Report reveals ‘shocking’ number of Australians unsatisfied with ‘democracy’

Key Concepts

McKinnon Index: A survey measuring public satisfaction with democracy.
Liberal Democracy: A form of democracy that protects individual rights and civil liberties, preventing majority rule from infringing on minority rights.
Christian Democracy: A historical model of democracy where moral and ethical considerations, often rooted in Christian values, influenced political decision-making.
Mob Rule: A pejorative term for democracy when perceived as driven by the whims of the majority without regard for morality or established principles.
Social Cohesion: The degree to which members of a society feel connected and committed to the society.

Public Satisfaction with Democracy in Australia

The inaugural McKinnon index, surveying 4,000 Australians, revealed concerning levels of dissatisfaction with the functioning of democracy. Key findings include:

Overall Satisfaction: Fewer than 55% of respondents expressed satisfaction with how democracy works, indicating just over half believe it is functioning properly.
Election Fairness: Less than 50% considered elections to be free and fair, a "startling number."
Voting Motivation: 17% of voters cited avoiding fines as their primary reason for participating in elections.
Trust in Politicians: Fewer than 36% trusted federal politicians as a whole.
Trust in Political Parties: Trust in political parties was highest among men aged 18-24.
Justification of Political Violence: A significant 9% (nearly one in ten) believed violence can be justified for political causes.
Belief in Alternative Systems: 24% (a quarter of respondents) believed democracy is not the best form of government.

Concerns and Interpretations of the Survey Results

The survey results have prompted discussion about the state of democracy and leadership.

Leaders Not Delivering: A primary interpretation is that leaders are failing to deliver, leading to a loss of trust and faith among the populace. This is seen as a sign of an ineffective government that needs to rebuild public confidence for a "stronger Australia."
Rise of Populism and Authenticity: The example of Andrew Yang in New York is cited, where a declared socialist is perceived as authentic and responsive to voters' desires, suggesting a demand for leaders who connect with the electorate.
Democracy Under Threat: The discussion posits that democracies across the Western world are under threat, with a decline in social cohesion. The survey is framed as a "real wakeup call" for a need to change approaches and prioritize listening to voters.

Alternative Perspectives on Democracy

One participant expresses being part of the 24% who question democracy's superiority, offering a critical perspective:

Historical Context of Christian Democracy: The argument is made that democracy historically thrived in Western nations due to its foundation in "Christian democracies." This meant voting was not solely based on economics or infrastructure but also on morality and what is "moral and good."
Democracy as "Mob Rule": The current state of democracy is criticized as "mob rule," where the morals of 51% of people dictate what is considered right. This is seen as a departure from its historical foundation.
Moral Relativism in Modern Democracy: Examples like late-term abortions and same-sex marriage are used to illustrate how modern democracies vote on issues that were once guided by established moral principles. The concern is that majority opinion is now equated with morality, which is seen as flawed.
Critique of Majority Morality: The statement, "51% of people voting on something doesn't make it moral and good," is a central argument. The analogy is drawn to Saudi Arabia, where stoning women or throwing gay people off buildings might be supported by a majority, but this does not make such actions moral.

Defense of Liberal Democracy

The counter-argument emphasizes the principles of liberal democracy:

Protection of Civil Rights: It is argued that liberal democracies are designed to prevent the majority (51%) from overriding the rights of the minority. This is the core principle of a liberal democracy, ensuring civil rights are protected by law.
Historical Imperfections of Democracy: The notion that democracy was once more "beautiful and pure" is dismissed as "fantastical." Historical democracies, including ancient Athens, did not grant universal suffrage (e.g., slaves, women did not vote).
Democracy as the "Worst System, Apart from All the Others": Winston Churchill's famous quote is referenced, acknowledging democracy's imperfections but highlighting its superiority over alternative systems.

Australian Democracy's Relative Strength

Despite the concerning figures, a more optimistic view of Australian democracy is presented:

Comparison with the US: The survey's finding that 9% of Australians believe violence can be justified for political causes is contrasted with the figure of 24% in America. This suggests that Australian democracy, in this regard, is functioning relatively well compared to the US.
Comfort with the Democratic Process: The statistic that only 17% vote to avoid fines is interpreted positively, suggesting that Australians are "perfectly comfortable lining up for their democracy sausage and marking off their ballot."

Conclusion

The McKinnon index highlights significant public dissatisfaction and distrust in Australian democracy, particularly concerning election fairness, trust in politicians, and the perceived moral direction of the country. While some interpret these findings as a sign of democracy's failure and a need for fundamental change, others defend the principles of liberal democracy and argue that, despite its flaws, it remains the best available system. The discussion also points to a potential disconnect between leaders and voters, and a growing demand for authenticity and responsiveness in political representation. The relative strength of Australian democracy is considered when compared to other nations, particularly the United States, on certain metrics.