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Writer's pictureSam Wilks

The Historical Roots and Contemporary Application of the Cloward-Piven Strategy in Australia




The fabric of societal norms and policies is often a canvas painted with various ideological hues, reflecting both historical precedents and contemporary challenges. One such ideological approach, often referred to indirectly in discussions of social policy and welfare states, parallels the Cloward-Piven Strategy, originally articulated in the mid-20th century. According to this strategy, demand can overwhelm public welfare systems, causing a crisis that prompts significant reforms in the direction of widespread government intervention and guaranteed income.


The strategy, although primarily associated with American socio-political tactics, finds echoes in Australian history, particularly during periods of significant economic and social stress. Australia's response to economic downturns, notably during the early 1990s recession, the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, and the use of welfare during the COVID-19 response, which pushed Australia to almost one trillion dollars in debt, showcases clear elements of this approach. Governments, both federal and state, responded to rising unemployment and social unrest not merely with temporary relief but with expansive social welfare programs aiming to fundamentally restructure societal participation in the economy. Each time, these responses led to extremely predictable increases in suicide, homicide, and drug overdose rates.


In the Northern Territory, this strategy's imprint is discernible in the management of indigenous communities and remote settlements. The government's approach, ostensibly aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, results in heavy-handed interventions that increase dependency. For example, initiatives like the intervention, officially called, the Northern Territory National Emergency Response, reflected an underlying strategy to overload social welfare demands, thereby justifying continuous and increasing government control and support.


From a psychological perspective, the strategy taps into basic human responses to crisis and dependency. The human psyche, as understood through deep dives into individual and collective behaviour, leans towards seeking security during times of uncertainty. Thus, when a society is bombarded with relentless demands on its welfare systems, the typical reaction is a clamour for more comprehensive safety nets, inadvertently fostering a dependency culture.


Philosophically, the notion that society should guarantee certain outcomes for its citizens regardless of individual effort or circumstance receives mixed reactions. On one hand, the promise of equality of outcome can seem like a virtuous and noble goal, addressing the disparities born of historical injustices and economic inequalities. On the other hand, it challenges the fundamental belief in personal responsibility and the rewards of individual effort, cornerstones of liberal democratic thought. My personal opinion is that the promotion of theft from creators for the benefit of those that choose not to produce, undermines the very principles that have allowed for progress and innovation to thrive.


The implications for security are profound. Overloading public systems not only strains fiscal budgets but also places immense pressure on societal cohesion. Security professionals observe that as more people feel entitled to receive without contributing, social bonds weaken and communal ties fray, leading to increased alienation and, paradoxically, insecurity. This ultimately results in a breakdown of trust within communities and a corresponding increase in crime rates.


Experts in crowd behaviour and public sentiment argue that policies inspired by such strategic overloads lead to reactionary movements. In Australia, this is evident in the growing discontent among tax-paying citizens who perceive their contributions as subsidising an ever-expanding welfare state. This discontent can catalyse significant political and social movements, as seen with the rise of political parties and platforms advocating for stringent welfare reforms. However, the media and politicians overlook the underlying reasons for the discontent. In the Northern Territory, both political parties fail to address the systemic issues facing Indigenous communities, ostensibly because they are both afraid of being called mean names for taking any decisive action. There is truly nothing as harmful to a country as cowardice, and both political parties hold an ample supply of cowards.


The reception of such strategies also varies significantly with personality types across populations. Those with high openness and agreeableness may favour expansive welfare policies, seeing them as empathetic and kind. Conversely, individuals with high conscientiousness and neuroticism view these as impractical and anxiety-inducing, fostering dependency rather than empowerment.


While the Cloward-Piven Strategy is not overtly named or recognised within Australian policy circles, its shadows loom large over the welfare policies and social strategies employed, particularly in regions like the Northern Territory. As Australia navigates its social policy landscape, it is under constant attack from external activists with globalist agendas. The echoes of this strategy serve as a cautionary tale of good and virtuous intentions leading to unintended consequences. The interplay of economic theories, psychological insights, and philosophical debates continues to shape the country, underscoring the complexity of governing a diverse and dynamic society like Australia. It serves as a reminder of the importance of considering all potential outcomes before implementing policies, and the importance of holding people responsible and accountable for their own actions, and how those actions may harm others. It highlights the need for strong leadership and ethical decision-making in order to effectively navigate the complexities of governing a diverse and dynamic society like Australia.


From the author.


The opinions and statements are those of Sam Wilks and do not necessarily represent whom Sam Consults or contracts to. Sam Wilks is a skilled and experienced Security Consultant with almost 3 decades of expertise in the fields of Real estate, Security, and the hospitality/gaming industry. His knowledge and practical experience have made him a valuable asset to many organizations looking to enhance their security measures and provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and staff.


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