3. In the wake of economic reform … new prospects for nation-building?

Has economic reform run its course? What potential remains for the resumption of nation-building progress? Contrary to expectations, Canberra is emerging from 20 years of neo-liberalism with disciplined government, ample revenues, an effective regulative apparatus and — perhaps — the capacity for government to steer the economy towards a brighter future. These prospects are weighed against the negative impacts of neo-liberalism on our institutions and then examined from the three viewpoints of: (1) our national political experience; (2) the administrative apparatus; and, (3) popular expectations. This chapter then considers the dynamic energies inherent in the challenges, respectively, of climate change, infrastructure development, and economic policies based on the enhancement of quality of life.