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Australia Under Construction
Nation-building past, present and future
Edited by: John Butcher
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Description
The Australian nation is a work in progress. So conclude the authors whose views are represented in this most recent offering in the ANZSOG monograph series, Australia Under Construction: Nation-building past, present and future. From its beginnings as a settler society through to present day concerns about ‘broadbanding the nation’, the nation-building narrative has resonated with Australians. The very idea of nation-building has both excited the popular imagination about what we might achieve as a society and a nation, and has occasioned despair about missed opportunities. The eleven authors contributing to this monograph reflect on these, and other themes from a variety of perspectives. They challenge our understanding of the term ‘nation-building’, reflect on its contemporary relevance as a framework for public policy and even re-appraise the contribution of past ‘iconic’ nation-building endeavours. To this subject the authors bring intelligence, wit and a healthy disdain for sacred cows. A stimulating read for anyone interested in the history, challenges and prospects of nation-building in Australia.
Details
- ISBN (print):
- 9781921313776
- ISBN (online):
- 9781921313783
- Publication date:
- Apr 2008
- Imprint:
- ANU Press
- DOI:
- http://doi.org/10.22459/AUC.04.2008
- Series:
- Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)
- Co-publisher:
- The Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)
- Disciplines:
- Arts & Humanities: History; Business & Economics; Social Sciences: Anthropology, Politics & International Studies, Social Policy & Administration
- Countries:
- Australia; North America: United States
PDF Chapters
Australia Under Construction »
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- Nation-building in Australia: a discourse, iconic project or tradition of resonance? (PDF, 121KB) – John Wanna doi
- The unfinished business of nation-building (PDF, 141KB) – John Butcher doi
- In the wake of economic reform … new prospects for nation-building? (PDF, 170KB) – Michael Pusey doi
- The challenge of teaching Australian history (PDF, 166KB) – Anna Clark doi
- A passion for white elephants: some lessons from Australia’s experience of nation building (PDF, 132KB) – Dr Richard Evans doi
- Populate, parch and panic: two centuries of dreaming about nation-building in inland Australia (PDF, 166KB) – Dr Robert Wooding doi
- Australia’s fiscal straitjacket (PDF, 153KB) – Fred Argy doi
- The ‘Building Better Cities’ program 1991-96: a nation-building initiative of the Commonwealth Government (PDF, 1.9MB) – Lyndsay Neilson doi
- Stumbling towards nation-building: impediments to progress (PDF, 127KB) – Anthony F. Shepherd doi
- Broadbanding the nation: lessons from Canada or shortcomings in Australian federalism? (PDF, 192KB) – Michael de Percy doi
- Re-imagining the Australian state: political structures and policy strategies (PDF, 214KB) – Ian Marsh doi
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