Progressive Ideas Worth Sharing

Lindy Edwards’ new book — The Passion of Politics — discusses the ideologies that underpin current political ideas. These ideas have grown out of the political responses to the injustices and challenges of the past. They've led to some enormous achievements, but they’ve also carried with them the seeds of many new problems.

In the face of new circumstances, old ideas must be re-shaped and old ideologies modified; new ideas must be developed and new ideologies formulated. If we are to influence the thinking that will shape our future, we must understand the bodies of thought that have brought us to where we are. Listen to Lindy Edwards discuss her new book and its implications for the evolution of progressive politics.

The Hon Jay Weatherill, Premier of South Australia addressed a forum at the University of Adelaide on 16 October 2012.

‘Strengthening Australian democracy: Political Discourse and Engagement’

The event was co-hosted by the Australian Fabians (South Australia) and the School of History and Politics, University of Adelaide.

Address to Australian Fabians South Australia by Lyn White (Animals Australia) 2012

For more information on Animals Australia

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/

"The road to sustainability runs through the world's towns and cities. By building sustainable towns and cities, you will build global sustainability." Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

The twin challenges of climate change and increasing urbanisation will place significant pressure on cities into the future. Cities will need to become more strategic in their approach to these challenges and rethink how urban growth in managed.

Professor Barbara Norman, head of Urban & Regional Planning at the University of Canberra, chair of the ACT Climate Change Council and former National Chair of the Australian Fabians, will discuss the role that urban planning can play in helping to address these challenges and what cities such as Canberra should do.

Listen to the Fabians and Professor Barbara Norman in their fascinating discussion on a key challenge for our future.

Following its defeat in 2010, philosopher Maurice Glasman critiqued New Labour as statist and market fundamentalist. Considered the key thinker behind Blue Labour, he championed reclaiming traditions of reciprocity, mutualism and solidarity.

The emergence of Blue Labour has led to a discussion about the future direction for the British Labour Party, particularly around the role of the state. Blue Labour has not been without its critics, however, who have derided its emphasis on "flag, faith and family" as nostalgic and socially conservative.

Given the massive electoral challenges that the centre-left faces across the world, does Blue Labour offer any answers to its problems?

Listen to the ACT Fabians and ANU Associate Professor Frank Bongiorno in discussing whether Blue Labour offers any lessons for Australia.

Ian McAllister, Distinguished Professor of Political Science at ANU and a former Director of ANU’s Research School of Social Sciences, will discuss the Australian Election Study (AES) and its implications for the ALP.

The AES has surveyed Australian public opinion on politics following each federal election since 1987. It has asked about electoral institutions, party loyalties, views on politics and leaders, campaigns, social background, class, economic beliefs, and values. In his recent book—The Australian Voter: 50 Years of Change—Ian has drawn on both the AES and three earlier surveys (covering 12 elections in all) to chart the changes in attitudes to Australian politics over the past half century. He has been co-director of the AES since 1987.

Apart from his work on Australian political behaviour, Ian’s recent research has included Russian electoral behaviour and democratisation, as well as political behaviour and violence in Northern Ireland. He has edited the Australian Journal of Political Science since 2004.

Join the ACT Fabians and Professor McAllister for a fascinating talk on Australian voting trends over time.

Listen to the Federal Member for Wills, Kelvin Thomson MP discuss on the great population debate.

Kelvin is a former member of the ALP Front Bench and has been at the forefront of the debate since his speech to the Federal Parliament of Australia, where he unveiled his 14 Point Plan for Population Reform.

This is a live recording of the ACT Fabians event held on 16 February 2012.