The value of the vocal minority…

The value of the vocal minority…

“Democracy means society is governed by the input and sanction of all members of society. Democracy means power does not rest in the hands of a few wealthy and privileged people, but people of all rank can have a say in the decision-making process.”

Over 2700 years ago Solon played a key role in the development of Athenian democracy. He was followed by Cleisthenes and Aristotle. They were in the minority.

A little over two millennia later men such as Locke, Rousseau and Paine campaigned against rule by the wealthy. Susan B. Anthony campaigned against slavery and Emmeline Pankhurst was a suffragette. They were all part of a vocal minority.

Mahatma Ghandi fought for decades for Indian independence and Martin Luther King was the public face of the human rights movement. Vocal minorities that gathered public support to achieve social change.
Vocal minorities have given women and Aboriginal the right to vote. They have freed children from the slavery of industry, helped stop the Vietnam War and fought against racial vilification and for equal rights for over a century.

The common thread is that these vocal minorities had the strength of their convictions to campaign against other vocal minorities – the vested interest groups. These campaigns led to democratic societies and freedom of speech, among other things.

Vested interest is rooted in profit and self-aggrandisement. At its core is selfishness and greed.

Politicians who vote to fund private schools while de-funding public schools are a “vested interest group.” Politicians who campaign to privatise public utilities do not have the community’s best interests at heart. Politicians who nestle into the back pockets of corporations put self interest first and foremost.

The management of the Jetty Foreshore is up for debate. The NSW government went behind closed doors, to a hand-picked group, to force through development of the foreshore. No public disclosure.

A vocal minority has been arguing for community consultation. If that small group had not stood up and questioned the process of decision making, the foreshore would be slated for a massive high rise development.

Vocal minorities have always been the subject of personal attack and labeling. This scare tactic approach is highly visible in the debates about immigration and the Muslim community.
However, vocal minorities are essential for society to develop and move forward. Without them we would be doomed to a world ruled by profiteers.

I’m proud to be a member of a vocal minority.

Peter O’Brien