Items related to 51st State? (Scribe Short Books)
Australian prime ministers since Harold Holt have all fostered close relationships with the United States, but John Howard has initiated economic and military policies that have bound the two countries even tighter. As a result, many Australians now believe that not only our sovereignty but also our very identity as a nation is under threat, and that we are fast becoming America's 51st state.
If this view is correct, it should be reflected not only in our foreign policy but also in our domestic policies. Indeed, the weakening of social safety nets, the privatisation of areas long seen as government responsibilities, and the signing of the Free Trade Agreement all point to the triumph of US-style neo-liberalism.
Yet, as Dennis Altman shows, the story is not so simple. Even as official rhetoric immerses us ever deeper into the US worldview, the resilience of the Australian social contract is imposing real limits on the application of neo-liberal principles. And, despite his enthusiastic membership of the coalition of the willing, Howard has assiduously cultivated economic and political ties within our region which, as the global balance of power shifts, will become increasingly relevant.
In this elegant and sophisticated meditation on Australian identity, Altman suggests that the tendency to attribute malign American influence to everything we dislike about the contemporary world is the flipside of seeing the US as the only model worthy of emulation, and serves to conceal the deeper questions we face namely, how does Australia imagine its future?
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About the Author:
Review:
Dennis Altman is professor of politics at La Trobe University. He is the author of eleven books, most recently Gore Vidal's America, Global Sex, and the memoir Defying Gravity. He was professor of Australian studies at Harvard (2005), and held visiting fellowships at New York University (2002) and University of Chicago (1997). He has served on a range of international committees on HIV/AIDS, and served as president of the AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific between 2001 and 2005. He was named by the Bulletin in June 2006 as one of the 100 most influential Australians ever.
A 'provocative new book'.
(Antony Loewenstein Sun-Herald)‘This is a thoughtful essay by Dennis Altman which poses many questions, provides some answers, and gives food for thought to the reader, as any good essayist should.’
(Eureka Street)'Altman tackles a number of contemporary issues in order to examine the impact of Americanisation on Australia: "the rise of unfettered capitalism"; the cultural wars; religion, morality and politics; ethnic policies; as well as the present condition of their contrasting political systems.'
(Neal Blewett Australian Book Review)A 'remarkable little book.'
(Bulletin)51st State? is a 'thoughtful extended essay on Australian identity if a US-dominated world ... The book is refreshing because it is logical and moderate in tone ― a break from the often over-heated commentary which marks the battleground between Australian conservative commentators and leftish intellectuals.'
(The Courier Mail)'This is a readily digestible primer for those who have just assumed we must be following obsequiously in Uncle Sam's steps.'
(Daily Telegraph)'Read this book. It will encourage real thought about our relations with the US rather than juvenile exchanges of insults. And maybe it will encourage us to accept responsibility to find out own way, rather than moan about the influence of the Americans.'
(The Australian)'Altman's book, as one might suspect, is a thoughtful and informed guide to our own successes and shortcomings and necessary reading for those trying to sort out a positive future relationship with America.'
(The Age)‘If you want to understand where Australia stands at the beginning of the twenty-first century and where it is heading, then 51st State? is a must read. Four stars.’
