, such as the United Nations , and a cosmopolitan outlook that promotes and respects other cultures and customs. The term is similar to, but distinct from, globalism and cosmopolitanism . In 19th-century Great Britain , there was a liberal internationalist strand of political thought epitomized by Richard Cobden and John Bright . Cobden and Bright were against
3105-643: The Confederacy was fighting for slavery . Nonetheless, his great anxiety was that the British nation should not be committed to any unworthy course during the progress of that struggle. When relations with the United States were becoming critical and menacing as a consequence of depredations committed against the United States by aid to the Confederacy from blockade runners and Confederate commerce raiders issuing from British ports respectively, actions that would lead to
3220-592: The House of Commons . He did not wait long after his admission into that assembly in bringing their predictions to the test. Parliament met on 19 August. On the 24th, during the debate on the Queen's Speech , Cobden delivered his first address. "It was remarked," reported Harriet Martineau in her History of the Peace , "that he was not treated in the House with the courtesy usually accorded to
3335-596: The Industrial Workers of the World have promoted internationalist ideologies and sought to organize workers across national boundaries to achieve improvements in the conditions of labor and advance various forms of industrial democracy . The First , Second , Third , and Fourth Internationals were socialist political groupings which sought to advance worker's revolution across the globe and achieve international socialism (see world revolution ). Socialist internationalism
3450-591: The Manchester Phrenological Society in the 1830s and 1840s. In 1850, he asked Combe to provide a phrenological reading of his son. The Corn Laws were taxes on imported grain designed to keep prices high for cereal producers in Great Britain. The laws indeed did raise food prices and became the focus of opposition from urban areas, which then had far less political representation than rural Britain. The corn laws imposed steep import duties, reducing
3565-680: The Opium Wars , Cobden argued that just as "in the slave trade we [the British] had surpassed in guilt the world, so in foreign wars we have the most aggressive, quarelsome, warlike and bloody nation under the sun." In October 1850 he wrote a letter to Joseph Sturge , claiming that in the last 25 years "you will find that we have been incomparably the most sanguinary nation on earth... in China, in Burma, in India, New Zealand,
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3680-457: The People's Charter (1838): votes for working men, protected by secret ballot. On 17 February 1843, Cobden launched an attack on Peel, holding him responsible for the miserable and disaffected state of the nation's workers. Peel did not respond in the debate but the speech was made at a time of heightened political feelings. Edward Drummond , Peel's private secretary, had recently been mistaken for
3795-478: The Second French Empire in 1851–1852, a violent panic, fuelled by the press, gripped the public. Louis Napoleon was represented as contemplating a sudden and piratical descent upon the British coast without pretext or provocation. By a series of speeches and pamphlets, in and out of parliament, Cobden sought to calm the passions of his countrymen. In doing so, he sacrificed the great popularity he had won as
3910-585: The United Kingdom , and the League of Nations , which was formed after World War I . The former was envisioned as a permanent forum for political multilateral negotiations, while the latter was an attempt to solve the world's security problems through international arbitration and dialogue. J. A. Hobson , a Gladstonian liberal who became a socialist after the Great War , anticipated in his book Imperialism (1902)
4025-461: The constructed language Esperanto . The reasoning for the name was that the group wished to show that they believe that hip hop should be the Esperanto of youth . In 1999 and 2000, the band was back in the charts with the singles "Mit Dir" ( With you ; featuring Joy Denalane , who later become Herre's wife) and "Tabula Rasa Pt. II". For the soundtrack of the film 23 , Freundeskreis covered
4140-521: The general election of 1859 occurred, when he was returned unopposed for Rochdale . Lord Palmerston was again prime minister, and having discovered that the advanced liberal party was not so easily "crushed" as he had apprehended, he made overtures of reconciliation, and invited Cobden and Thomas Milner Gibson to become members of his government. In a frank, cordial letter which was delivered to Cobden on his landing in Liverpool , Lord Palmerston offered him
4255-452: The protectionist Corn Laws and in a speech at Covent Garden on September 28, 1843, Cobden outlined his utopian brand of internationalism: Free Trade ! What is it? Why, breaking down the barriers that separate nations; those barriers behind which nestle the feelings of pride , revenge , hatred and jealously, which every now and then burst their bounds and deluge whole countries with blood. Cobden believed that Free Trade would pacify
