This week, the world watched the United States’ election results, recognising the importance of American democracy not just for its citizens, but for global freedom. At the same time, closer to home in Melbourne, thousands of people celebrated the spring racing carnival, an annual event characterised by a week of horse racing, champagne, barbecues, and festive gatherings. It is a time of enjoyment that epitomises the freedoms and pleasures afforded to citizens in a liberal democracy like Australia.
In the midst of these manifestations of our prosperity and freedom, lies November 7, a day honouring victims of communism. This is the Gregorian calendar date of the storming of the Winter Palace in 1917 by the Bolsheviks. It is crucial that we pause to remember the millions of lives lost and the millions who have suffered under the darkness of communist regimes. The contrast between the joyous atmosphere of the Cup carnival and the harsh realities faced by those who suffered under communism serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of freedom.
As citizens of a free society, we too easily take for granted the right to debate, criticise, and engage in political discourse without fear of reprisal. Free and fair elections are a core manifestation of genuine democracy. The ability of citizens to cast a vote for their preferred candidates underscores the power of the individual to shape government. But elections are more than a procedural exercise; they are a testament to the ideals of freedom that have come to define liberal democracies around the world. Debates surrounding issues such as economic policy, healthcare, immigration, and national security reflect a broader conversation about the role of government in the lives of its people. Whether we agree or disagree with the outcome, the fact that we can freely participate in these discussions is a privilege denied to hundreds of millions of people throughout history.
The vibrancy of democratic life stands in sharp contrast to the lives led by those under oppressive communist regimes. In places like the Soviet Union, China, Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, and North Korea, millions of people have lived, and continue to live, under the weight of totalitarianism. The freedom to speak, to move, to celebrate, and even to think have been curtailed or eradicated entirely.
Communism, while ideologically framed as a means to promote equality and shared ownership, has resulted in the suppression of individual rights, the brutal implementation of collectivist policies, and the deaths of an estimated 100 million people. Wherever the communist ideology has been implemented, it has quickly led to terror, torture, famine, mass deportations, and massacres. From the mass starvation during the Ukrainian Holodomor to the millions who perished during Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward, communism’s death toll is staggering. These regimes have, time and again, prioritised the state over the individual, leading to immense human suffering.
In 2023 a poll commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs and Canada’s Fraser Institute, worryingly showed Australia had the second-highest level of support for communism (20 per cent) in the 18-34 age group among those nations polled (Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom). 40 per cent of Australians polled supported socialism as the ideal economic system – and that percentage increases to 53 per cent among 18–34-year-olds. But only 35 per cent of Australian respondents, regardless of age group, understood socialism using its true meaning – that is, the government owning the means of production.
Communism, for all its promises of equality, leads to the concentration of power in the hands of the few, resulting in the widespread abuse of human rights. While remembering the victims of communism we also honour the resilience of those who have fought against authoritarianism. Many individuals have risked their lives to speak out against these regimes. By remembering their struggles, we reaffirm our commitment to the values of freedom, justice, and human dignity.
The political and economic freedoms we enjoy today are by no means guaranteed. Freedom is a gift that must be cherished, protected, and extended to all. It must be actively defended and protected.
On November 7, by remembering the victims of communism, we also help ensure we do not repeat the mistakes of the past. The Institute of Public Affairs has recorded the stories victims of communism, which serve as a sobering reminder of what happens when societies turn away from democratic principles. There has been a great response and a groundswell is building to have Australia’s political leaders officially designate the 7 of November as a national day of remembrance for them. This day is already recognised by a growing number of states in the United States of America.
We must never forget that liberty is a hard-fought and fragile ideal. Only by remembering the lessons of the past can we ensure a future where freedom and democracy continue to flourish.
Colleen Harkin is a Research Fellow and National Manager of the Class Action program at the Institute of Public Affairs.
