Letter to The Editor

To The Age
Is the current 'groundswell' of populist politics really 'far-right', as Paul Blackman thinks? (21/2) Perhaps the right-left terminology is inadequate to define it. Maybe it is a genuine rising up of decent and ordinary people who are fed up with the dishonourably self-serving policies of elites based on financial privilege and nepotism. In this case things aren't so gloomy after all.

The 'collective notion of what we agree upon' was largely shaped by these elites through their powerful propaganda.  What is important now is for people to keep cool heads, engage civilly in public discourse, make careful analyses of what is happening and chart a sensible course into the future that is both wise and compassionate. Let's proceed on that basis.
NJ, Belgrave, Vic