4370-647: The Anarchists. We differ from the former in that we understand the inevitable connection between wars and the class struggle within the country; we understand that war cannot be abolished unless classes are abolished and Socialism is created. The International Workingmen's Association , or First International, was an organization founded in 1864, composed of various working class radicals and trade unionists who promoted an ideology of internationalist socialism and anti-imperialism. Figures such as Karl Marx and anarchist revolutionary Mikhail Bakunin would play prominent roles in
4485-597: The British plenipotentiary in that country and the governor of the Canton province in reference to a small vessel or lorcha called the Arrow , which had resulted in the British admiral destroying the river forts, burning 23 ships belonging to the Qing Navy and bombarding the city of Canton . After a careful investigation of the official documents, Cobden became convinced that those were utterly unrighteous proceedings. He brought forward
4600-501: The Cape, Syria, Spain, Portugal, Greece, etc, there is hardly a country, however remote, in which we have not been waging war or dictating our terms at the point of a bayonet." Cobden believed that the British, "the greatest blood-shedders of all", had been then involved in more wars than the rest of Europe put together. In this, Cobden blamed the British aristocracy , which he claimed had "converted
4715-632: The Communist International established the legal framework for internationalist collaboration and the foundation of agricultural and industrial communes within the USSR. Up until World War II, between seventy and eighty thousand internationalist-minded workers moved to the Soviet Union from abroad. The call for internationalist solidarity attracted settlers from countries such as Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Uruguay and
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4830-460: The FK Allstars band having its roots in hip hop, there are elements of reggae, soul, funk and jazz blended in. Internationalism (politics) List of forms of government Internationalism is a political principle that advocates greater political or economic cooperation among states and nations . It is associated with other political movements and ideologies, but can also reflect
4945-611: The First International, it was a federation of socialist political parties from various countries, including both reformist and revolutionary groupings. The parties of the Second International were the first socialist parties to win mass support among the working class and have representatives elected to parliaments. These parties, such as the German Social-Democratic Labor Party, were the first socialist parties in history to emerge as serious political players on
5060-500: The First International. The Inaugural Address of the First International , written by Marx in October 1864 and distributed as a pamphlet, contained calls for international cooperation between working people, and condemnations of the imperialist policies of national aggression undertaken by the governments of Europe: If the emancipation of the working classes requires their fraternal concurrence, how are they to fulfill that great mission with
5175-485: The Second International, who so quickly abandoned their internationalist principles and refused to oppose the war. The Zimmerwald Left resolutions urged all socialists who were committed to the internationalist principles of socialism to struggle against the war and commit to international workers' revolution. The perceived betrayal of the social-democrats and the organization of the Zimmerwald Left would ultimately set
5290-676: The United States. One of first communes was formed by 123 workers of the Ford Motor Company's Highland Park factory. Led by the Detroit-based engineer Arthur Adams (1885–1969) the cooperative arrived in 1921 to set up the first automobile plant of the USSR ( Likhachev Plant ) in the vicinity of Moscow. While most communes were short-lived and disbanded by 1927, others such as Interhelpo , an internationalist commune founded 1923 by Ido -speakers in Czechoslovakia, played an important role in
5405-507: The antagonism between classes within the nation vanishes, the hostility of one nation to another will come to an end. The idea was reiterated later by Lenin and advanced as the official policy of the Bolshevik party during World War I: Socialists have always condemned war between nations as barbarous and brutal. But our attitude towards war is fundamentally different from that of the bourgeois pacifists (supporters and advocates of peace) and of
5520-402: The aristocratic order." Marx and Engels, Warren claims, understood the empowering potential of Miltonic republican traditions for forging international coalitions—a lesson, perhaps, for "The New International." Richard Cobden Richard Cobden (3 June 1804 – 2 April 1865) was an English Radical and Liberal politician, manufacturer , and a campaigner for free trade and peace. He
