The Observer - Context and History

History and Context of The Observer:

Origins:

The first issue, published on 4 December 1791 by W.S. Bourne, was the world's first Sunday newspaper. Believing that the paper would be a means of wealth, Bourne instead soon found himself facing debts of nearly £1,600. Though early editions purported editorial independence, Bourne attempted to cut his losses and sell the title to the government. When this failed, Bourne's brother (a wealthy businessman) made an offer to the government, which also refused to buy the paper but agreed to subsidise it in return for influence over its editorial content. As a result, the paper soon took a strong line against radicals such as Thomas Paine, Francis Burdett and Joseph Priestley.

Political Alignment - Centre Left:

Having a political alignment of centre left means that they would usually have ideologies similar to, or the same as social democracy, social liberalism, progressivism, democratic socialism and green politics:

• Social Democracy refers to a social, political and economic ideology that culminates into a socialist system and style of government attained through democratic means
• Social Liberalism refers to a variety of liberalism that endorses a regulated free market economy as well as the expansion of civil and political rights.
• Progressivism refers to the support or advocacy for improvement of society via reform. As a philosophy, it is based on the idea of progress. This asserts that advancement is science, technology, economic development and social organisation are vital to the improvement of the human condition.
• Democratic Socialism refers to a political philosophy that advocates political democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production, with an emphasis on self-management and democratic management.
• Green Politics refers to a political ideology that aims to create an ecologically sustainable society rooted in environmentalism, nonviolence, social justice and grassroots democracy.