Views from Western Australia

A Christian perspective on contemporary policy debates may not prevail. It must nonetheless be argued. And once heard, it must be weighed, together with other arguments from different philosophical traditions, in a fully contestable secular polity. A Christian perspective, informed by a social gospel or Christian socialist tradition, should not be rejected contemptuously by secular politicians as if these views are an unwelcome intrusion into the political sphere. If the churches are barred from participating in the great debates about the values that ultimately underpin our society, our economy and our polity, then we have reached a very strange place indeed.

Kevin Rudd

The Monthly

In ‘Exit Right’, Judith Brett explains why the tide turned on John Howard. This is an essay about leadership, in particular Howard’s style of strong leadership which led him to dominate his party with such ultimately catastrophic results.

Despite popular opinion, the author believes Paul Keating and John Howard are a lot alike. "I see them both as men who were very motivated by aggression and who saw politics as essentially about winning the battle and keeping control. They both were very combative and very divisive political leaders."  At one point Breet outlines the warlike language used by Howard.

Strong Leaders thrive on the politics of division because then “you can have a contest, show your strength and win.” You’re either with a Strong Leader or against him.

In the right hands it can be a very effective style of leadership, but it has its limits; and Brett points out: “Strong Leaders can’t last forever; they can’t admit their mistakes; and they’re not very good at policy.” And this, says Brett, is exactly what happened to Howard’s leadership.