David Syme, Charles H. Pearson and the Democratic Ideal in Australia

Abstract

This paper argues that the writings of David Syme and Charles H Pearson are important for understanding the history of the ideal of democracy in Australia. Although Syme did not write directly on democracy, his writings on political economy and political representation focused on issues relevant to democratic theory. His Outlines of an Industrial Science argued for the dominance of the social and the ethical over the economic and for the role of the state in enforcing that dominance. His Representative Government in England advocated the case for the delegate theory of democracy, in effect meant the particular interests of the majority. Pearson also argued the case for this version of majoritarian democracy. His National Life and Character concluded that it would lead to the suppression of individualism.

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Notes on contributors

Gregory Melleuish

Gregory Melleuish is an Associate Professor in the School of History and Politics at the University of Wollongong where he teaches in the areas of Australian politics and political theory. He is the author of Cultural Liberalism in Australia (CUP: 1995).