Upheaval, chaos, disruption. These are just a few of the words being applied to the Trump administration’s barrage of policy changes. For a lot of observers, the pace and scale of these changes feel like a category 5 cyclone, packing immense destructive power and sending people running for cover – or to the streets and courtrooms.
Radical right-wing ideology
What’s clear is that many of Trump’s policies are being driven by a radical, almost revolutionary ideology courtesy of the right-wing think tank, the Heritage Foundation.
It’s a ragbag of incoherent thought-mush and naked prejudices aimed at upending every aspect of American life, as well as the international order.
It’s being egged on by Steve Bannon’s mantra of ‘muzzle velocity’, a strategy designed to overwhelm, confuse and quash all political opposition. The general idea is to enact as many changes in the shortest timeframe as possible, thereby keeping opponents on the back foot. And it works. At least in the short term.
In Australia, with the federal election nearly upon us, many are wondering whether a Dutton government will mimic Trump’s shock and awe strategy.
We’d like to think that government policies are formulated in the best interests of citizens, and that such policies are based on rational, carefully thought-out decisions – and that they will cause minimal harm.
Robodebt
If only. We know that many government measures are about wanting to appear strong and tough, and/or simply to appease an angry electorate.
It’s no surprise that resulting decisions can inflict great harm on those impacted. Think about Robodebt, refugees. Consider too the plight of the Palestinians and the federal government’s refusal to name the Gaza horror as genocide. Think of the continuing support for the fossil fuel industry and the fact that wealth inequality is widening in Australia, with around three million people under the poverty line.
Not all this can be sheeted home directly to the government, but the failure to act is as bad as deliberate legislative cruelty.
Kindness and compassion
On 20 March, Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees, founder of the Sydney Peace Foundation and one of Australia’s most prominent peace campaigners, and Dr Sue Wareham, President of the Medical Association for Prevention of War will discuss how kindness and compassion rather than cruelty can inform policy making.
They outline why this is important, and how moral principle might take precedence over pragmatism and self-interest. There’s a case here for political courage: arguing your case based on what you actually believe and the values you espouse.
If kindness and compassion, based upon human rights and international humanitarian law, guided policy making would we have refugees languishing on prison islands or Indigenous people continuing to suffer terrible privations? I doubt it.
Stuart and Sue will speak to Beyond Cruel: Ensuring Kindness and Compassion in Public Policy at the M-Arts, Murwillumbah, 20 March. Doors open at 5.30pm, main event starts at 6.45pm. Food and drinks are available.
For tickets visit: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1355007.
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