A lot of folks on the left get frustrated with Labor for not being more boldly progressive. Labor-sympathetic folks will then defend Labor for having to work within the constraints set by the voting public. If Labor did move further left, the theory goes, they’d be punished at the ballot box next election. Australia is quite a conservative country, and voters are wary of radical change.
If we argue that Labor could choose to adopt more left leaning positions and win due to its own influence on the 'malleable' opinions of the electorate, then we are also arguing that Labor does not (at least very often) lose elections based on policy. Here I refer you to the Carbon Tax and the proposed changes to negative gearing.
I think your argument gives too little respect to the self-interest of the voting public. I would challenge you to talk to a retired Aussie about how 'malleable' their opinion is on the pension or the age of retirement, or a truck driver on how likely they are to support a combustion engine vehicle ban.
If we argue that Labor could choose to adopt more left leaning positions and win due to its own influence on the 'malleable' opinions of the electorate, then we are also arguing that Labor does not (at least very often) lose elections based on policy. Here I refer you to the Carbon Tax and the proposed changes to negative gearing.
I think your argument gives too little respect to the self-interest of the voting public. I would challenge you to talk to a retired Aussie about how 'malleable' their opinion is on the pension or the age of retirement, or a truck driver on how likely they are to support a combustion engine vehicle ban.
Still, an interesting read.