A Free Country

Australians’ Search for Utopia 1861–1901

David Kemp
Hardback
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A Free Country

Australians’ Search for Utopia 1861–1901

David Kemp
A new democracy observes the birth of modern politics.
A Free Country: Australians' Search for Utopia 1861-1901 tells how Australians, inspired by their new democracy, attempted to use their freedom to build a society without social and economic conflict As the second book in a landmark five-volume Australian Liberalism series, A Free Country shows the successes and missteps in the attempt to establish the legal and moral foundations for a liberal society in Australia, examining the ideological battles of the period. The national politics of twentieth-century Australia had their roots during this time, as utopian dreams of 'social reconstruction' opposed liberal ideals of individual freedom, fostering the concept of 'class wars' and leading to the ongoing involvement of trade unions in politics. As emerging collective ideas of nationalism, empire, race and class challenged individual rights and threatened to seed domestic and international conflict, liberals succeeded in bringing the six colonies into one Australian nation founded on liberal principles,…
A Free Country: Australians' Search for Utopia 1861-1901 tells how Australians, inspired by their new democracy, attempted to use their freedom to build a society without social and economic conflict. As the second book in a landmark five-volume Australian Liberalism series, A Free Country shows the successes and missteps in the attempt to establish the legal and moral foundations for a liberal society in Australia, examining the ideological battles of the period. The national politics of twentieth-century Australia had their roots during this time, as utopian dreams of 'social reconstruction' opposed liberal ideals of individual freedom, fostering the concept of 'class wars' and leading to the ongoing involvement of trade unions in politics. As emerging collective ideas of nationalism, empire, race and class challenged individual rights and threatened to seed domestic and international conflict, liberals succeeded in bringing the six colonies into one Australian nation founded on liberal principles, writing a constitution hailed as the most democratic in the world.

David Kemp

David Kemp

David Kemp's career spans academia and politics. From 1990 to 2004 he was a member of the federal parliament, and from 1996 was a minister in the Howard government, holding portfolios including Employment, Education, Youth Affairs, Training, and Environment. He was vice-president of the Executive Council and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service.

Before entering parliament, he was Professor of Politics at Monash University, and after leaving parliament has been Professor and…

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Hardback
Out of stock
Other formats available