John Sommer, Martin Cooper and Lyn A Dade respond to an article by Alastair Campbell on teaching politics in primary school
Alastair Campbell inadvertently but accurately summed up everything that is wrong with politics in this country when he suggested that “arguing” could be the name for teaching politics in schools (Politics should be taught in primary schools, Alastair Campbell says, 25 May). Arguing is a sterile, counterproductive activity if it does not have a philosophical base. Simple philosophical ideas do have a place in every child’s life from an early age. Some of the words form part of early vocabulary.
How often do adults explore with children words such as fair, kind and share? How often are the consequences of doing what you want discussed beyond the immediate and practical? If politics or arguing is to go beyond pure self-interest, it needs a philosophical base. Rooting it in the real world with its limitations and resources is where economics comes in. Philosophy, politics and economics in primary school should be seen as basic life skills and embedded in the curriculum. The performance of PPE graduates in parliament seems to indicate that it is a university course of little merit in character-building.
John Sommer
Saltford, Bristol
