A SECOND question in a series of four to a community member in the lead up to this year’s George Kerferd Briscoe Oration titled 'The Fragility of Democracy' has been answered. Former high-profile political journalist and current affairs television presenter Barrie Cassidy will deliver the 22nd oration to be held at the Beechworth Memorial Hall on July 7. Beechworth’s Dr Alan Randall has responded to the question posed by the Kerferd Oration committee “In Australia and overseas, democratic political processes appear to be fracturing alongside a rise in populism. Why is this happening?”. “Democratic political processes are changing worldwide due to the interaction of complex global, sociocultural and personal factors,” he said. “Particularly in the USA where ‘fracturing’ - symbolically, the storming of Congress - has been incited by Populism, which is currently evident elsewhere such as in France, Bulgaria, and historically, in Russia (anti-Tsarist sentiment), McCarthyism and Latin American nations. “In Australia, populist elements have been seen in the minor parties – One Nation and Palmer United. “The definition of Populism is a political approach not an ideology with a strategy to obtain and gain power, striving to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups such as big industry/banks and lobby groups. “Causes are attributed to people feeling victimised by rising income inequality among individuals, wealth concentrated in the hands of the few, stagnating middle class incomes, jobs for the working class being taken over by cheap labour/imported goods. “Many feel downtrodden by forces over which they have no control and such restriction compels expression of their anger, and then to fervently seek someone to believe in and to rescue them from current and future insecurity. “In Australia this is manifested in such things as decreased ease of home ownership, rental accommodation costs, rising cost of living and global warming with despair so great that many will ignore any contradictory facts presented. “Populism is propelled by the digital revolution, especially social media where a preferred attitude is reinforced by being led to like-minded opinion pieces - confirmation bias. “TV news and printed media are rarely independent/unbiased, especially when commercially driven (such as Fox News and Murdoch Press), endorsing editorial preferences and purveying sensationalised content to increase market share. “Populism is certainly rising in Australia - support for Trump’s candidacy was 11 per cent here in 2016, but 29 per cent in a recent poll. “Perhaps Indi represents an alternative - inclusivity and tolerance promoted by Cathy McGowan’s widespread ‘kitchen table’ conversations, and social justice as sponsored by Helen Haines. Hope remains." For more information about the free event starting at 11am visit www.kerferdoration.org.au.
