Beyond Left and Right

Social democratic politics is light on content these days. Traditionally the voices of ‘the left’ have called for a better distribution of economic benefits. To ensure equity, they rely on government rather than private provision, and on heavy regulation. But as western societies age, income tax bases decline and universal public entitlements escalate in cost, the approach to pressing issues of public policy by many social democratic political parties have become limp, even outmoded.

They have been slow to embrace the benefits of market solutions in human services. They even demonise markets, if only to gain ‘product differentiation’ in the political debate. Yet public policy solutions require more than ‘spin’ and posturing. Well-reasoned analysis and rational robust frameworks susceptible to close scrutiny and assessment ultimately prevail. Only then will alternative policies receive support and will their architects gain credibility.

In the Federal Labor Party, many policy architects present their brand of ‘plans’ for Australia.  Recently the most famous was former leader Mark Latham. Current shadow ministers Wayne Swan and Lindsay Tanner have also made valuable contributions across the economic and social challenges facing Australia.  Now Dr. Craig Emerson, chair of Labor’s economics committee, has weighed into the debate with an intelligent and provocative book. It clearly approaches social and economic issues from the right of the party.  His starting point alone will win him friends and foes. But it will also put some energy into a staid policy making process that is more influenced by timidity than nerve.

Emerson’s challenge was to outline a series of policy positions that could withstand intellectual scrutiny and at the same time could reverberate with the instincts of an old social democratic party.  He has embarked on a project which can help shape a ‘New Labor’ on the political scene.   In Vital Signs, Vibrant Society, Emerson has demonstrated not only the breadth of his insights but also the landscape a modern political party must traverse if it is to gain popular appeal. He does not limit his discussion to macro economics. He also moves, somewhat less confidently, through specific segments of the economy, including the unfamiliar areas of health and aged care.  Here his critics may find fertile ground.  Emerson’s propensity to accept the private provision of services and to encourage personal savings and insurance schemes will unsettle his party