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The Coalition: a misunderstood political entity in universities? : Comments
By Chris Lewis, published 12/1/2009Finding a balance between compassion and competitiveness is important for any sophisticated society and liberal democracy.
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Not bad at all. Well done a very readable, measured and reasoned piece especially given your Labor sensitivities.
I think you went some way to addressing one of my biggest bug bears that of the standard left/right ideological either or, ‘welded on' mentality of politics.
So much time and effort is wasted asserting the differentiation it seems to me that the real goal "fitness to govern" is lost in the 'noise'. Choices are made too either too selfishly or simplistically, who tickles my hip pocket nerve best (short term mentality) or who's minders are the best at the PR game (Popularist politics aka Mob rule).
I agree academics are partially to blame with their idealized perspective of political gardening (Concentrating on the flowers) while ignoring the less attractive human motivation (pragmatism) to do the work.
I also think you could include
• The politicians’ ( self centred ambitions)
• Party politics tendency towards the lowest common denominator.
• The media whose head lines are sensational and tend to have the depth of the media they physically appear on (paper or screen)
• Business’ excessive selfishness and indifference to the people in favour of endless growth.
• And people for their laziness/selfishness to allow the above and not complain enough.
Perhaps in a follow up you could address the Australia’s confused attitude to the point of a nation in that we are fiercely nationalistic yet we most often don’t see past our own interests to the detriment of the nation as a whole.
Cheer
Examinator ant