Part B
Bush Pub Philosophy
Visit the pub, there is only one, in this country town on a Friday night and you will find a small but vocal group in a lively philosophical debate. And they are not all locals. Bush Pub Philosophy has put this small town on the map.
The discussion is led by Frank, the Bush Pub Philosopher, ably assisted by Fred and Robert and Harry. Frank is a retired academic and business consultant and a very keen follower of the political scene. Not party politics, he is always keen to say. I'm not a member of any political party, but I am a true democrat. I am a true democrat, a true believer in democracy, a true believer in the democratic process where elected politicians represent all the people, all the community, and not some artificial thing called the economy. Little wonder he was soon called Democrates, or Demmo for short.
Fred
is a stock and station agent and auctioneer of long standing in the
area. He is not a party politician, but has a good understanding of
the needs of the farming community. Robert is a retired farmer, and
a disillusioned member of the National Party. Harry is also a
retired farmer, and is still a member of the National Party.
This all started in a small way with a group of three or four meeting each Friday night for a few drinks and a lot of talk. Robert and Fred were the mainstays of the group. The impetus came when Frank retired to this small town. He joined the group, and when they got around to discussing politics he was soon holding the floor. Yes, he said one night, I am a true believer in democracy, and we must treat it carefully. Democracy is a very fragile thing, and can easily be taken over by selfishness and greed. It has happened in many places, by religious groups, tribal groups, autocratic groups. It is happening in Australia, too. Democracy is at risk of being taken over by extremists – not religious or tribal extremists but economic extremists. Think about it. Do you really believe we live in a democratic society today?
This was the theme he pursued this night. This was the theme he followed up with a wider audience as the numbers grew, for it was a theme which found sympathy in this country town which had gradually lost its banks, its nursing home, its chemist, its football team (forced to amalgamate with a nearby town), two of its three pubs, most of its shops, and over fifty per cent of its farming population. The whole town felt neglected and forgotten. Demmo had a ready made audience which was not so much feeling bitter but trying to come to terms with why these things happened, and frustrated because they were unable to understand why. He was able to fill in a lot of the gaps for them. At last he had found a role which enabled him to apply his wide business experience to help explain his strong desire for a true Australian democracy. Bush Pub Philosophy each Friday night blossomed, as did Democrates as the Bush Pub Philosopher. Each Friday night he found himself leading the discussion, his strong democratic beliefs ensuring that all points of view were considered. No decisions were ever made, or expected, but what did eventuate was a better understanding.
Series
Session 01 Democracy at Risk
Session 02
Economic
Control
Session 03
Democratic Values - Social Values
Session
04 Economic or Political Responsibility
Session 05
Friedman and Libertarianism
Session 06
The Australian Wheat Board Inquiry
Session 07
Private Equity (1)