It’s Neither Young Citizens Nor the Economy, Stupid: Exposing the Dynamics of Political Alienation in Australia

The concept of political alienation has a long history and behind it rests a complex of issues. Political alienation could be understood as a sense of powerlessness on the part of a citizen. Alienation could also stem from a view held by citizens that others-politicians and powerful interests- are breaking the rules, perverting politics to their own ends. This article, drawing on original survey data collected in 2013, sets out to explore political alienation in Australia and place it in a comparative context . In doing so we show that political alienation is not the preserve of the young nor is simply a product of economic failure. Australia suffers from all-age political alienation in the context of a booming economy. The potentially gloomy implication of that finding is lightened by evidence that a different form of politics could perhaps challenge political disengagement.