Our democracy – taking the easy road to oblivion

July 18, 2025

Democracy gives a sense of empowerment. Voters feel free to live as they wish – albeit within reasonable limits. But democratic governments rarely take essential, unpopular steps.

These days the power of the media seems so intense that governments bow to its will. Too many in the media disseminate misinformation to further proprietorial political goals. And barely-controlled lobbying, supported by substantial political donations, enables powerful interests to wield disproportionate influence over critical policy development.

Daniel Andrews achieved some success in avoiding overbearing media influence when he was premier of Victoria, but our federal government, tied to three-year terms, seems forever condemned to easy populism, and rarely stands up to lead public opinion. This brings policies and actions which pander to the needs of vested interests and to the prevailing media-sculpted mood, rather than carefully thought-out, science-based policies which address the critical issues of the moment.

As Julian Cribb observes, “humans cannot survive if they do not understand the threats they face or how to overcome them”. While democratic governments prioritise their own short-term popularity ahead of the existential threats we now face from climate, famine, AI and more, our democracy is sleepwalking to oblivion.