The Public Life of Australian Multiculturalism

This book argues that in a globalising world in which nation-states have to manage population flows and intensifying cultural diversity within their borders, multicultural policy and approaches have never been more important. The author takes an extended case study approach, examining Australia's experiments with pragmatic forms of multiculturalism and multicultural policy since the early 1970s up to the present. The Public Life of Australian Multiculturalism challenges some larger assumptions about multiculturalism either that it undermines national identity or that it is, and should strive to be, a post-national approach to identity issues. Instead, it argues that framing multiculturalism by inclusive national identity has been the key to multiculturalism's continuity and general success in Australia. The book also directly challenges the claim that we have entered a post-multicultural world, making a case instead for the continuing relevance of pragmatic approaches to multiculturalism.

Students and scholars researching in sociology, politics, migration, multiculturalism, ethnic and racial studies, nationalism, and identity studies will find this study of interest.

Comprehensively assesses the political history of Australian multiculturalism Analyses both left wing and right wing critiques Engages with Indigenous and multicultural imaginaries, and cosmopolitan/post-multicultural critiques

Autorentext

Anthony Moran is Senior Lecturer in Sociology in the Department of Social Inquiry at La Trobe University, Australia. He has published widely on race, ethnicity, nationalism, multiculturalism, cosmopolitanism and indigenous/settler politics.

Inhalt

Introduction.- 1. Multiculturalism, Australian Style: Official Multiculturalism from Whitlam to Fraser.- 2. Multiculturalism as Social Justice: The Hawke and Keating Governments.- 3. Enduring in Practice if not in Name? Official Multiculturalism During and Beyond the Howard Government.- 4. Multiculturalism and Australian National Identity.- 5. Aboriginal and Multicultural Imaginaries: Tensions, Accommodations, Reconciliation.- 6. Post-Multicultural Australia? Cosmopolitan Critique and the Future of Australian Multiculturalism.- Conclusion.