THE GOOD FIGHT.

The article examines the ideological foundations and evolution of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), focusing on the tension between idealism and political pragmatism in its approach to governance. It clarifies that Australian socialism, as embraced by Labor since 1921, has historically supported a mixed economy with state intervention to reduce exploitation and inequality, rather than the abolition of capitalism. Both Labor and the Liberal parties endorse markets and private property but differ in the degree of state involvement, with Labor advocating stronger regulation and social provision, exemplified by policies like Medicare. The article also traces shifts from a postwar consensus favoring government expansion to the neoliberal turn in the 1970s, highlighting how Labor has balanced market mechanisms with social welfare to appeal to voters. [Extracted from the article]