Politics can loosely be defined as the moral and ethical standards by which we conduct ourselves as participants of a functioning society.
What is government?
Government is the institution set up to easily facillitate and enable everyone to complete that participation.
What is democracy?
Democracy is the process whereby that institutioned is set up and maintained by the people in the interests of the people.
Australia has a democractic system of government.
What is politics in Australia?
As with pretty much every other democratic governement in the world, 'politics' is fat guys in suits yelling at each other across the floor of parliament on the telly. 'Politics' is the thing we do reluctantly every couple of years when we vote.
Politics is no longer for the interests of the people. And the people no longer have THAT much control in the process of government. Sure, we can vote them out when they fuck it up, but that's about it.
Therefore, to quote the situationalists:
This is basically the idea that every action you make is a political one. For a girl who feels pressured to conform to conventional ideas of beauty, dyeing her hair crazy colours and getting tatts like a mad demon on the smack is an act of political defiance (Hey hun ; ) ). For a band, self funding all their releases, and mainting control over everything from ticket prices to merch (or lack thereof), while existing in a corporate music industry (a la fugazi) is an act of defiance. For an artist, refusing to kiss a gallery owner's boots to get their work displayed, and instead organising their own exhibitions, or putting their work on a much more public display (like graffitti) is an act of defiance. For a kid who's just pissed off, opinionated, and wants to shout at people (cough cough), doing a zine is an act of defiance.
The key of course it to not make such a big deal out of it. Because it makes you sound like a prat if you're all like "I refuse to wipe my butt when I take a shit! TAKE THAT, CAPITALIST SYSTEM!"
I consider myself a 'political' person. I'm not a communist or a socialist or anything like that. I do have a lot in common with some far left ideologies, and conversely, most far right schools of though disgust and repel me. But I feel politics, as with lifestyle choices (ie veganism and straight edge), as well as religion and other forms of spirituatlity, should be a personal thing. Once you get people involved laying down rules and guidelines, then the ideas become compromised. Because something that's set out with the best of intentions becomes all too easily tainted by people's obsessions, baises, desires, failings, and ambitions.
That's why communism failed.
That's why anarchy will NEVER work (sorry, but people are just too fucked up).
That's why I didn't support S11. I liked the idea, but did not want to be seen to be representing other people's agendas. So I changed my mind about a month beforehand and decided not to go. Doesn't mean I don't oppose certain things. It jsut means I express my opposition in different ways.
So, if pushed to give myself a nice label, I guess I'd call myself a situationalist (hahahaha, I just TOTALLY contradicted myself there). Because I believe that my very existence can be construed as a political act. I try to make everything I do - from overt reactions like refusing to buy certain products, to little things like actually articulating to myself why a I disagree with a certain news clip or editorial letter - defiant by it's own nature.
What was it I said about sounding like a prat? : )
Well of course I only succeed in this maybe 50% of the time. But I'm slowly learning that compromise is an inevitable part of human nature.
I feel that democracy is really our only option until people all cool out and get a bit nicer to each other (hah, like that's ever gonna happen). So the way I can feel comfortable with my own existance within this (in name at least) democratic society - which is really our only option - is to lead a life of quiet, but consitent defiance.
Like I've said above, it's no big deal. But it IS a way to make politics fun again.
Why the hell should we need a revolution? Especially in Australia. Read Goldstein's book in George Orwell's 1984 and you will see the inevitable pointlessness of such an act. As far as I'm concerned, no ideology is worth the cost of a single human life. Brian from Botch put it beautifully in an interview with Law of Intertia fanzine:
Bollocks to that kids, let's give the revolution som fucking STYLE. Let's make politics fun again!
Your absolute reference for this should be Denis Lyxzen (formerly of Refused) and the [International] Noise Conspiracy. Because those kids no how to do it with STYLE.
The revolution will come through your own behaviour, and here's what you can do:
>>>Dance with your friends to the muzak in shopping centres and supermarkets.
>>>Three simple words, TAKE THE PISS. As often as possible.
>>>If a friend says something stupid or close minded, don't be afraid to call them on it. Don't be a jerk, just let them know that you disagree and it offends you.
>>>Watch a music video clip, commercial news program, or drama serial, and write down all the patriachal, corporate, or americo-centric ideas in implicit in the content.
>>>Laugh at others, then Laugh at yourself. Then Laugh together.
>>>Hug your friends more often. Tell them that you love them.
>>>Talk to people you've never seen before at shows. If it's their first time there, make them feel really welcome, introduce them to all your friends, make them feel like their contribution is valued and wanted.
>>>If people use words like 'gay' and 'fag' as insults in your presence, call them 'straight' and 'breeder' like it's a dirty word.
>>>Watch as much Michael Moore as possible. Try to emulate some of his ideas.
>>>Do a zine. don't write articles that you think people wanna hear, write articles on stuff that you care about. Write straight from your heart, via your brain. It doesn't matter what it looks like. It ca beautifully laid out, or it can be a single, handwritten, photocopied page. So long as the content is heartfelt and honest, that's all that matters.
>>>If people are being violent or having major eltist attitudes at shows, call them on it. Butnot by having a go at them. Just take the piss and satirise in as funny a way as possible.
>>>Have sex in weird places. Or if you're doing it in the bedroom, turn the lights on and open the curtains so you can SEE who you're with. While you're doing it, make sure you both/all scream and yell as loud as you can.
>>>Dress inappropriately for the occasion (ie, wear a 'life, be in it' tshirt to a funeral).
>>>Make up your own weird surveys with questions like 'did you ever watch your grandparents dancing as a kid?', then get people in the street to complete them under the pretext of market research.
>>>Kiss and hold your special person in public ten times more often than you already do.
>>>Write 'pro choice' on every page of every magazine in doctor's waiting rooms.
>>>Sing weezer songs to yourself in public.
>>>Graffitti jokes and cartoons in public toilets and bus shelters.
>>>Smile and engage complete strangers in conversation on public transport. Ask them about their lives, their families, and the things that give them happiness.
>>>Watch more ABC, SBS, Discovery Channel, etc documentaries on really esoteric subjects.
>>>Make your first date a tour of small indepedent art galleries.
>>>Write feminist slogans, or encouraging, positive comments on every bank note that passes through your hands.
>>>Attempt to engage religious propagandists in public debate.Ask themfor solid proof that God exists.
>>>Dress however you want. Whether it's a suit, your baggy shorts and hardcore tshirt, or tracksuit pants and a flannel shirt, act like it's the height of fashion, because it's your style.
>>>Write letters to the editor of a major newspaper under different names, from different sides of a major social issue. See how long you can prolong an arguement with yourself on the 'letters to the editor' page.
>>>Take cups of coffee and hot doughnuts to prostitutes on street corners, and talk to them.
>>>Sing inappropriate songs (like Coalesce or Nora or someone like that) as loud as possible with your friends in the street.