5635-462: The business were typically £8,000 to £10,000 a year. However, his lifelong habit of learning and inquiry absorbed much of his time. Writing under the byname Libra , he published many letters in the Manchester Times discussing commercial and economic questions. Some of his ideas were influenced by Adam Smith . In 1835, he published his first pamphlet, entitled England, Ireland and America, by
5750-491: The champion of free trade, and became for a time the best-abused man in Britain. However, owing to the quarrel about the religious sites of Palestine , which arose in the east of Europe, public opinion suddenly veered round, and all the suspicion and hatred which had been directed against the emperor of the French were diverted from him to the emperor of Russia. Louis Napoleon was taken into favour as Britain's faithful ally, and in
5865-622: The combativeness of the English race to its own ends". In April 1852, when the British declared war on Burma for the mistreatment of two British sea captains by the Burmese government, Cobden was "amazed" at the casus belli for the war: I blush for my country, and the very blood in my veins tingled with indignation at the wanton disregard of all justice and decency without our proceedings towards that country exhibited. The violence and wrongs perpetrated by Pizarro or Cortez were scarcely veiled in
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#17328840380535980-478: The condition, resources and prospects of the nation. Another work appeared towards the end of 1836, under the title of Russia . It was designed to combat a wild outbreak of Russophobia inspired by David Urquhart . It contained also a bold indictment of the whole system of foreign policy founded on ideas of the balance of power and the necessity of large armaments for the protection of commerce. Bad health obliged him to leave Britain, and for several months, at
6095-726: The contemporary successors of Trotsky's original Fourth International. They fear, in a word, that Soviet America will become the counterpart of what they have been told Soviet Russia looks like. Actually American soviets will be as different from the Russian soviets as the United States of President Roosevelt differs from the Russian Empire of Czar Nicholas II. Yet communism can come in America only through revolution, just as independence and democracy came in America. Trotsky on If American Should Go Communist in 1934. The 4th World Congress of
6210-446: The direct management of Cobden, who settled there in 1832, beginning a long association with the city. He lived in a house on Quay Street , which is now called Cobden House . A plaque commemorates his residency. The success of the enterprise was decisive and rapid, and the "Cobden prints" soon became well known for their quality. Had Cobden devoted all his energies to the business, he might soon have become very wealthy. His earnings in
6325-538: The end of 1836 and the beginning of 1837, he travelled in Spain , Turkey and Egypt . During his visit to Egypt he had an interview with Muhammad Ali , of whose character as a reforming monarch he did not bring away a very favourable impression. He returned to Britain in April 1837. He also visited the United States in this period. Cobden soon became a conspicuous figure in Manchester political and intellectual life. He championed
6440-596: The endorsement of the League of Nations by such people as Gilbert Murray . The Liberal Party and the Labour Party had prominent internationalist members, like the Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald who believed that 'our true nationality is mankind' Internationalism is most commonly expressed as an appreciation for the diverse cultures in the world, and a desire for world peace . People who express this view believe in not only being
6555-401: The establishment of British schools. It was while on a mission for this purpose to Rochdale that he first formed the acquaintance of John Bright . In 1837, the death of William IV and the accession of Queen Victoria led to a general election. Cobden was candidate for Stockport , but was narrowly defeated. Other interests included his friendship with George Combe and his involvement with
6670-485: The fall of his government. In Peels resignation speech he credited Cobden, more than anyone else, with the repeal of the Corn Laws. Cobden had sacrificed his business, his domestic comforts and for a time his health to the campaign. His friends therefore felt that the nation owed him some substantial token of gratitude and admiration for those sacrifices. Public subscription raised the sum of £80,000. Had he been inspired with personal ambition, he might have entered upon
6785-619: The family eventually settled as tenant farmers in West Meon , near Alton in Hampshire . Cobden attended a dame school and then Bowes Hall School in the North Riding of Yorkshire . When fifteen years of age he went to London to the warehouse business of his uncle Richard Ware Cole where he became a commercial traveller in muslin and calico . His relative, noting the lad's passionate addiction to study, solemnly warned him against indulging such
