Politics · Australia · 8 hrs ago
Column links political anger to economic and technological change
Voters in Australia and elsewhere are increasingly angry and disappointed, a columnist argues, amid economic strain and political disillusionment.
The column says the economic model used across much of the developed world for more than 40 years has increasingly put commercial value on everyday activities, while radical populist movements have gained ground.
It argues that political leaders’ shortcomings are only part of the explanation, and that past leaders’ methods cannot simply be reused in a changed media environment.
Social media and smartphones have transformed how people get information, alongside the arrival of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and widely used artificial intelligence tools.
The column points to repeated changes of prime minister and falling popularity in Australia since the iPhone era began, from Kevin Rudd’s time in office through Anthony Albanese’s government.
It says voters have become more impatient and disillusioned, while trust and the ability to engage with complex information are under pressure.
The column does not describe a specific next step or policy response.
The column argues that political anger and voter disillusionment stem partly from long-term economic and technological changes, not only from politicians’ failings.
It says an economic model based on privatisation, financialisation and monetising daily life is increasingly under strain.
The writer links the rise of social media and smartphones to changes in how people assess information, trust politicians and engage in politics.
The column traces growing instability in Australian politics from the iPhone era, including repeated leadership changes and shifting voter support.
- Who
- The column’s author examines voters’ anger and disillusionment in Australia and elsewhere.
- What
- It argues that economic and technological change helps explain political dissatisfaction and the rise of populism.
- When
- Published on October 15, 2026, according to the article text.
- Where
- Australia and other parts of the world, including Europe, the UK, and North and South America.
- Why
- The writer points to strains in the economic system and a technological revolution that has changed how people encounter information and politics.
Political-failings explanation
Broader economic-and-technological explanation
Cause of voter disillusionment
Political-failings explanation
Poor political salesmanship, policy failures and leaders’ shortcomings are cited as causes.
Broader economic-and-technological explanation
Political failings are not a complete explanation; economic change and technological disruption also matter.
John Howard won his last election, and Facebook had just launched.
Twitter arrived, according to the column.
The first iPhone arrived, shortly before Kevin Rudd led Labor to victory.
Tony Abbott led the Coalition back into office.
Abbott was replaced by Malcolm Turnbull.
Albanese became prime minister after Labor won the election.
- Economic model
- Privatisation, financialisation and monetisation of daily life
- Facebook launch
- 2004
- First iPhone
- 2007
- TikTok went international
- 2017
- ChatGPT release
- Late 2022
- Article date
- October 15, 2026
What people are saying
We’re living in a great age of disappointment and disinformation.
Something powerful is going on in the way that we assess information and accept complexity, and how much trust in politicians exists in society.
We are caught up in a global phenomenon created by a technological revolution that rivals the invention of the printing press and industrialisation.