The politics of identity in Australia
By: edited by Geoffrey Stokes.
Contributors: Stokes, Geoff, 1949-
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Cambridge, England; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 222
Subjects: National characteristics, Australian; Political culture -- Australia -- History -- 20th century; Australia -- Politics and government -- 1945-
Description: Issues of identity are central to many historical and current debates in Australia. This superb collection of essays represents a significant rethinking of received ideas on identity, and reveals how issues of identity lie at the heart of Australian political thought, and form the foundation of Australian society and culture. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the political discourse surrounding Australian identity through key themes including identity theory, the manipulation of identity for political ends, gender and sexuality, immigration and national identity, citizenship and Aboriginality, and literature and film. The book rejects many of the assumptions underlying contemporary political debates, including the promulgation of a singular national identity in historical fact or as a political goal. This is a thought-provoking study of identity, its links with nationalism, and its potentially divisive effects.--Publisher description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-213) and index.