Trends that work against the Labor Left, & how to rebuild with innovation. Second part of a series, analyzing the ALP in Australia. Analysis is applicable also to all parties, and Western elections to some extent.
The Australian Labor Party is generally polling (right now) in what is termed ‘sub-bedrock’ area. The numbers show the actions are not engaging voters.
Now this can change — but only if the change trends driving this shift is understood.
Electoral Trends.
The problem is not a medium or even a communication problem, it is that the process for listening and determining policy is tone-deaf to what voters really want.
1) Networked families.
Pollies act as if a single Anglo-Australia still exists. Or ‘warlord methodologies’ assume ethnic groups all vote the same, like a shop union. A networked world disrupts this pyramid.
2) Fragmented individuals
People are fragmented, communities are weaker. Therefore broadcast voting methods to gather supporters carry less weight, and distort votes.
3) Pyramids are dust
The Pyramid is broken. It’s dust. As a business model it’s not used by any exciting new companies, just old bureaucracies. When the top of the pyramid talks to the top of the pyramid — nothing changes in a networked world.
That’s why quotas and pyramid change strategies fail now.
These are just a few trends impacting politics globally, and in Australia — drawn from my trends analysis work at 2thinknow.
How change now works
Connections between nodes. Not pyramids.
Change models — original innovation models work I have done for 2thinknow — explain why politics no longer is business as usual. This is not unexpected. Airlines, hotels, books — all have been disrupted. This is ongoing.
But arguably, politics is a more critical segment in a democracy. (We divide cities and regions into 31 segments for data analysis).
Fishbowl ways of seeing.
Yet, those inside the fishbowl can’t see the world clearly (except through curved glass).
The preferred academics and poll-masters keep getting it wrong, because they lack the right data, or are stuck in ‘pyramid’ thinking. Technology adeptness is not the measure of success either.
Bias shift.
And this is not just a Left phenomenon, but the assumed bias of the Australian electorate has shifted right. Most people see business taxes passed onto consumers or shareholders (through superannuation) — so not really in their interest.
One of the answers to this is stopping wasteful projects in Government, based on old models — or at least revamping them.
But to do this, you have to understand how the world has changed. And few people do. Academic ideas are out of date — so are management consulting approaches.
2thinknow provide global comparative data on urban locations around the world, and source the best available proven policy ideas for clients.
My work for 2thinknow since 2005 research has been case studies of change, including politics and government for cities and states across the world. This can be seen at www.2thinknow.com or in our Innovation Cities Program: www.innovation-cities.com
The big trend.
Cost of living is now critical for many voters. So raising their cost of living and giving them money back seems wasteful. They don’t want the government deciding to give them a set-top box or pink batts. They want to decide themselves (a right-side idea).
So the Left needs to reshape it’s change dialogue or risk becoming a smaller party. Not healthy for anyone!
COMPANY DISCLAIMER: I work for 2thinknow, and I/we have also earned fees consulting across government and business. We have at times editorialized also for a candidate on Left or Right (based on innovation potential), met Ministers of both sides, and assisted both Left and Right organizations.We do have contact government ministers, public servants and advisors.
Our innovation view is that political parties must have ‘differing views’ and that it is the tension and compromise between those views that can drives, improve and create innovation as positive change. This is the same view held by the U.S. founding fathers. At times, according to our innovation concepts, some parties and people will at times better drive innovation.
PERSONAL DISCLAIMER — My personal views are centrist — generally socially progressive who believes in business and markets, and that government action is possible in some circumstances and will succeed if based on the best data and frameworks.