The packaging of Australia : politics and culture wars

"Politicians, intellectuals and ideologues have all attempted to create recipes for the transformation and redemption of contemporary Australia. In recent years economic rationalism, the concept of the 'clever country', republicanism and multiculturalism have been proclaimed as 'magic bullets' promising a new and better Australia. There are also nostalgic packages represented by Pauline Hanson's One Nation and her 'new populist' allies."--BOOK JACKET. "Gregory Melleuish examines these approaches and questions the need to reinvent the national identity. He argues for pluralism, and against dogmatic approaches to identity and nationhood, which he believes may prevent the flourishing of culture as the free creation of individuals and associations."--Jacket In this thoughtful and sceptical analysis, Dr. Melleuish dissects the current and recent attempts to "repackage" the Australian nation. He critically examines various approaches and questions the need to re- invent the national identity. He argues for pluralism, and against dogmatic approaches to identity and nationhood.