6900-534: The foundation of the Manchester Athenaeum and delivered its inaugural address. He was a member of the chamber of commerce and was part of the campaign for the incorporation of the city, being elected one of its first aldermen . He began also to take a warm interest in the cause of popular education. Some of his first attempts in public speaking were at meetings which he convened at Manchester, Salford , Bolton , Rochdale and other adjacent towns, to advocate
7015-528: The general political situation. In case war should break out anyway it is their duty to intervene in favor of its speedy termination and with all their powers to utilize the economic and political crisis created by the war to arouse the people and thereby to hasten the downfall of capitalist class rule. Despite this, when the war began in 1914, the majority of the Socialist parties of the International turned on each other and sided with their respective governments in
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#17328840380537130-430: The governments of both the countries which he had so greatly benefited. Lord Palmerston offered him a baronetcy and a seat in the privy council , and the emperor of the French would gladly have conferred upon him some distinguished mark of his favour. But with characteristic disinterestedness and modesty he declined all such honours. Cobden's efforts in furtherance of free trade were always subordinated to what he deemed
7245-427: The growth of international courts and congresses which would hopefully settle international disputes between nations in a peaceful way. Sir Norman Angell in his work The Great Illusion (1910) claimed that the world was united by trade, finance, industry and communications and that therefore nationalism was an anachronism and that war would not profit anyone involved but would only result in destruction. Lord Lothian
7360-399: The highest moral purposes: the promotion of peace on earth and goodwill among men. This was his desire and hope as respects the commercial treaty with France. He was therefore deeply disappointed and distressed to find the old feeling of distrust still actively fomented by the press and some of the leading politicians of the country. In 1862 he published his pamphlet entitled The Three Panics ,
7475-418: The history of the International, ultimately proposing his own vision for a "New International" that is less reliant on large-scale international organizations. As he puts it, the New International should be "without status ... without coordination, without party, without country, without national community, without co-citizenship, without common belonging to a class." Through Derrida's use of Hamlet , he shows
7590-608: The industrialization and urbanization of Soviet Central Asia . By 1932, the Frunze -based cooperative comprised members from 14 different ethnicities who had developed an organic pathwork working language referred to as "spontánne esperanto". Being a product of the New Economic Policy , after Stalin's Great Break most internationalist communes operating in the USSR were either shut down or collectivized. In his work Banal Nationalism , critic Michael Billig argued internationalism
7705-454: The influence that Shakespeare had on Marx and Engel's work on internationalism. In his essay, "Big Leagues: Specters of Milton and Republican International Justice between Shakespeare and Marx", Christopher N. Warren makes the case that English poet John Milton also had a substantial influence on Marx and Engel's work. Paradise Lost , in particular, shows "the possibility of political actions oriented toward international justice founded outside
7820-488: The jealousy of Russian aggrandisement and the dread of Russian power were absurd exaggerations. He maintained that the future of European Turkey was in the hands of the Christian population, and that it would have been wiser for Britain to ally herself with them rather than with what he saw as the doomed and decaying Islamic power. He said in the House of Commons You must address yourselves as men of sense and men of energy, to
7935-472: The key to better international relations. In 1838, he and John Bright founded the Anti-Corn Law League , aimed at abolishing the unpopular Corn Laws , which protected landowners' interests by levying taxes on imported wheat, thus raising the price of bread. As a Member of Parliament from 1841, he fought against opposition from the Peel ministry , and abolition was achieved in 1846. Another free trade initiative
8050-482: The large states of Europe, see their potentates or statesmen, and endeavour to enforce those truths which have been irresistible at home. Why should I rust in inactivity? If the public spirit of my countrymen affords me the means of travelling as their missionary, I will be the first ambassador from the people of this country to the nations of the continent. I am impelled to this by an instinctive emotion such as has never deceived me. I feel that I could succeed in making out
8165-649: The law of the Koran [argues opposition MP Cobden], it was impossible to put the Christians of Turkey upon an equality with the Turks. We may as well ask Mr Cobden whether, with the existing State Church and laws of England, it is possible to put her working-men upon an equality with the Cobdens and the Brights?" At the beginning of 1857 tidings from China reached Britain of a rupture between
