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Dissent, nr 16 (Summer 2004/2005)
EDITORIAL: argues that far from being good economic managers, the Howard government has jerry-built the economy on a mountain of
foreign debt.
This will lead to rising interest rates and the opportunity for Labor
to win the next election if it can couch its traditional egalitarian
concerns in a credible alternative economic policy.
IAN MANNING argues the so-called Australian miracle economy is built on a mountain of household debt financed by foreign
borrowings by the banks against the security of a property bubble. The question is whether the fallout can be managed to minimise
interest rate rises and unemployment or whether there will be a repeat of the 1990 or even 1890 recessions.
JOHN M LEGGE shows how the Howard government’s budget deficit phobia has drained liquidity from the economy, suppressed
investment in physical and
human infrastructure, promoted speculation and stifled genuine
entrepreneurial innovation necessary to avoid a financial crisis.
DENIS KENNY discusses the rise of religion and the decline of democracy. He suggests that religion has become an increasingly
powerful force, not just in the Muslim and Hindu world, but also in the Christian world allegedly dominated by the
techno-scientific rationality of the European Enlightenment.
DOUG COCKS asks what we can learn from John Burton, former head of Foreign affairs in the Chifley government and, for the last 50
years, a leading world scholar in the area of conflict avoidance and conflict resolution.
BRIAN ELLIS wants to develop the Aristototelian conception of eudemonia (human flourishing) to fill the ideological gap that left
the welfare state so defenceless when it came under attack by neoliberal ideologues in the 1980s. He spells out a new social
contract which defines the system of government, institutions, procedures, customs and values in all societies.
PAT RANALD shows that AUSFTA fails to deliver any significant benefits for Australia’s agriculture, manufacturing and
service industries. AUSFTA undermines Australian laws, regulations and the capacity to provide and regulate essential services,
and it imposes US laws and regulations insofar as they advantage American trade and commerce.
BRYN DAVIES focuses on AUSFTA’s implications for Australian intellectual property and communications industries. He shows
AUSFTA’s intellectual property ‘harmonisation’ provisions are identical to proposals the US failed to get
approved within the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organisation because of their bias towards US interests.
PAUL MEES argues that Melbourne and Sydney rail networks are operating well below capacity. Melbourne’s city loop built in
1969 ensures the city had enough capacity to absorb any conceivable increase in demand and Sydney’s urban rail system
carries fewer passengers than half a century ago, despite additions to rolling stock and additions to the network.
JULIE WELLS says it is widely understood that spending on education is a sound social investment and yet government spending on
education is static or falling because of an ideological commitment to competition and private provision.
CHARLES LIVINGSTONE examines the Howard government’s enthusiasm for Medicare and points out that while it was prepared to
spend more money on health than the opposition, the big issues – whether the resources are going to improve the health care
of the needy or the problem of cost shifting between the commonwealth and states – still need to be addressed.
JOHN BRADFORD contends that the political survival of Howard, Bush and probably Blair is a sign of democratic un-health because
the lies told to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq confirm the ‘larger truth’ – that sectional and selfish
interests come first. Voters do not want information that makes them confront the gulf between the facts and their moral values.
AURIOL WEIGOLD discusses the Community Development Employment Program and argues that it can be judged a success if it is seen as
a welfare program rather than an employment program.
From his perspective as research officer for the ACTU, GRANT BELCHAMBER looks at the breakdown in relations between the industrial
and parliamentary wings of the ALP and discusses the implications for social democracy.
NOTE FOR EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: D!SSENT NO 16 SUMMER 2004/2005 is on sale now at newsagents and good bookshops (cover price
$7.70). For permission to reprint articles, or for interviews, contact Kenneth Davidson or Lesley Vick on tel/fax 02 6260 4213 or
email dissentmagazine@ozemail.com.au
