For the common good

For the common good

We live in a free society that allows us personal and economic freedoms unseen in a large part of the world. We also live in a free market society which allows the capitalistic system to dominate the market place. This system relies on self-interest or as some put it “greed” to operate.

Most also agree that public institutions are need to stop this greed from preventing the beneficial behaviour of free markets from operating, or to protect the common good. These include Parliaments that create laws, Courts that interpret and enforce them, police, a free press to report it, statutory bodies and so on.

But do you as an individual only do things because you think you will not get caught or because you risk being punished? Of course not. Our behaviour in all fields; Personal, Business, Political, and community is influenced by our notions of fairness, conventions, custom, community norms, morality and so forth.

That is why it is difficult to see our politicians caught up in the recent travel rorts scandal from the Prime Minister down. But in a system which has seen:

·         A cynical scare campaign on the GST by the Labor party against the Howard Government.

·         The Howards governments’ unethical campaign against “The boat people Refugees” and its continuation of it by successive governments but specifically the conservative parties. Parties on both side race to the bottom in a racist scramble to nowhere.

·         The dishonest scare campaign mounted by the Abbot Liberal/Nationals opposition against the Carbon Tax and The Mining Tax.

·         The recent short sighted rivalry and unscrupulous dealings by certain elements in the Federal Labor party. A characteristic of all parties if protagonists see an advantage in it.

·         The inexorable rise of  groups representing powerful interest groups and industries that have seen them prepared to spend and promote their interests at the expense of the common good and good government.

·         The corruption of the media by powerful vested interests that distort the dissemination of news in a blatant and destructive fashion.

 

Many more examples can be given of a loss of principal and restraint in the political realm which threatens the reform and good governance performance of any government.

In our business life large remote corporations and monopolies have come to dominate at the expense of the local businesses. They show less and less restraint in their behaviour and excesses threatening the very fabric of “the fair society.”

On an individual level are we caught up in greed of “the system” at the expense of our community? Just ask any volunteer, sporting or community club if they can attract members willing to serve for the good of their community.

When conventions of decent, fair, sharing behaviour break down, our community will be the much poorer for it and the very reason why so many people from around the world want to live here will disappear.

"A healthy democracy requires a decent society; it requires that we are honourable, generous, tolerant and respectful."
Charles W. Pickering

 

Be a citizen first and a consumer second!
For your consideration.

John Condliffe
17.10.13

 

PS: The recent situation in the US where politicians are prepared to inflict pain and destruction on their country because of ideology and self-interest is the same road we are on. When restraint gives way to opportunism then democracy is unviable. Look at any of any of the failed states of the world and you will see this in action to the detriment of its whole fabric.

Inspired by an article written by Ross Gittens –The Age October the 7^th 2013. http://www.smh.com.au/business/by/Ross-Gittins