Whitlam's Social Policy example essay topic

We are a government committed to bringing change into about social and economical aspects of our country. ' (Hayden, Speech, 1973) The Whitlam government's term was filled with controversy, scandals and public protest however, despite criticism of the government it is undoubted that within its term, 5 December 1972- 11 November 1975, the government was significantly influenced by socialist ideals through directing its policies relating to the social, economic and government aspects of society. The government adapted 'crash through or crash's type of policy change, reminiscent of a peaceful socialist revolution, however modified to suite the Australian climate. Whitlam's approach included more democratic elements and involved the people influencing the policies of his government, his eventual goal to solve the great problems capitalism had brought upon Australia. (McGavin, 1987, 55) His solution was quite simply to lessen the capitalist enemy of socialism, the class divide. The government promised the citizens of Australia better quality of life hand in hand with equality and said that these goals would be implemented in the improvement of education, health and welfare, stricter economic regulation as well as broad public ownership of several other basic industries and finally an extension of the national government's power promoting constitutional and electoral changes.

Socialism is defined as a political doctrine concerned with the morals of society and relates to all economic and social aspects of society. Socialism is further characterised by the state ownership and nationalisation of all means of production, facilities and banking for the reason that under socialist control private barriers can no longer prevent the people from working together for the common good. (Bobbi o, 1987, 44) This utopia is thought to be achieved through a peaceful political revolution, of course, in the best interests of the nation. (Evans, 1977, 23) Furthermore, socialism is defined by the belief that capitalism has unforgivably failed the working classes and that there is in fact simply no need for inequalities that exist within society. Socialist theory dictates that inequalities within society should be altered to the extent that the upper class minority can no longer hold exclusivity to privilege whilst the majority of the working classes suffer. Whitlam's breed of socialism embraced the practical and moral components of the ideology.

Further, he was a great advocate for rapid change and this was extremely reminiscent of ideological socialist revolution. 'We have a new chance for our nation. We can recreate this nation. ' Whitlam's policies relating to social aspects of society; education, foreign and social welfare; are seen to be in accordance with much socialist thought. 'Education is the key to equality. ' (Whitlam, speech, 1972).

Whitlam's ideas an policies relating to the importance of education also seem to be influenced by popular socialist thought. Immediately after his election as Prime Minister Whitlam ordered an inquiry into education, based on the redistribution of funds to school, on a 'needs' basis. As a result of this inquiry a commission was instigated to regulate education, further centralising the government and taking power from the states individually. Whitlam's policies on education as a tool to fight social injustices advocated starting from the early childhood, 'providing preschool education for every child, in order to begin to overcome social, economic and language barriers from an early age. As well as this, Whitlam abolished fees from all universities based on the principal that merit rather than wealth should dictate the access to higher education, therefore opening up tertiary education to the working class. Better training and more assistance for teaching collages was also offered within Whitlam's socialist based education policies.

Whitlam's electoral victory is often widely accredited to his policies foreign policies relating to the Vietnam War and significantly much policy created was based upon socialist principals. Almost immediately after his election, he authorised the end to conscription and withdrew all Australian troops from Vietnam. The idea a volunteer army, is also a better army was also strongly imbedded into Whitlam's social policy, instead, preferring to present the defence force as an attractive career choice. Much of Whitlam's policy on defence was derived from the socialist principal of laws based on the faith in human behaviour's to bring about a fairer society (Parker, 1999, 28).

Throughout Whitlam's term he altered and implemented many social welfare policies, many of which had a distinct socialist influence. Whitlam saw the equality promoting socialist policies on welfare as 'right rather than privilege' (Whitlam, speech, 1972). A grand vision of a welfare system united was often spoken of and Whitlam's policy encouraged the networking of all social welfare groups. The instigation of a raise in existing pension to 25% of the average weekly wage in addition to broadening of the range of people applicable for welfare assistance were steps aimed at realising Whitlam's socialist dream of the irradiation of the class divide. Healthcare, taxation, business and employment were all areas of economic change brought about by Whitlam's policies. 'Labor carried out its policies under a federal system largely by using the Australian Government's spending power in a way that had not previously been contemplated.

' (Judd, 1976, 97) It is important to realize this approach to policy change was substantially reminiscent of the ideological socialist revolution. Under the ALP, a universal system of healthcare, Medicare, was introduced providing free hospital treatment for all Australians and substantially reducing the cost of visiting a GP. Also a commission was fashioned in an attempt to take control from individual states and place the responsibility solely with one national body. This in a socialist ideal in the respect that one authority controlling any system will be more equal and therefore benefit the common good. Taxation under the Whitlam government is arguably the most significantly socialist policy. The ALP introduced a system of taxation, not to increase collection but to transfer financial burden from the working classes and redistribute it to the upper privileged classes.

This was reflective of the socialist principal that the goal of society should not be personal gain yet communal wealth. (O'Meagher, 1983, 4) Policies regulating business and Industry under the Whitlam government were strict. Controls of foreign ownership were immediately tightened, as few economic leakages were tolerated. 'Industrial cooperation and the good will are being undermined by the conviction among employees that the price of labour alone is subject to regulation and price restraint. ' (Whitlam, speech, 1972) Co-operation between employees, employers and government was viewed as essential due to the ultimate goal of creating a society in which the people of the nation worked for one objective.

The government prevented unjustified price rises through policy and also encouraged growth in the human skills industries such as social work. The employment policy's goals were full employment as well as a considerable rise in wages without inflation. However, wages rises seemed to give preference to the working class, obviously another attempt by the Whitlam government to redistribute wealth, bringing Australia closer to the promised socialist equality. Equal pay for women within policy brought Australia closer to becoming a truly socialist democracy. The concept of 'wage justice' was also seen as important, whereas the worker wreaked the benefits of his or her labour. (McGavin, 1987, 22) The Whitlam government's policies relating to the socialization of economics were mirrored in their policies determining government structure.

Seemingly the most important issue relating to government policy and structure was the initiation of one 'state' and the nationalisation and centralization of Australia. Policy glorified the ideal of an open government; a direct relationship between the parliament and the people. 'Unless the national government is involved in all matters of life, society cannot reach its potential. This statement seems to predict the largest problem faced in relation to government structure policy experienced by the Whitlam government, quite simply the lack of co-operation from the states and territories. To combat this however, the federal government simply allocated funds for schools, roads, and other public utilities in tied grants so the Whitlam government's socialist plan for the nation could be maintained. Whitlam also introduced a one-vote value for members of the Senate and introduced senators for the territories.

In doing so, Whitlam glorified equality by making the very system of government so. Fairness and equality seemed to be two socialist themes held dear within the creation of government structure policies, with the Freedom of Information Act being passed to prevent government secrecy. However, the community was still seen as responsible for itself and government structure reflected this socialist view in reducing the voting age and placing the responsibility of the good of the nation upon the shoulders of the workers. In assessing the extent of the socialist ideology within the Whitlam government from 1972-1975 social factors, the centralization of resources and redistribution of social power have been closely scrutinized. Furthermore, economic policy on controlling healthcare, taxation, business and employment reflect the Whitlam government was indeed greatly influenced by socialist ideals. Finally, the all important government structure of the Whitlam government has been decidedly labelled as partially socialist, therefore classifying the Whitlam government in Australia as a functioning socialist state..