OPINION: A strong economy is not necessarily a strong or fair society

With a general election promised to take place soon, we are being bombarded with political posturing and big promises. Certain galleries are being played to, and a level of smear campaigning has sadly already started.
It can be tempting to be drawn to vote for ‘personalities’, and to be taken in by clever political quips. It’s fun to watch the clashing of swords, but so much more is at stake than rewarding an individual politician’s verbal prowess or entertainment value. We must be very careful not to go down the deeply worrying and increasingly bizarre road taken by the US, where spectacle has displaced gravity, mud-slinging has replaced proper discourse, and denigrating opponents is seen as a sign of political acuity.
In short, it is crucial that we focus on Irish political parties’ actual policies and ideologies, and the very real impacts they could have on our communities and our future. As voters, we need to meditate upon our own individual ideals and seek to vote for the party that most reflects them.
And when it comes to ideals, perhaps we might think about Social Justice Ireland’s new policy briefing, ‘A Better and Fairer Ireland’. For what is social justice other than a call for fairness for all who live in our country? Let’s face it, we are awash with money (thanks Apple). Isn’t it vital that it gets spent where it should? That our government does not mismanage the wealth of its people, but takes action to ensure its fair distribution?
When launching ‘A Better and Fairer Ireland’, Social Justice Ireland’s CEO, John McGeady pointed out that ‘the next five years present a golden opportunity for the next government to harness our economic success to deliver a social dividend for all’.
To that end, he is calling on the next government, whoever that may be, to ‘reverse the failure, to date, to build on recent years of economic growth and windfall revenues to deliver a just society, to put a social floor of adequate income and services in place for everyone’.
He and his independent think tank are urging that ‘the common good’ be placed at the heart of public policy: “Everyone in our society has a right to a share in the common good. It is the job of government to harness the benefits of our strong economic position to invest in policies that foster the common good and wellbeing of everyone in our society.”
The key word is ‘everyone’. For what is the point in generating a thriving economy if only the bottom line and the few at the top benefit? What we want is a thriving society, one that puts access to healthcare and health services ahead of fancy hospital designs, one that values shelter for people over shelters for bikes, one that gives equal weight to the rights of rural dwellers and urban dwellers, one that understands the need to protect nature and restore its balance for the future, one that protects and supports its vulnerable, and one that works towards alleviating poverty, marginalisation and discrimination, in all its guises.
We need a society in which everyone’s voice counts – not just those with access to those in power. A society whose economic tide raises all boats, not just the super yachts.
We need our next government to have a policy agenda capable of delivering transformative change, so that political decisions reflect our values as a nation.
Michelle Murphy, a research and policy analyst at Social Justice Ireland, puts it well:
“Ireland is on the cusp of major transitions, some global and others more local. We must adapt to meet climate and digital challenges, which will change the way we live and work. The impact of a changing global economy requires a reorganisation of our economic model so that it works for the many, not just the few. The success stories of demographic change and people living longer, and the new communities enriching our society, must be planned for and managed with proper, well-resourced public services and infrastructure.
“As we move into a period where parties will be publishing their election manifestos and candidates will be canvassing for votes, it is important that we do not lose sight of the very real issues that impact on people, on communities and on our social, economic and environmental wellbeing. Issues such as access to housing, healthcare, home care, education, childcare, low pay and income adequacy.”
She adds: “We can take advantage of the coming change to build a better future where social justice and the wellbeing of everybody in our country, whether born here or newly arrived, is prioritised. This requires our politicians to ensure that the common good, social wellbeing and investment in infrastructure and services take precedence.”
Food for thought as we talk to canvassers and decide which party should get our vote.