A good article from Peter, pointing out some of the problems we face. But relying on the present system to suddenly change direction, is ridiculous in the extreme. Considering more than 70% of the populace have no interest in anything but themselves as pointed out by others posters, what changes can come about under such entrenched opposition

All previous posts have been very relevant, that's the scary part. Even with optimism, there's very little that will be done. All our politicians are doing nothing, but following their neo con direction of power, control and head in the sand.

History tells us, only calamity of the worst kind, will make us change. The only benefit we in Australia have over others, is our small population and relative isolation from the marauding hordes who'll sweep over other continents when things really collapse.

Our political system must change at the next federal election, otherwise it will be another 3 years no matter who wins, before any new approach can be attempted. By that time, it'll be way to late. We've abandoned any form of lifeline (via privatisation), for the god of economic rationalist global growth.

We not only have to overcome political ignorance, but also the ignorant masses completely entrapped in their ideologies and narrow blinded viewpoints. What's really bad, is the power for change is held by the most ignorant and useless people deeply entrapped in delusion. Current politicians, CEO's and the bureaucracy are extremely ignorant of the reality of the world, so they'll have to go first, to get any positive result.

It will be extremely interesting to see how the next federal election turns out. If the status quo is continued and no more independents get elected, you can bet your future on things only becoming worse.

As John Howard throws money at us to change to unsustainable and very limited supplies of gas, totally neglecting renewables, you have perfect picture of what our future is and what will be done about it, nothing.

We dream nite and day for a cult of new political and civic operators who combine a working knowledge of politics with a sound knowledge of the issues for the essential.

The problem is from the street in Australia it's er ... "I'm not into politics"! BLANK!

"The revitalisation of politics will have a profound effect on wider society" if civic paticipation was valued and it's diversity supported...

"Issue specialists, sidelined for decades by the combination of public relations and economic orthodoxy, will be galvanised by the realisation that their expertise matters, and will become increasingly focused in their work." This is what Helen Clarks government has done by putting ALL Aotearoa New Zealanders to work... on the economic and political - socio-cultural dynamic plan...

Single-issue groups, often locally based, will be legitimised and will revitalise local politics which is the heart and soul of politics.... if silo politic's is recognised and pro-actively STAMPED OUT!

Fair-Go Australia needs to ID it's values and accept that we are with all our differences suggesting that we want to be fair.

It is a LEARNING nation governed by "innovation" and a sense of "justice" that may help change the nature of the present entrenchment of apathies...

Critical Debate is lost through spin... even though not many believe the spin... our voices and energy to participate is lost by the mis-use of opinion, where the domination is oppressive.

AMSADL writes;

“I see no real evidence of the majority of Australians giving a stuff about issues such as global warming, integrity in politics and the like. People are so focussed on material accumulation that they have totally vacated the sphere of serious discussion about politics, society, the environment, the community, if they were ever there in the first place.”

The people expect government to do the right thing to protect our future… but they also expect them to do what they want now. These two things are increasingly at odds. What the people want now is what counts in terms of votes and holding on to power.

It prompts the question; what is the role of a democratic government – to reflect to the wishes of the people or to protect the people despite their wishes?

Peter McMahon writes;

“Rapid change is the issue, and the two major parties face a problem here.”

They do indeed. Apart from their horribly inappropriate ideologies (continuous growth instead of sustainability, amongst others), rapid change ain’t gonna happen because of the inbuilt demand by the vast majority in our community for the here and now material stuff. Rapid change will only happen after we really feel the pinch. Thus change will forever follow behind the manifestations of policies that have appeased the here and now.

“Of course, the cause of all this will be the emerging threat of catastrophe as strange weather and rising oil prices signify an unprecedented challenge facing modern humankind.”

Yes but change will follow hard times. Change will NOT occur to any significant extent in anticipation of difficult times ahead.

The very doctrine of democracy (governments reflecting the will of the people) will hold us back and ensure that the consequences of our unsustainable actions are much worse than they could be if we lived in a benign autocracy or a perceptive socialist regime.

“John Howard is a tired old man with tired old ideology….”

Unfortunately Wildcat, Howard is not a tired old man, he’s full of beans (:>() . But yes it certainly is a tired old ideology.

Timely article, Peter, and it seems so far all the Posters are in agreement, but as many of them say, as yet there is no recipe much for change. Its so astounding that economic rationalism has held the floor for so long. And it looks like until we all speak for either a newer way, or just a simple return to a well proven way, like Keynesian mixed politico-economics, which pretty well ran Western politics from when it helped tide us through the Great Depression and through WW2 and beyond.

A time when the US was regarded as top of the bill for initiating the astoundingly successful Marshall Plan. Now
us oldies are looking back and wondering what in hell these smart-arse youngsters are doing to our world? Especially as economic rationalism up our way in the bush, began with the phrase get big or get out.

Looks like its all about ready to backfire.

Anyway, go for it, you younger contributors to Peter's audience, reckon most oldies like me are right behind you.

Good stuff Bushbred

In my experience, as a relative young’n of late forties vintage, a lot of the older set can see very clearly what is happening… much more clearly than the young cohort which seems to be hooked into here and now materialism and who seem to be caught up in that paradox that I mentioned in my last post – of wanting government to pander to their immediate wishes but (almost as an afterthought) also protect their future wellbeing… without in any way realising the existence of this paradox.

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Peter McMahon is one of the better regular contributors of articles to this forum. 8 this year, and all very good. A total of 56. Excellent effort.

Two points:
Politics has always been a struggle between special interest groups. the only change is the nature of the special interests being served. We seem to be entering a phase when the one might define the special interest groups as public interest groups (PIGs) who argue among themselves how best to serve the public interest as a way of earning a living.
Their arguments have liitle traction in the real world (eg what action have over 50% of the population taken that will have any measurable impact on climate change? I'm cheating with this question because in real terms there is no practical action that can be taken in Australia.)

The second point is that the future of society lies in ever increasing globalisation. Parochial issues like energy security for WA are a non-issue only supporting an unnecessary level of Goverment. The only rational reason to reserve gas for WA domestic use is to lower its price (We will always be able to get energy if we are prepared to pay the going price). Once WA has a monopoly retailer of gas in receipt of the reserved gas (private or Public) any real price benefit will be frittered away by various monopoly practices.

A reasonable role (not the only one perhaps) for a small regional government is to take every action it can to increase the potential of its people. Such actions will enable the people of the region to increase their well being to the maximum they want.

However the action of the PIG's will ensure we will have ever more bread and circus buying off the policy (intellectual)elites. It is interesting to note these elite groups are becoming increasingly hereditory as a group. It would be interesting to see how interbred they are.