Nearly a month out from the most charged U.S. presidential election in modern history, many democracies around the world continue to watch and decry the erosion of U.S. democracy from afar. It also serves as a poignant reminder to reflect on our own democratic systems; in countries such as Australia, voter turnout has ebbed lower and the mistrust of politicians continues to feature prominently.


However, with growing technological interconnectivity and the almost limitless opportunities to digest and engage in political commentary, Australians are seeing an evolution and intensification of the political debate similar to that in the United States. Around the end of John Howard’s prime ministership in 2007 came the boom of the digital age of politics. Accountability is now rarely seen as political parties are so deeply embroiled and driven by what happens in the shadows. Both major parties will limit their point scoring off each other’s failures as they are equally aware of their own.

This article was written by Philip Citowicki

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