Financial crisis, social democracy and social policy

This connects with a political insistence on the rise of a new form of meritocracy, which can also be prejudicial and ultimately discriminatory against those with socially defined lesser abilities or different abilities. Young argues that what one is born with, or without, is not of one's own doing. To put it in a more crude form of discourse, being a member of the “lucky sperm club” confers no moral right to advantage.

Another, good example in the field of such progressive policies for the disabled/differently abled is found in Australia's Federal Labor government led by Prime Minister Rudd. The initiative, to be overseen by Bill Shorten as the parliamentary secretary for disabilities and children services, seeks to reduce the stigmas created by the neoliberal agenda of global social and economic reform. In a speech to the West Australian Disability Collective, Shorten spoke optimistically about the political processes that are addressing disability. As he puts it:

In politics, there is no premium on bad news. The premium is on the good news, the announcables, the releases, the positive stories, but I believe in disability - if we're to move to the positive, taking nothing away from the many accomplishments of many people over many years and decades - we have to promote and recognise the bad news.

Shorten was quick to point out, as an Australian politician, that Australians are not malicious. Unfortunately though, we still have a two-class society when it comes to disability and impairment. He continued:

Like all prejudice, prejudice against people with impairments is an opinion not sustained by any fact. In fact, it is born of ignorance and a lack of empathy for the experiences of others.

Will this government policy initiative to counter the stigma associated with disability make much of a difference? We shall have to wait and see. But at least we can hope that the global economic crisis has sharpened people's awareness of the need for careful policies that truly care for the vulnerable and those who tend to be left behind in the mad rush of political lobbying by well financed lobby groups. It's my belief that Bill Shorten's efforts deserve to be strongly supported.