The Chains of Colonial Inheritance: Searching for Identity in a Subservient NationUNSW Press, 2004 - 208 pages Explores the issue of Australia's ongoing difficulties in establishing an independent national identity. He then traces these difficulties to what he identifies as 'unresolved issues' in Australian society inherited from the colonial days, including the 'hybrid' political system, a hostility to non-Europeans, resistance to reconciliation, the rejection of multiculturalism, the ongoing degradation of the natural environment, and a lack of serious engagement with Asian and Pacific countries despite our geographic proximity. |
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Aboriginal accept adversarial system Anglo-Celtic areas argued arguments Asia Asian asylum-seekers attitudes Australian citizenship Australian history Australian identity Australian national identity Australian political Australian society Britain British Canberra cent century claim Coalition colonial inheritance commentators Commonwealth concept conservative Constitution continue cultural diversity debate decision East Timor economic Empire English ethnic European example fear Federation Gallipoli heritage Hirst historians ibid immigration intake immigration program important Indigenous Australians Indigenous population industries institutions interests invaders James Jupp John Howard Jupp labour land leaders legend mainstream Melbourne ment multicultural society multiculturalism myth natural environment neighbouring countries observed Parliament party past Paul Keating Paul Kelly perspective Peter Howson politicians present Prime Minister problem production question racism reconciliation region relations role seen settlers significant social South Australia Stephen Castles Sydney terra nullius tion trade treaty unresolved issues views Westminster system