Aussies believe system is “rigged” against ordinary people
A survey has revealed that a staggering 68 per cent of Australians believe the economy is “rigged to the advantage of the rich and powerful”, with 61 per cent saying, “traditional parties and politicians don't care about people like me”.
The latest Ipsos survey examined the opinions of 16,069 adults from 22 countries and suggests there is a widespread distrust of politicians and the system in general worldwide.
Social Research Institute Director David Elliott stated, “[In Australia] the increase of support for Pauline Hanson and her party in the previous election certainly supports that.”
And it’s not just the pollies who are coming under increasing scrutiny of the man in the street. The Ipsos research also indicated 60 per cent of Australians believe, “experts in this country don’t understand the lives of people like me”.
With such a high percentage of Australians not trusting public institutions, the possibility of a Trump or Brexit-like vote in Australia doesn’t seem out of the question.
Carol Johnson, Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Adelaide told Fairfax Media, “We should be concerned. If there's anything we can learn from Trump's victory and from Brexit, it's that these forces can emerge far more quickly than mainstream politicians and commentators expect.”
So, what do you think? Is the system “rigged” against ordinary Australians? Or are people disillusioned with politics and looking for another option?
Related links:
Retirement in the age of financial uncertainty
Pension changes could prompt financial risk taking
4 expenses that will disrupt your retirement budget