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Such economic disparity..gives some people far more choices and opportunities
than others. Thus, capitalism looks undemocratic in so far as such a system
attends to the needs of only the well-to-do. (Macionis et al, 1997, p.443).
Australia is a democratic society built on extensive bureaucracy, a bureaucracy
that consists of corporate businesses who yield considerable influence and
social power in political decisions. The economic principles of the Government
and it's affiliated bureaucracy adhere to capitalism providing political
liberties for those of wealth and social power but not providing for the low
income earners. (Macionis et al, 1997). The proposed introduction of the Goods
and Services Tax in the Federal Government's tax reform plan is an example of
sustaining the inequalities that a capitalist economy supports. For all intents
and purposes the tax reform package is long overdue and does have viability in
some areas in the economic restructuring of Australia's current taxation system,
but overall it is discriminating toward the low to middle income earner and
sustains the inequity of the current Australian capitalist economy. Under the
regime of a capitalist economy, poverty will continue to coexist with affluence,
a situation that is a legitimate feature of modern capitalist societies. In
Australian society, the Federal Government claims that the proposed
restructuring of the taxation system will not be inequitable for any Australian.
Yet it sustains the status quo for the low to middle income earner whilst
maximising advantages and benefits for those individuals and businesses of
wealth and social influence.
On balance, does a capitalist economy promote a fair distribution of wealth
and social power? I say not. BIBLIOGRAPHY A Current Affair with Ray Martin Media
Transcript No. 53, 1998, Tax Reform (online). Available at URL: http:/www.taxreform.gov.au/media/tsr053.htm
(Accessed 25 March 1999). ACOSS Media Release 1998, Two million living in
poverty, (online). Available at URL: http:/www.acoss.org.au/media/1998/poverty_facts.htm
(Accessed 30 April 1999). ACOSS Media Release 1999, ACOSS EXPOSES RAW NERVE:
What the Treasurer giveth in tax cuts he mostly taketh away in GST, (online).
Available at URL: http:/www.acoss.org.au/media/1999/mr990215.htm (Accessed 30
April 1999). ACOSS Media Release 1999, GST: a million worse off now, another
million worse off late, (online). Available at URL: http:/www.acoss.org.au/media/1999/mr990413.htm
(Accessed 30 April 1999). ACOSS Media Release 1999, Tax figures show a divided
Australia, (online). Available at URL: http:/www.acoss.org.au/media/1999/mr990317.htm
(Accessed 30 April 1999). Anon 1999, Senator wants rethink on GST compensation,
The Daily Mercury, 22 April. P.16. Bennett, R. (1992) Australian Society and
Government (5th ed.) Sydney: M.M. & B. Book Company. Macionis, J. and Plummer,
K. (1997) Sociology a global introduction. London:Prentice Hall Europe. NTAA
Media Release 1998, GST and Education - Beware!, (online). Available at URL:
http:/www.ntaa.com.au/07gstand.htm (Accessed 25 March 1999). NTAA Media Release
1998, Kerry Packer Pays $2.87 In Tax, (online). Available at URL: http:/www.ntaa.com.au/10kerpac.htm
(Accessed 25 March 1999). Sargent, M., Nilan, P. and Winter, G. (1997) The New
Sociology for Australians. (4th ed.) South Melbourne: Addison, Wesley, Longman.
The Howard Government's Plan for a New Tax System (1998), Tax Reform: not a new
tax a new tax system, Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service
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