Conservatism in Australia: Difference between revisions
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'''Conservatism in Australia''' refers to the political philosophy of [[conservatism]] as it has developed in [[Australia]]]. |
'''Conservatism in Australia''' refers to the political philosophy of [[conservatism]] as it has developed in [[Australia]]]. It was a disparaging epithet used by radicals and Laborites and claimed by few until the late 20th century. Hirst says that as a strong movement, conservatism is "a very recent arrival in Australia. [[John Howard]], who became prime minister in 1996, was the first holder of the office to describe himself as a conservative."<ref>Graeme Davison et al. eds., ''The Oxford Companion to Australian History '' (2nd ed. 2001) p 148</ref> |
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Today the terms covers similar political issues as found in other Western democracies. In the early 20th century the self-styled "liberals" had connections with radicals and reform movements. However as Howard, the Liberal prime minister 1996-2007, has argued, the Liberal Party became the trustee of both the classical liberal and conservative traditions. That is it combines "liberal" (market-based, pro-business, anti-union) economic policies with conservative social policies.<ref>{{cite book|author=Judith Brett|title=Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class: From Alfred Deakin to John Howard|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=hG3H_oAKg5cC&pg=PA1|year= 2003|publisher=Cambridge U.P.|page=1}}</ref> |
Today the terms covers similar political issues as found in other Western democracies. In the early 20th century the self-styled "liberals" had connections with radicals and reform movements. However as Howard, the Liberal prime minister 1996-2007, has argued, the Liberal Party became the trustee of both the classical liberal and conservative traditions. That is it combines "liberal" (market-based, pro-business, anti-union) economic policies with conservative social policies.<ref>{{cite book|author=Judith Brett|title=Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class: From Alfred Deakin to John Howard|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=hG3H_oAKg5cC&pg=PA1|year= 2003|publisher=Cambridge U.P.|page=1}}</ref> |
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Conservatism in Australia refers to the political philosophy of conservatism as it has developed in Australia]. It was a disparaging epithet used by radicals and Laborites and claimed by few until the late 20th century. Hirst says that as a strong movement, conservatism is "a very recent arrival in Australia. John Howard, who became prime minister in 1996, was the first holder of the office to describe himself as a conservative."[1]
Today the terms covers similar political issues as found in other Western democracies. In the early 20th century the self-styled "liberals" had connections with radicals and reform movements. However as Howard, the Liberal prime minister 1996-2007, has argued, the Liberal Party became the trustee of both the classical liberal and conservative traditions. That is it combines "liberal" (market-based, pro-business, anti-union) economic policies with conservative social policies.[2]
Political parties
Political conservatism is primarily represented by the Liberal Party of Australia, and its coalition partner, the National Party which historically was the party of the small farmers and espoused agrarianism. Moser and Catley explain, "In America, 'liberal' means left-of-center, and it is a pejorative term when used by conservatives in adversarial political debate. In Australia, of course, the conservatives are in the Liberal Party."[3] Jupp points out that, "[the] decline in English influences on Australian reformism and radicalism, and appropriation of the symbols of Empire by conservatives continued under the Liberal Party leadership of Sir Robert Menzies, which lasted until 1966."[4] Beecher comments that, "across the economic and cultural landscape, Howard proved that the centre of politics in Australia is inherently conservative."[5]
There have been other minor parties which may be perceived to be conservative or right wing in orientation on account of some of their policies, including the One Nation Party, Shooters Party and Pauline's United Australia Party, although many would not champion classical liberal approach to economics adopted by the Liberal Party.[6]
Conservative think tanks in Australia include Centre for Independent Studies, the H. R. Nicholls Society and the Menzies Research Centre.[7]
In Australia however there are some differences in the political landscape in which conservatism exists, compared to what is found in other countries. Australia undertook significant economic reform under Prime Minister Paul Keating of the centre-left Australian Labor Party in the mid-1980s. Kelly concludes that, In the 1980s both Labor and non-Labor underwent internal philosophical revolutions to support a new set of ideas – faith in markets, deregulation, a reduced role for government, low protection and the creation of a new cooperative enterprise culture."[8] Consequently issues like protectionism, welfare reform, privatisation and deregulation are no longer debated as intensely as they are in Europe or North America.
Republicanism
Whether Australia should remain a monarchy or become a republic was a contentious issue in the 1990s; it is presently not seen as a priority under the current government. In 1998 when debate peaked, Howard took the monarchist position favoured by most conservatives. Howard argued that the monarchy had provided a long period of stability and whilst he said there was no question that Australia was a fully independent nation, he believed that the "separation of the ceremonial and executive functions of government" and the presence of a neutral "defender of constitutional integrity" was an advantage in government and that no republican model would be as effective in providing such an outcome as the Australian constitutional monarchy.[9] Despite opinion polls suggesting Australians favoured a republic, a 1999 referendum rejected the model chosen by the convention. Conservatives generally support keeping the current flag (with its British insignia) and are proud of the nation's British heritage.[10]
Further reading
- Hirst, John, "Conservatism," in Graeme Davison et al. eds., The Oxford Companion to Australian History (2nd ed. 2001) pp 148–50
See also
References
- ^ Graeme Davison et al. eds., The Oxford Companion to Australian History (2nd ed. 2001) p 148
- ^ Judith Brett (2003). Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class: From Alfred Deakin to John Howard. Cambridge U.P. p. 1.
- ^ David Mosler; Robert Catley (1998). America and Americans in Australia. p. 83.
- ^ James Jupp (2004). The English in Australia. p. 172.
- ^ Eric Beecher, ed. (2009). The Best Australian Political Writing 2009. Melbourne Univ. Publishing. p. 236.
{{cite book}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ Louise Chappell (2003). Gendering Government: Feminist Engagement With the State in Australia and Canada. UBC Press. p. 54.
- ^ Gail Reekie (1998). Measuring Immorality: Social Inquiry and the Problem of Illegitimacy. Cambridge U.P. p. 63.
- ^ Paul Kelly, The end of certainty: The story of the 1980s (1992) p 660
- ^ "Pandora Archive". Pandora.nla.gov.au. 23 August 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ^ D Dutton (2002). One of Us? A Century of Australian Citizenship. UNSW Press. p. 83.