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Jensen / Lifting the low bar of democracy

NOT long ago I took a visiting Canadian academic into Parliament House. We went into the Senate Question Time to get a glimpse of the Australian democratic system in action.

Nick-Jensen
Nick Jensen.

After 15 minutes of significant volume but minimal content, he informed me he had seen enough. As we left he said: “Well, one thing is for sure, salvation is not going to come from in there!”.

This year provides Canberrans with tremendous opportunities to participate in the governing of our society. With our Federal double dissolution election, the expansion of the ACT Assembly and various national plebiscites planned, our input is significant. However there are many who, like my visitor, are starting to shift away from a positive view about the political institutions and those who hold the power within them.

However, I am optimistic. Not that government can bring salvation (Psalm 146), but rather that the decisions we make can lead to policies which in turn bring us closer to a flourishing city. There does need to be some “Rules of Engagement” set down though if we are to see this actualise. Here is my guide on helping to lift the bar in these upcoming votes:

  • Put aside slander

If a candidate uses personal insults rather than dealing with the content of an argument then they do not reflect an honourable leader. The other day I listened to a Federal parliamentarian use 10 different personal attacks within the space of a one-minute statement. All this demonstrates is immaturity and an inadequacy in one’s own position.

  • With humility comes wisdom

The reluctant leader is usually the one best suited to lead. Power is so corrupting that a leader’s motivation often shifts to becoming more about pride and holding power than the fundamental virtue of serving the common good. As you watch your candidates, keep an eye out for respect, gentleness and self-control, as these are the kind of character traits that are reflected in genuine listeners.

  • Let us reason together

Emotion does have its part to play in the rhetoric of public debate, but often it is used to cover an inadequacy of reason. Tears for refugees may flow, but what we really need is intelligent and practical solutions to a damaging situation. Choose leaders who are able to bring experience, depth and creativity to policy, not simply passionate displays.

  • Blessed are the peacemakers

Currently in the US you can get an app which shows which shops in the mall are Republican and which are Democrat so you can avoid supporting a different party. In fact inter-political marriage in the US is now frowned upon more than inter-racial marriage was! Seek people who attempt to transcend the political lines, not ones who seek division to further their own ambition.

  • Do not let truth leave you

Despite claims to the contrary, the reality is that truth is not simply subjective. The promises people make, the evidence of their claims, and the logic of their policies all matter a great deal. We must ensure as best we can that those who hold truth lightly, convinced that the ends justify the means, should not hold the trust of our power. If we want to see an ethical society, this starts from the top.

Perhaps a story from Marcus Tullius Cicero might best encourage those who are disillusioned with the whole system. When Cicero told his closest friends that he was thinking of going into politics, they tried hard to dissuade him. They said to him: “Just take a look around the Roman Forum, it’s filled with schemers and bribe-takers.”

Cicero could not disagree that the Forum was filled with people of selfish desire. But he turned his friends’ argument back at them, saying: “What better reason could brave and high-minded people have for engaging with politics than the determination not to allow the state to be torn apart by the cowardly and corrupt?”

So, as you consider what role you want to play as a citizen this year, remember that somebody’s morality is always legislated.

Nick Jensen is the director of the Lachlan Macquarie Institute, which helps develop leaders in public policy (lmi.org.au)

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2 Responses to Jensen / Lifting the low bar of democracy

Nick Jensen says: 29 May 2016 at 11:23 pm

Thanks for your comment Ben.

This is not a hard one to argue however. Despite ones personal perspective and beliefs, there are objective elements to truth. Not denying some subjective elements, elements such as science, logic, mathematics hold true for all.

The classic parable on this is the blind men and the elephant. One feels the tail and thinks it a rope, another the hide believing it to be a wall, another the ear believing it to be a fan. It is, no matter what the experience, still an elephant, and we are fortunate enough to be able to work this ‘truth’ out if we do it together.

Blessings, Nick

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