scott-australianlabor-2004.pdf (347.98 kB)
The Australian Labor Party and its various constituencies
This paper discusses whether and how the Australian Labor Party (ALP) can balance the arguably conflicting interests and outlooks of its blue-collar 'heartland' and the socially progressive, middle-class, professional elements of its constituency. The paper includes analysis, in socio-geographical detail and in historical perspective, of the results of the November 2001 national Australian election as well as opinion poll trends and academic survey results and interpretations before and since that time. Debate intensified after Labor’s 2001 election defeat about the supposedly irreconcilable character of different Labor Party constituencies. Much of this debate however was (and remains) characterised by derogatory and judgemental categorisations of various ill-defined social groups. On the eve of the 2004 national Australian election, based on careful consideration of a range of demographic and electoral evidence, this paper contends that, while there are, at times, conflicting interests and outlooks between different elements of the ALP's constituency (just as there is amid the support base of many social democratic parties in western nations), the party's electoral future will be best served by standing on and extending as far as possible the considerable common ground between these various elements. This common ground, it is argued, consists of egalitarian economic policies which promote security in people's lives and which thus build scope for the pursuit and acceptance of more compassionate, outward looking social policies. Its consolidation requires leadership by the Party in shaping public opinion rather than mere reaction to what is assumed to be static public opinion.
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Event
Australian Political Studies Association. Conference (2004 : Adelaide, South Australia)Pagination
1 - 18Publisher
APSALocation
Adelaide, S. Aust.Place of publication
[Adelaide, S. Aust.]Start date
2004-09-29End date
2004-10-01Language
engNotes
Reproduced with the kind permission of the copyright owner.Publication classification
E1.1 Full written paper - refereedCopyright notice
2004, APSAEditor/Contributor(s)
[Unknown]Title of proceedings
APSA 2004 : Proceedings of the Australian Political Studies Association 2004Usage metrics
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