By Arthur Gietzelt
For the left in particular and ordinary people, there is not much "light on the hill' these days. The vision splendid that characterised the early socialist struggles has been dashed by the collapse of state socialism in the USSR and Eastern Europe.
The labour movement and other democratic mass movements have, in the eyes of many, changed the inhumanity of early capitalism. We have to an extent "civilised" capitalism. But we cannot be satisfied.
Capitalism is producing unemployment on a mass scale. Society has been persuaded that full employment is not a goal worth pursuing. Misery, starvation and under-utilisation of opportunity and resources face billions of people. The problems of humanity have not and will not be solved by relying solely upon capital and its value system.
The left is disunited, lacking a strategy that unites like-minded people. It is fragmented, personality prone and overall characterised by reacting to crises. It has won many great battles in past years — conscription, defeating the Anti-Communist Bill, defending the right to demonstrate, fighting against Australia's involvement in Vietnam, protecting the environment. But we have not got as good a record in being pro-active.
The NSW Socialist Left, with whom I am associated, is currently considering a statement of concern, which I think represents an attempt to move in the direction needed. That view needs acceptance in the national ALP Left and, I would then hope, will gain support from those other elements in the Left who hitherto have had different views, perspectives and organisations. There is a need for a concept of coalition of those who want a better society.
There is of course, much concern about the direction of the present federal Labor government. Too often such concern is expressed by failing to discern the great gap between the policies of the Labor government and the very right-wing policies of Hewson and Howard.
There are very distinctive differences between the two major parties. The Liberal alternative poses the greatest threat ever to the labour movement. Their economic package is the most politically reactionary policy ever formulated. Their vision for the future is one that is ideologically driven to enrich the "haves" at the expense of the majority, to entrench the powerful at the expense of the powerless: in short, to create even more the extreme class conflicts that existed a century ago.
On foreign affairs, Labor's stance on Cambodia has aided the peace process. Labor's position on Timor is better than the Liberals'. On the environment, we want more protection, but the Liberals are 100% pro-development. On industrial relations, the Liberals are pronounced anti-union. Their enterprise bargaining will result in open slather against every condition won this century.
No matter the issue, the Liberals and the nationals are much eft must hold the line, and set about developing a more relevant, cogent and acceptable policy that forces Labor — state, federal and local — to act in the interests of those who want full employment, equity in every aspect of their lives, a world of peace in which the natural environment is protected for future generations and a better value system for all humanity.
I believe we should find common ground.
[Arthur Gietzelt is a former senior vice-president of the ALP and was a minister in first and second Hawke Labor governments.]