The seventies was the high-water mark for progressive economic policies in the Anglo democracies. By decades end, social democracy had come under increasing attack from conservative theorists and commentators, whose ideas underpinned the rise of Thatcher and Reagan in the UK and the US. Tax cuts, especially for the wealthiest, attacks on workers collectivist bargaining powers (through the weakening of trade unions)a rush to deregulate and get government out of the way, and the denigration of people on welfare benefits were amongst the menu of options available.

Today, we can still see the relentless outworking of this approach. More expensive university education, work for the dole schemes and an obsession with balancing national budgets have marginalized many people from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are generally the losers in austerity budgets. I see lots of these folks in my work with Anglicare. Most are genuine strugglers and the marks of their struggle are there for all to see. They suffer disproportionately from mental illness, chronic disease, poor educational standards, violence, drug abuse and so forth. They rarely complain about their lot in life. But conservative politicians and pundits seem to be believe that they are fair game for both moral correction and policy punishment.

So our democracy grows meaner. Being an optimist I think that things will come full circle, in time. In those days, the straighteners and punishers may still be seen, but will rarely be heard.