8280-528: The links between global economic competition and imperialism, and would identify this competition as being a root cause of world conflict. One of the first international organisations in the world was the International Workingmen's Association , formed in London in 1864 by working class socialist and communist political activists (including Karl Marx). Referred to as the First International, the organization
8395-420: The logical complement of free trade, namely, the promotion of peace and the reduction of naval and military armaments. He was a supporter of non-interventionism and his abhorrence of war amounted to a passion and, in fact, his campaigns against the Corn Laws were motivated by his belief that free trade was a powerful force for peace and defence against war. He knowingly exposed himself to the risk of ridicule and
8510-518: The object of which was to trace the history and expose the folly of those periodical visitations of alarm as to French designs with which Britain had been afflicted for the preceding fifteen or sixteen years. When the American Civil War threatened to break out in the United States, Cobden was deeply distressed, but after the conflict became inevitable his sympathies were wholly with the Union because
8625-583: The parliamentary stage, often gaining millions of members. Ostensibly committed to peace and anti-imperialism, the International Socialist Congress held its final meeting in Basel, Switzerland in 1912, in anticipation of the outbreak of World War I. The manifesto adopted at the Congress outlined the Second International's opposition to the war and its commitment to a speedy and peaceful resolution: If
8740-415: The part of the emperor and his ministers. There were also delays, hesitations and cavils at home, which were more inexplicable. He was, moreover, assailed with great violence by a powerful section of the British press, while the large number of minute details with which he had to deal in connection with proposed changes in the French tariff, involved a tax on his patience and industry which would have daunted
8855-439: The partners sought to lease a factory from Fort's at Sabden , near Clitheroe , Lancashire . They had, however, insufficient capital between them. Cobden and his colleagues so impressed Fort's that they consented to retain a substantial proportion of the equity. The new firm prospered and soon had three establishments – the printing works at Sabden and sales outlets in London and Manchester . The Manchester outlet came under
8970-506: The post-war Alabama Claims , he brought the question before the House of Commons in a series of speeches of rare clearness and force. Cobden was characterised from his early years by energy and sociability, but also particularly by a desire to learn and understand the traits of the world, a characteristic that stayed with him throughout his life. He had many friends from many walks of life. Disraeli commended Cobden on his careful art of avoiding to drive his arguments to an extremity, which
9085-456: The prime minister and shot dead in the street by a lunatic. However, later in the evening, Peel referred in excited and agitated tones to the remark, as an incitement to violence against his person. Peel's Tory party, catching at this hint, threw themselves into a frantic state of excitement, and when Cobden attempted to explain that he meant official, not personal responsibility, he was drowned out. Peel reversed his position and in 1846 called for
9200-412: The privilege of any man who, having fourteen years ago rendered to his country one signal service, now again, within the same brief span of life, decorated neither by land nor title, bearing no mark to distinguish him from the people he loves, has been permitted to perform another great and memorable service to his sovereign and his country." On the conclusion of this work honours were offered to Cobden by
9315-411: The prosperity of the manufacturer by affording him outlets for his products. Second, it would relieve the 'condition of England question' by cheapening the price of food and ensuring more regular employment. Third, it would make English agriculture more efficient by stimulating demand for its products in urban and industrial areas. Fourth, it would introduce through mutually advantageous international trade
9430-564: The quantity of grain imported from other countries, even when food supplies were short. The laws were supported by Conservative landowners and opposed by Whig industrialists and workers. The Anti-Corn Law League was responsible for turning public and ruling-class opinion against the laws. It was a large, nationwide, middle-class moral crusade with a utopian vision. Its leading advocate was Richard Cobden. According to historian Asa Briggs , Cobden repeatedly promised that repeal would settle four great problems simultaneously: First, it would guarantee
