Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Democracy and wishful thinking

By Chris Lewis - posted Wednesday, 16 February 2022


Of course, the US, as the most powerful democracy, does have immense cleavages to overcome with a median of 89 per cent across the other 16 advanced economies in 2021 noting that racial/ethnic discrimination alone was a major challenge for US society with only a median of just 17 per cent considering American democracy to be a good model for other countries to follow.

While growing economic inequality in the US still affects blacks most, the current situation provides an opportunity for political leadership to address dissatisfaction about growing inequality, as the need to maintain a strong middle class is crucial given that a greater income share by the rich and the poor means that “the wealthy can exert disproportionate influence on public policy because economic resources can be translated into political power”.

However, although one view argues that Trump’s tax and economic reforms addressed inequality by improving the situation of low-income black workers most, the rise of Trump did successfully exploit views that Washington policy elites were corrupt, most media sources were fake, greater national protection was needed to address the economy and immigration, and conservative cultural messages on religion, abortion and gay rights needed to be promoted.

Advertisement

Although support for Trump’s divisive approach remains influential within Republic circles, this does not necessarily mean that US liberal democracy will implode.

While the separation of powers in the US political system makes legislation difficult to achieve, certainly much harder than the Australia’s federal political system which has achieved a much fairer economic-social policy mix over many decades, it still provides an important constraint on any populist leader hell-bent on eroding institutions for the sake of power.  

Despite recent fears about a conservative dominated Supreme Court, with three judges appointed by President Trump, it refused Trump’s bid to block the release of White House records concerning the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol and the disruption of the certification of the 2020 electoral count, as any confidentiality of internal White House communications was outweighed by the need for full accountability.  

However, in line with the reality that all people have a right to express and promote their views, reflecting their rights within a legitimate and progressive liberal democracy, the US may change its mind on difficult questions.

While the conservative dominated Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian, and transgender employees from discrimination based on sex, it may overturn Roe v. Wade during 2022 to allow states to set their own abortion rules, thus reversing nearly 50 years of legal precedent which gave pregnant women greater liberty to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.  

No one really knows how policy trends in any liberal democracy will play out, as the US experience highlights.  

Advertisement

In agreement with those who warnof another major stock market crash occurring given the current bubble, after years of governments promoting very low interest rates to encourage spending (now with higher inflation), it remains to be seen to what extent domestic attitudes implode in the face of another major economic recession should it occur.

With future economic turmoil, issues relating to freedoms and policy outcomes will affect all societies in some form, including the affluent liberal democracies as their people retain the freedom to support different policy ideas and many may again embrace shared language, customs, and history to again urge change.

That is just how the world is, and any discussion of a supposed decline of advanced liberal democracies should reflect the related policy difficulties that face any nation, never mind the poorer nations with far fewer resources who will always be much more vulnerable to the appeal and dominance of elites and authoritarianism. 

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

5 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Chris Lewis, who completed a First Class Honours degree and PhD (Commonwealth scholarship) at Monash University, has an interest in all economic, social and environmental issues, but believes that the struggle for the ‘right’ policy mix remains an elusive goal in such a complex and competitive world.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Chris Lewis

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 5 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy