Keeping the Bastards Honest: The Australian Democrats' First Twenty Years

For twenty years the Australian Democrats have worked hard to 'keep the bastards honest', in the memorable words of Don Chipp. This book tells the story of how a bold experiment in participatory democracy created a continuing challenge to Australia's two-party system. This is the story of how the attempt a myriad of doubters said couldn't succeed, did. The result was a 'minor' party with a major impact. For twenty years the Democrats in the Senate have been a consistent force for change. The environmental movement, the women's movement, the popular demand for more accountability in politics - these are but three of the many forces for betterment that have been given a strong voice by the Democrats in the centre of national politics. For twenty years the Democrats at State and local government level have carried the same message as their Senate counterparts to their communities. Whether they are seen as part of a 'post-materialist challenge to materialist politics' or as irritants goading the two old parties to 'lift their game' or as the true inheritors of Australia's creative social liberation tradition, the Democrats are a key part of the nation's political biodiversity. 'A valuable insight into a neglected area of political study, explaining how the Democrats defied numerous predictions of their demise to carve out a long-term role in Australia's system of government.' Mike Steketee, National Affairs Editor, Australian.

Table of Contents:
Tables Figures Contributors Acknowledgements I Overview 1 1977-97: Twenty years hard democracy - John Warhurst II Origins 2 A party of new ideas: the Australia Party - J Warhurst 3 The Liberal movement and the new LM - Dean Jaensch 4 1977: Don Chipp's new party - John Warhurst III National and international dimensions 5 Australian Democrats: electoral performance and voting support - Clive Bean 6 Australian Democrats in comparative perspective - R K Carty IV Inside the party 7 Party organisation and membership participation - Ian Ward 8 Ideology, internal politics and policy formulation - Hiroya Sugita V The Parliament 9 Parliamentary performance in the Senate - Hiroya Sugita 10 'Red Leather Rules and the Art of Cross-Benching': The Democrats and the budget process - Liz Young VI State di

About the Author :
Professor John Warhurst is Professor of Political Science in the Faculties at the ANU. He has assembled an experienced team of analysts to review the Democrats as they enter their 21st year.