9545-631: The question – what are you to do with the Christian population? For Mahommedanism [Islam] cannot be maintained, and I should be sorry to see this country fighting for the maintenance of Mahommedanism ... You may keep Turkey on the map of Europe, you may call the country by the name of Turkey if you like, but do not think you can keep up the Mahommedan rule in the country. The torrent of popular sentiment in favour of war was, however, irresistible; and both Cobden and John Bright were overwhelmed with obloquy. Karl Marx wrote "And without total abandonment of
9660-441: The race of political advancement with the prospect of attaining the highest office. Lord John Russell , who, soon after the repeal of the Corn Laws, succeeded Peel as prime minister, invited Cobden to join his government but Cobden declined the invitation. Cobden had hoped to find some restorative privacy abroad but his fame had spread throughout Europe and he found himself lionised by the radical movement. In July 1846, he wrote to
9775-568: The real lessons of history. Excerpts from "Leg Dein Ohr Auf Die Schiene Der Geschichte"" Rough translation: The rest of the song takes into account other historical events important to his year of birth, as well as other events throughout his childhood which are often overlooked. The chorus implores, FK Allstars was a collaboration of several hip hop, soul , and reggae artists, including Max Herre, Sekou Neblett, Afrob, Brooke Russell, Joy Denalane and Gentleman . Despite
9890-653: The repeal of the Corn Laws. Cobden and the League had prepared the moment for years but they played little role in 1846. After Peel's aggressive politicking, the repeal of the Corn Laws passed the House of Commons on 16 May 1846 by 98 votes. Peel had formed a coalition of the Conservative leadership and a third of its MPs joining with the Whigs, with two-thirds of the Conservatives voting against him. That split Peel's Tory party and led to
10005-525: The reproach of utopianism . In 1849, he brought forward a proposal in parliament in favour of international arbitration, and, in 1851, a motion for mutual reduction of armaments. He was not successful in either case, nor did he expect to be. In pursuance of the same object, he identified himself with a series of peace congresses which from 1848 to 1851 were held successively in Brussels , Paris, Frankfurt , London, Manchester and Edinburgh . In his opposition to
10120-500: The responsibility of Lord Palmerston's administration, he was willing to act as its representative in promoting freer commercial intercourse between Britain and France . But the negotiations for this purpose originated with himself in conjunction with Bright and Michel Chevalier . Towards the close of 1859 he called upon Lord Palmerston, Lord John Russell and Gladstone, and signified his intention to visit France and get into communication with Napoleon III of France and his ministers, with
10235-520: The rocks and quicksands. The world is sadly slow to learn..." For several years Cobden was unwell with bronchial irritation and difficulty of breathing. Owing to this he had spent the winter of 1860 in Algeria , and every subsequent winter he confined himself to the house, especially in damp and foggy weather. He remained intellectually engaged in seeking international peace and other themes. On 2 April 1865 he died peacefully at his apartments in London. He
10350-789: The role of President of the Board of Trade , with a seat in the Cabinet . Many of his friends urgently pressed him to accept but without a moment's hesitation he determined to decline the proposed honour. On his arrival in London he called on Lord Palmerston, and with the utmost frankness told him that he had opposed and denounced him so frequently in public, and that he still differed so widely from his views, especially on questions of foreign policy, that he could not, without doing violence to his own sense of duty and consistency, serve under him as minister. Lord Palmerston tried good-humouredly to combat his objections, but without success. Though Cobden declined to share
10465-458: The socialist understanding of internationalism is closely related to the concept of international solidarity . Socialist thinkers such as Karl Marx , Friedrich Engels , and Vladimir Lenin argue that economic class, rather than (or interrelated with) nationality, race, or culture, is the main force which divides people in society, and that nationalist ideology is a propaganda tool of a society's dominant economic class. From this perspective, it
10580-536: The song "Halt dich an deiner Liebe fest" ( Hold on to your love ) written by Rio Reiser , voicing it on Lee "Scratch" Perry's police & thieves riddim . Freundeskreis was one of the first bands to take part in the Kolchose , a group of hip hop artists from Stuttgart . In 2001, the band took a break for the members to pursue solo careers, the most active being Herre, who has released a solo album and works as producer for his wife. A Freundeskreis greatest hits album
10695-534: The source of danger of invasion and attack, against which it was necessary to guard. This produced irritation and resentment in Paris , and but for the influence which Cobden had acquired, and the perfect trust reposed in his sincerity, the negotiations would probably have been altogether wrecked. At last, however, after nearly twelve months' incessant labour, the work was completed in November 1860. "Rare," said Mr Gladstone, "is
