E-Book Overview
Given Australia’s status as an (unfinished) colonial project of the British Empire, the basic institutions that were installed in its so-called ‘empty’ landscape derive from a value-laden framework borne out of industrialization, colonialism, the consolidation of the national statist system and democracy – all entities imbued with British Enlightenment principles and thinking. Modernity in Australia has thus been constituted by the importation, assumption and triumph of the Western mind – materially, psychologically, culturally, socio-legally and cartographically. ‘Inside Australian Culture: Legacies of Enlightenment Values’ offers a critical intervention into the continuing effects of colonization in Australia and the structures it brought, which still inform and dominate its public culture. Through a careful analysis of three disparate but significant moments in Australian history, the authors investigate the way the British Enlightenment continues to dominate contemporary Australian thinking and values. Employing the lens of Indian cultural theorist Ashis Nandy, the authors argue for an Australian public culture that is profoundly conscious of its assumptions, history and limitations. ‘Through powerful analysis, the five voices in this book propose a new normative rationale to counteract the modern fundamentalisation of Enlightenment underpinning Australian public culture.’ —Susan Ballyn, University of Barcelona ‘This book is a bold statement on issues of deep importance in Australian life: our cultural history, our racial politics, and the shape of our public culture. The authors have produced a highly readable and also disturbing book, most relevant to our disturbing times.’ —Raewyn Connell, University of Sydney ‘Inside Australian Culture digs into Australia’s past to provide an open scrutiny of the values that shape a culture and a nation. I commend this book for encouraging lively debates on how to foster an inclusive, equal Australia.’ —Elisabeth Porter, University of South Australia
E-Book Content
Inside Australian Culture Anthem Australian Humanities Research Series The Anthem Australian Humanities Research Series incorporates a broad range of titles on the past, present and future of Australia, comprising an excellent collection of interdisciplinary academic texts. The series aims to promote the most challenging and original work being undertaken in the field by both Australian and non-Australian scholars on Australian culture, society, politics, history and literature. Some of the most innovative research in both the traditional and new humanities today is being done by scholars in the Australian humanities, including literature, history, book history, print culture, cinema, new media and digital cultures, gender studies, cultural studies and indigenous studies. Series Editor Robert Dixon – University of Sydney, Australia Editorial Board Alison Bashford – University of Sydney, Australia Jill Bennett – University of New South Wales, Australia Nicholas Birns – Eugene Lang College of the New School, USA Frances Bonner – University of Queensland, Australia David Carter – University of Queensland, Australia Barbara Creed – University of Melbourne, Australia Martin Crotty – University of Queensland, Australia Paul Eggert – University of New South Wales, Australia John Frow – University of Melbourne, Australia Ken Gelder – University of Melbourne, Australia Helen Gilbert – Royal Holloway, University of London, UK Gerard Goggin – University of Sydney, Australia Bridget Griffen-Foley – Macquarie University, Australia Ian Henderson – King’s College London, UK Jeanette