crafty, and pretty low down, but he wouldn’t have been giving Niccolo Machiavelli any lessons, because I’d realised what he was up to within a few seconds of typing ‘male privilege’ and ‘patriarchy’. Both terms belonged to the most radical feminist ideologies, used by extremists who’d lost all touch with the fundamental need for equality. Had I based my argument on what I found on the net I’d have been laughed out of the building, which might very well have been the end of my political aspirations.
Stephen’s idea was far better, a little idealistic perhaps but that would probably be expected of me. It also made sense, because I’ve always felt that there should be somebody for everybody, and if people were just a bit less hung up about sex then nobody would need to sell it, or buy it. The only problem was that it didn’t really answer the question, except in that state-run brothels might make paid sex seem the norm. That part needed work, but I felt I was ready to discuss my ideas with Dr James McLean.
Violet had passed on a message to say that he and the other two speakers would be meeting in the White Horse rather than the Chamber bar, allowing us to discuss our position without fear of being overheard. Given Dr McLean’s reputation and his casual suggestion that I should be dealt with in some unspecified but presumably kinky fashion, I was glad that there would be four of us there, but as it turned out he was polite and friendly, while the other two speakers were also female undergraduates, although third years rather than first. After making the introductions and a little casual chat, he got down to business.
‘Do you all know Giles Lancaster?’
We nodded as one.
‘Then you’ll know the angle he’s likely to take; bread and circuses to keep the masses quiet, meanwhile eliminating the crime associated with prostitution by undercutting private enterprise, which in this case means traffickers, pimps and other thoroughly unpleasant people, an idea which has plenty of popular appeal. He used much the same arguments in the debate on the legalisation of drugs last Hilary term, as Komali and Susan will remember, and their side won. I have some ideas on how we combat the approach, but I’d like to hear yours first. Poppy?’
‘Um … OK. Essentially I want to argue that state-controlled brothels legitimise the concept of sex as a commodity.’
‘Which you regard as a bad thing?’
‘Yes. Sex should be a shared experience between loving, consenting adults, surely?’
‘OK. Let me ask you a question. Will you concede that a disabled person, perhaps in a wheelchair, still has a sex drive?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘And that they have the right to express their sexuality?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Now let’s take it a step further. He, or she, is also ugly and socially inept. How are they going to find their loving, consenting partner?’
‘Dating agencies, something online perhaps?’
‘Do you really think that would work?’
‘Sometimes, maybe … OK, not very often.’
‘Hardly ever, I expect. Realistically, their only opportunity for sexual expression will be to pay.’
‘I see what you’re getting at, but you seem to be arguing for the proposal, not against?’
‘Not at all. My argument supports sex work as a valid profession, but that in no way implies it should be controlled exclusively by the state.’
‘OK, I’m sorry. Obviously that wasn’t such a good idea.’
‘Not at all. I’m merely playing devil’s advocate, but the opposition might very well put forward the same argument.’
‘What do you think I should say then?’
‘Your point is valid, but needs to be qualified, while I’d also like the four of us to be singing from the same song sheet. One argument in favour of our position, and I expect the one Giles himself would use if he was on our side, is the capitalist argument, which is self-explanatory.’
He glanced between us and I was pleased to see
Stephen’s idea was far better, a little idealistic perhaps but that would probably be expected of me. It also made sense, because I’ve always felt that there should be somebody for everybody, and if people were just a bit less hung up about sex then nobody would need to sell it, or buy it. The only problem was that it didn’t really answer the question, except in that state-run brothels might make paid sex seem the norm. That part needed work, but I felt I was ready to discuss my ideas with Dr James McLean.
Violet had passed on a message to say that he and the other two speakers would be meeting in the White Horse rather than the Chamber bar, allowing us to discuss our position without fear of being overheard. Given Dr McLean’s reputation and his casual suggestion that I should be dealt with in some unspecified but presumably kinky fashion, I was glad that there would be four of us there, but as it turned out he was polite and friendly, while the other two speakers were also female undergraduates, although third years rather than first. After making the introductions and a little casual chat, he got down to business.
‘Do you all know Giles Lancaster?’
We nodded as one.
‘Then you’ll know the angle he’s likely to take; bread and circuses to keep the masses quiet, meanwhile eliminating the crime associated with prostitution by undercutting private enterprise, which in this case means traffickers, pimps and other thoroughly unpleasant people, an idea which has plenty of popular appeal. He used much the same arguments in the debate on the legalisation of drugs last Hilary term, as Komali and Susan will remember, and their side won. I have some ideas on how we combat the approach, but I’d like to hear yours first. Poppy?’
‘Um … OK. Essentially I want to argue that state-controlled brothels legitimise the concept of sex as a commodity.’
‘Which you regard as a bad thing?’
‘Yes. Sex should be a shared experience between loving, consenting adults, surely?’
‘OK. Let me ask you a question. Will you concede that a disabled person, perhaps in a wheelchair, still has a sex drive?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘And that they have the right to express their sexuality?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. Now let’s take it a step further. He, or she, is also ugly and socially inept. How are they going to find their loving, consenting partner?’
‘Dating agencies, something online perhaps?’
‘Do you really think that would work?’
‘Sometimes, maybe … OK, not very often.’
‘Hardly ever, I expect. Realistically, their only opportunity for sexual expression will be to pay.’
‘I see what you’re getting at, but you seem to be arguing for the proposal, not against?’
‘Not at all. My argument supports sex work as a valid profession, but that in no way implies it should be controlled exclusively by the state.’
‘OK, I’m sorry. Obviously that wasn’t such a good idea.’
‘Not at all. I’m merely playing devil’s advocate, but the opposition might very well put forward the same argument.’
‘What do you think I should say then?’
‘Your point is valid, but needs to be qualified, while I’d also like the four of us to be singing from the same song sheet. One argument in favour of our position, and I expect the one Giles himself would use if he was on our side, is the capitalist argument, which is self-explanatory.’
He glanced between us and I was pleased to see