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What price our free democracy?

by Simon Longstaff

Tony Blair's recent address to the British Labour Party's annual conference saw him turn to the 'big picture' of international affairs and the state of the world.

His ideas earned him equal measures of praise and condemnation.

A particular target for comment was his contention that the recent terrorist attacks in the United States have put into 'flux' the pieces of the 'kaleidoscope' of history.

Blair's point was both simple and challenging: we have a historic opportunity to change the architecture of the world for the benefit of all.

That is, the world (and especially the powerful and affluent of the world) faces a moment of choice in which we can recast the die in favour of a future in which every person has the freedom to develop their potential as a human being.

Much of the criticism of Tony Blair has come from those who think that he argues from either a position of naive utopianism or moral bankruptcy.

However, whatever one might think of the particular conclusion he reaches, it seems difficult to deny the power of his point about the possibility (and even the moral necessity) of choice in a world of flux.

The 'opportunity to choose' has special resonance for Australians during the course of a federal election. Although our choices will probably not have large-scale, international ramifications, they will shape the destiny of ordinary Australians for at least the rest of this decade.

So, we need to be careful to ensure that our political process works to address the long-term issues we face as a nation and not only the immediate challenges of the moment.

For example, while issues of national security are obviously important at this time, we need to stay true to the task of asking ourselves deep questions about the quality and character of the society in which we wish to live.

Yes, we want to be safe. Yes, we want to protect our way of life. However, what is it that we seek to protect? What is this 'way of life' that we would be prepared to defend?

I venture to say that, for all the mythic overtones of our past, there is some truth to be found in the claim that Australians still identify with basic ideas such as the fundamental equality of all and the idea of a 'fair go".

I also think that we have an underlying sense of ourselves as freedom-loving people who are quietly proud of a democracy that is truly founded on the consent of the people. As we celebrate the Centenary of Federation, we should recall that Australia was born out of choice rather than necessity.

I believe that these aspects of our character and history give a particular flavour to our style of democracy. Our governments have considerable latitude when they act in our name.

In the course of ensuring our security there is a risk that they might be tempted to limit our freedoms, disturb our easy-going nature and undermine our tendency to trust each other. Well-intentioned people, driven by the spur of necessity, may even think to save us from ourselves, which is, in the end, the ultimate betrayal of the democratic ideal.'

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