10810-599: The stage for the emergence of the world's first modern communist parties and the formation of the Third International in 1919. The Communist International, also known as the Comintern or the Third International, was formed in 1919 in the wake of the Russian Revolution , the end of the first World War, and the dissolution of the Second International. It was an association of communist political parties from throughout
10925-463: The two countries having entered into the arena of diplomacy, Cobden was requested by the British government to act as their plenipotentiary in the matter in conjunction with Henry Wellesley, 1st Earl Cowley , their ambassador in France. But it proved a very long and laborious undertaking. He had to contend with the bitter hostility of the French protectionists , which occasioned a good deal of vacillation on
11040-538: The very economic forces which drive world conflict. In socialist theory, world peace can only come once economic competition has been ended and class divisions within society have ceased to exist. This idea was expressed in 1848 by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in The Communist Manifesto : In proportion as the exploitation of one individual by another will also be put an end to, the exploitation of one nation by another will also be put an end to. In proportion as
11155-479: The voters of that town gave the preference to his opponent, who had supported the Russian war and approved of the proceedings at Canton. Cobden was thus relegated to private life, and retiring to his country house at Dunford, he spent his time in perfect contentment in cultivating his land and feeding his pigs. He took advantage of this season of leisure to pay another visit to the United States . During his absence
11270-543: The war effort, betraying their internationalist values and leading to the dissolution of the Second International. This betrayal led the few anti-war delegates left within the Second International to organize the International Socialist Conference at Zimmerwald, Switzerland in 1915. Known as the Zimmerwald Conference, its purpose was to formulate a platform of opposition to the war. The conference
11385-400: The world by interdependence , an idea also expressed by Adam Smith in his The Wealth of Nations and common to many liberals of the time. A belief in the idea of the moral law and an inherent goodness in human nature also inspired their faith in internationalism. Those liberal conceptions of internationalism were harshly criticized by socialists and radicals at the time, who pointed out
11500-483: The world dedicated to proletarian internationalism and the revolutionary overthrow of the world bourgeoisie. The Manifesto of the Communist International , written by Leon Trotsky , describes the political orientation of the Comintern as "against imperialist barbarism, against monarchy, against the privileged estates, against the bourgeois state and bourgeois property, against all kinds and forms of class or national oppression". The fourth and last socialist international
11615-516: Was Easter Sunday!" Cobden published How Wars are got up in India: The Origins of the Burmese War in 1853. In the work he theorized why similar disputes with the United States never culminated in war. According to Cobden, the reason was "that America is powerful and Burma weak... Britain would not have acted in this manner towards a power capable of defending itself." On the establishment of
11730-413: Was a prosperous maltster who served as bailiff and chief magistrate at Midhurst. His father William however forsook malting in favour of farming, taking over the running of Dunford Farm when Richard died in 1809. A poor business man, he sold the property when the farm failed and moved the family to a smaller farm at nearby Gullard's Oak. Conditions did not improve and by 1814, after several more moves,
11845-693: Was a socialist and believed in a world government, and classified the follies of nationalism as "an infantile sickness". Conversely, other internationalists such as Christian Lange and Rebecca West saw little conflict between holding nationalist and internationalist positions. For both intergovernmental organizations and international non-governmental organizations to emerge, nations and peoples had to be strongly aware that they shared certain interests and objectives across national boundaries and they could best solve their many problems by pooling their resources and effecting transnational cooperation, rather than through individual countries' unilateral efforts. Such
11960-524: Was an internationalist and an imperialist who in December 1914 looked forward to "the voluntary federation of the free civilised nations which will eventually exorcise the spectre of competitive armaments and give lasting peace to mankind." In September 1915, he thought the British Empire was "the perfect example of the eventual world Commonwealth ." Internationalism expressed itself in Britain through
