Riding the equality wave: Generalising public support for a more inclusive society

Abstract

Although debate on social inclusion issues continues to be polarising, with loud voices eschewing or espousing ‘political correctness’ and the need for social change, there are recent indications both in Australia and around the world that citizens are demanding greater equality and opportunities for all. Certainly, the public vote for marriage equality signalled much positivity in Australia in response to the strength of the vote and the total number who participated. Indeed, the need to legislate for wider human rights protections was raised in the subsequent political jostling that preceded the enactment of marriage equality legislation (Gribbin, 2017). That this led to more discussion of whether a Bill of Rights (or similar) was needed for Australians was most unexpected. Furthermore, issues relating to gender equality and equal pay in Australia continue to gain more traction, assisted in part by some recent, well publicised cases (for example, Stuart, 2017). Internationally, the social movement to end sexual abuse and harassment, following the exposure of high profile cases in the entertainment industry, politics, and sport, has become a juggernaut. The leaking of information detailing secretive off-shore, tax avoidance arrangements of the world’s elite and multinational companies, as most recently reflected in the widespread reporting of ‘Paradise papers’ (for example, Garside, 2017) provides further support for the idea that there is growing intolerance of inequalities and power imbalances. To highlight these issues in isolation, however, masks the true complexity and scale of the efforts required to affect real change and the numerous challenges that still need to be addressed, both in Australia and across the world. Notable examples include the failure to recognise the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ to progress recognition of first Australians, and the treatment of refugee and asylum seekers internationally. Despite some evidence indicating there are structural determinants of more inclusive attitudes at the population level, for instance, cognitive ability, social status and education (for example, Perales, 2017; Schoon, Cheng, Gale, Batty, & Deary, 2010), the challenge for researchers and practitioners alike is how do we build on, expand and generalise inclusive behaviours, policy, and practices for the advancement of other social justice issues?