(Bookseller & Publisher)"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherScribe US
- Publication date2006
- ISBN 10 1920769986
- ISBN 13 9781920769987
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages144
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51st State? (Paperback)
Published by
Scribe Publications, Carlton North
(2006)
ISBN 10: 1920769986
ISBN 13: 9781920769987
New
Paperback
First Edition
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Australian prime ministers since Harold Holt have all fostered close relationships with the United States, but John Howard has initiated economic and military policies that have bound the two countries even tighter. As a result, many Australians now believe that not only our sovereignty but also our very identity as a nation is under threat, and that we are fast becoming America's 51st state.If this view is correct, it should be reflected not only in our foreign policy but also in our domestic policies. Indeed, the weakening of social safety nets, the privatisation of areas long seen as government responsibilities, and the signing of the Free Trade Agreement all point to the triumph of US-style neo-liberalism.Yet, as Dennis Altman shows, the story is not so simple. Even as official rhetoric immerses us ever deeper into the US worldview, the resilience of the Australian social contract is imposing real limits on the application of neo-liberal principles. And, despite his enthusiastic membership of the coalition of the willing, Howard has assiduously cultivated economic and political ties within our region which, as the global balance of power shifts, will become increasingly relevant.In this elegant and sophisticated meditation on Australian identity, Altman suggests that the tendency to attribute malign American influence to everything we dislike about the contemporary world is the flipside of seeing the US as the only model worthy of emulation, and serves to conceal the deeper questions we face namely, how does Australia imagine its future? Poses the question: are Australian politics being Americanised? While Australian prime ministers, since Harold Holt, have desired close relationships with the White House, John Howard has initiated economic, geo-political, and military policies that link the two countries even more closely. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781920769987
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51st State? (Paperback)
Published by
Scribe Publications, Carlton North
(2006)
ISBN 10: 1920769986
ISBN 13: 9781920769987
New
Paperback
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Australian prime ministers since Harold Holt have all fostered close relationships with the United States, but John Howard has initiated economic and military policies that have bound the two countries even tighter. As a result, many Australians now believe that not only our sovereignty but also our very identity as a nation is under threat, and that we are fast becoming America's 51st state.If this view is correct, it should be reflected not only in our foreign policy but also in our domestic policies. Indeed, the weakening of social safety nets, the privatisation of areas long seen as government responsibilities, and the signing of the Free Trade Agreement all point to the triumph of US-style neo-liberalism.Yet, as Dennis Altman shows, the story is not so simple. Even as official rhetoric immerses us ever deeper into the US worldview, the resilience of the Australian social contract is imposing real limits on the application of neo-liberal principles. And, despite his enthusiastic membership of the coalition of the willing, Howard has assiduously cultivated economic and political ties within our region which, as the global balance of power shifts, will become increasingly relevant.In this elegant and sophisticated meditation on Australian identity, Altman suggests that the tendency to attribute malign American influence to everything we dislike about the contemporary world is the flipside of seeing the US as the only model worthy of emulation, and serves to conceal the deeper questions we face namely, how does Australia imagine its future? Poses the question: are Australian politics being Americanised? While Australian prime ministers, since Harold Holt, have desired close relationships with the White House, John Howard has initiated economic, geo-political, and military policies that link the two countries even more closely. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781920769987
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51st State? (Paperback)
Published by
Scribe Publications, Carlton North
(2006)
ISBN 10: 1920769986
ISBN 13: 9781920769987
New
Paperback
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Australian prime ministers since Harold Holt have all fostered close relationships with the United States, but John Howard has initiated economic and military policies that have bound the two countries even tighter. As a result, many Australians now believe that not only our sovereignty but also our very identity as a nation is under threat, and that we are fast becoming America's 51st state.If this view is correct, it should be reflected not only in our foreign policy but also in our domestic policies. Indeed, the weakening of social safety nets, the privatisation of areas long seen as government responsibilities, and the signing of the Free Trade Agreement all point to the triumph of US-style neo-liberalism.Yet, as Dennis Altman shows, the story is not so simple. Even as official rhetoric immerses us ever deeper into the US worldview, the resilience of the Australian social contract is imposing real limits on the application of neo-liberal principles. And, despite his enthusiastic membership of the coalition of the willing, Howard has assiduously cultivated economic and political ties within our region which, as the global balance of power shifts, will become increasingly relevant.In this elegant and sophisticated meditation on Australian identity, Altman suggests that the tendency to attribute malign American influence to everything we dislike about the contemporary world is the flipside of seeing the US as the only model worthy of emulation, and serves to conceal the deeper questions we face namely, how does Australia imagine its future? Poses the question: are Australian politics being Americanised? While Australian prime ministers, since Harold Holt, have desired close relationships with the White House, John Howard has initiated economic, geo-political, and military policies that link the two countries even more closely. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781920769987
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