12075-607: Was associated with the Anti-Corn Law League and the Cobden–Chevalier Treaty . As a young man, Cobden was a successful commercial traveller who became co-owner of a highly profitable calico printing factory in Sabden but lived in Manchester , a city with which he would become strongly identified. However, he soon found himself more engaged in politics, and his travels convinced him of the virtues of free trade (anti-protection) as
12190-461: Was borne out of the rise of nationalism, and rejects attempts to counterpose the two. He writes: "An outward-looking element of internationalism is part of nationalism and has accompanied the rise of nationalism historically. When US presidents, today, claim to speak simultaneously on behalf of their nation and a new world order, they are not placing, side by side in the same utterance, elements from two, clearly separate ideologies; nor are they creating
12305-506: Was dedicated to the advancement of working class political interests across national boundaries, and was in direct ideological opposition to strains of liberal internationalism which advocated free trade and capitalism as means of achieving world peace and interdependence. Other international organizations included the Inter-Parliamentary Union , established in 1889 by Frédéric Passy from France and William Randal Cremer from
12420-463: Was founded by Leon Trotsky and his followers in 1938 in opposition to the Third International and the direction taken by the USSR under the leadership of Joseph Stalin. The Fourth International declared itself to be the true ideological successor of the original Comintern under Lenin, carrying on the banner of proletarian internationalism which had been abandoned by Stalin's Comintern. A variety of still active left-wing political organizations claim to be
12535-497: Was its chief spokesman and animating spirit. He was not afraid to take his challenge in person to the agricultural landlords or to confront the working class Chartists , led by Feargus O'Connor . In 1841, Sir Robert Peel having defeated the Melbourne ministry in parliament , there was a general election , and Cobden was returned as the new member for Stockport . His opponents had confidently predicted that he would fail utterly in
12650-417: Was one secret of his singular persuasiveness. Cobden may have been disappointed that improvements in material wealth did not bring moral improvements. He wrote towards the end of his life "Nations have not yet learnt to bear prosperity, liberty, and peace. They will learn it in a higher state of civilization. We think we are the models for posterity, when we are little better than beacons to help it to avoid
12765-552: Was released in July 2007 under the title FK10 . After announcing their breakup in summer 2007, Freundeskreis gave their last concert in Stuttgart on 19 September 2007. Freundeskreis have been considered as a conscious hip-hop artist as their lyrics have educational themes. The song "Leg Dein Ohr Auf Die Schiene Der Geschichte" (lay your ear on the tracks of history) asks listeners to look beyond what they were taught in history lessons and learn
12880-526: Was returned (1847) for Stockport and for the West Riding of Yorkshire . He chose to sit for the latter. In June 1848 Richard Cobden moved his family from Manchester to Paddington, London, taking a house at 103 Westbourne Terrace. In 1847 he had also repurchased the old family home at Dunford and in 1852 or 1853 rebuilt the house there, which he then continued to occupy until his death. When Cobden returned from abroad, he addressed himself to what seemed to him
12995-844: Was the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty of 1860 , promoting closer interdependence between Britain and France . This campaign was conducted in collaboration with John Bright and French economist Michel Chevalier , and succeeded despite Parliament's endemic mistrust of the French. Cobden was born at a farmhouse called Dunford, in Heyshott near Midhurst , in Sussex . He was the fourth of 11 children born to Millicent ( née Amber) and William Cobden. His family had been resident in that neighbourhood for many generations, occupied in trade and agriculture. His grandfather, Richard Cobden, owned Bex Mill in Heyshott and
13110-400: Was the most powerful argument with which he had plied the emperor and the members of the French government, and which he had found most efficacious with them. But while he was in the midst of the negotiations, Lord Palmerston brought forward in the House of Commons a measure for fortifying the naval arsenals of Britain, which he introduced in a warlike speech pointedly directed against France, as
13225-605: Was unable to reach agreement on all points, but ultimately was able to publish the Zimmerwald Manifesto, which was drafted by Leon Trotsky. The most left-wing and stringently internationalist delegates at the conference were organized around Lenin and the Russian Social Democrats, and known as the Zimmerwald Left . They bitterly condemned the war and what they described as the hypocritical "social-chauvinists" of
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