Publisher's Synopsis
Why are so many people uninterested in politics in Australia, yet the same people decide who governs us? The Apathetic Country is the first book to focus on the power of politically apathetic voters. The authors show how uninterested citizens, forced to the ballot box in Australia, vote in arbitrary ways, with clear and dramatic effects on political outcomes. Ironically, the voters least interested in politics are those the politicians are most interested in. Political parties understand their impact and focus on manipulating and lying to attract their attention. This is why we have to endure Mediscare, claims that cows will cost as much as houses due to the carbon tax, and the shenanigans of One Nation. It is why Labor lost in 2019, and why Scott Morrison campaigned for the "quiet Australian" vote by shearing sheep and having a beer with guys with mullets. It resonated better with the voters who decide elections. Based on 15 years of research, The Apathetic Country explains the reasons for the lack of interest and knowledge of apathetic voters and proposes a radical solution. With the effects of political ignorance felt worldwide, this book is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of Australian politics and democracy.
