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