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A review by drillvoice
Australia Fair: Listening to the Nation: Quarterly Essay 73 by Rebecca Huntley
3.0
This was a pleasant enough read: it didn't say that much, but it didn't take too long to say it, either.
Drawing upon her experience in social research, Huntley argues that Australians are, by and large, more progressive than our politics would have you believe. This includes a preference for redistributive taxation policy, a fairer housing system, and action on global warming. That said, it also includes a strong preference for boat turn backs and mandatory detention, perhaps belying Huntley's argument. This is all used for a worthwhile discussion of what it means to be a "social democrat" in the 21st century, and how past leaders have failed to adopt social democracy for the needs of the present.
The essay is clearly written with a view to the impending election and is virtually written to Bill Shorten and the ALP. In this, it feels a little too supplicatory. Huntley makes good points about what we could expect from a new ALP government. However, to then argue that the ALP should take bold action on important issues /because polling shows there is support for such action/ seems problematic. Especially given where 'the public' seems to stand on refugees, I'm wary of any argument that says a political party should draw inspiration from what focus groups are telling them.
Huntley also struggles to reconcile the fact that voters, despite their stated preferences, continue to vote for parties that have no intention of bringing in popular policies. Indeed, she highlights voter concern for the environment, only to highlight that these concerned voters largely vote for the ALP, and also for the Liberals. Given the environmental records of both parties, this is hardly evidence that voting decisions accord with the stated policy preferences of voters.
Rather, there is plenty of strong evidence for what actually influences voting decisions. George Lakoff and Drew Westen come to mind as authors who have explored this and come up with a much more robust model for understanding how and why voters support parties whose policies they oppose. Huntley's disregard of these thinkers is a disservice to the reader, but also to the ALP - who could surely benefit from a better understanding of how to appeal to the voting public.
Drawing upon her experience in social research, Huntley argues that Australians are, by and large, more progressive than our politics would have you believe. This includes a preference for redistributive taxation policy, a fairer housing system, and action on global warming. That said, it also includes a strong preference for boat turn backs and mandatory detention, perhaps belying Huntley's argument. This is all used for a worthwhile discussion of what it means to be a "social democrat" in the 21st century, and how past leaders have failed to adopt social democracy for the needs of the present.
The essay is clearly written with a view to the impending election and is virtually written to Bill Shorten and the ALP. In this, it feels a little too supplicatory. Huntley makes good points about what we could expect from a new ALP government. However, to then argue that the ALP should take bold action on important issues /because polling shows there is support for such action/ seems problematic. Especially given where 'the public' seems to stand on refugees, I'm wary of any argument that says a political party should draw inspiration from what focus groups are telling them.
Huntley also struggles to reconcile the fact that voters, despite their stated preferences, continue to vote for parties that have no intention of bringing in popular policies. Indeed, she highlights voter concern for the environment, only to highlight that these concerned voters largely vote for the ALP, and also for the Liberals. Given the environmental records of both parties, this is hardly evidence that voting decisions accord with the stated policy preferences of voters.
Rather, there is plenty of strong evidence for what actually influences voting decisions. George Lakoff and Drew Westen come to mind as authors who have explored this and come up with a much more robust model for understanding how and why voters support parties whose policies they oppose. Huntley's disregard of these thinkers is a disservice to the reader, but also to the ALP - who could surely benefit from a better understanding of how to appeal to the voting public.