Only in Australia

The History, Politics, and Economics of Australian Exceptionalism

Edited by William Coleman

Explains Australian Exceptionalism and the idea that there really is a distinctive Australian Way
Topical and historical
Multi-disciplinary and wide-ranging

Only in Australia

The History, Politics, and Economics of Australian Exceptionalism

Edited by William Coleman

Description

This edited volume is about the Australian difference and how Australia's economic and social policy has diverged from the approach of other countries. Australia seems to be following a 'special path' of its own that it laid down more than a century ago. Australia's distinctive bent is manifested in a tightly regulated labour market; a heavy reliance on means testing and income taxation; a geographical centralization of political power combined with its dispersal amongst autonomous authorities, and electoral singularities such as compulsory and preferential voting.

In seeking to explain this Australian Exceptionalism, the book covers a diverse range of issues: the strength and weakness of religion, democratic and undemocratic tendencies, the poverty of public debate, the role of elites, the exploitation of Australian sports stars, the politics of railways, the backwardness of agriculture, deviation from the Westminster system, the original encounter between European and Aboriginal cultures, and the heavy taxation of tobacco.

Bringing together contributions from economists, economic historians, and political scientists, the volume seeks to understand why Australia is different. It offers a range of explanations from the 'historical legacy', to material factors, historical chance, and personalities.

Only in Australia

The History, Politics, and Economics of Australian Exceptionalism

Edited by William Coleman

1. The Australian Exception, William O. Coleman
2. Australian Exceptionalism: A Personal View, Geoffrey Blainey
3. Theories of Australian Exceptionalism, William O. Coleman
4. Utilitarianism contra Sectarianism: The Official and the Unauthorised Civic Religion of Australia, Greg Melleuish and Stephen A. Chavura
5. Tocqueville, Hancock, and the Sense of History, Henry Ergas
6. Australia's 'Talent for Bureaucracy' and the Atrophy of Federalism, J.R. Nethercote
7. Australia's Industrial Relations Singularity, Phil Lewis
8. Australia's Electoral Idiosyncrasies, William O. Coleman
9. Socialism in Six Colonies: The Aftermath, Jonthan Pincus
10. We must all be capitalists now: The Strange Story of Compulsory Superannnuation in Australia, Adam Creighton
11. Australia's Economic Mores through the Lens of the Professional Sports Industry: Individual Rights or State Paternalism?, Richard Pomfret
12. The Industrialist, the Solicitor, and Mr Justice Higgins: Some Biographical Insights into the Harvester Case of 1907, Peter Yule
13. Barons versus Bureaucrats: the History of the Grain Trade in North America and Australia, Nick Cater
14. Australia's Distinctive Governance: Westminster, Ottawa, and Canberra Differentiated, J.R. Nethercote
15. Australia and New Zealand: Parallel and Divergent Paths, Keith Rankin

Only in Australia

The History, Politics, and Economics of Australian Exceptionalism

Edited by William Coleman

Author Information

William Coleman, Reader in Economics, Australian National University

William O. Coleman is a Reader in the School of Economics at The Australian National University. He has written extensively on monetary policy, political economy, and the contested position of economics in society.

Contributors:

Geoffrey Blainey, Ian Potter Foundation
Nick Cater, The Australian
Stephen A. Chavura, Lachlan Macquarie Insititute
William O. Coleman, Australian National University
Adam Creighton, The Australian
Henry Ergas, University of Wollongong
Greg Melleuish, The University of Wollongong
J.R. Nethercote, Australian Catholic University
Phil Lewis, University of Canberra
Jonthan Pincus, The University of Adelaide
Richard Pomfret, The University of Adelaide
Keith Rankin, Unitec, Auckland
Peter Yule, The University of Melbourne

Only in Australia

The History, Politics, and Economics of Australian Exceptionalism

Edited by William Coleman

Reviews and Awards

"This edited collection of papers by prominent, mostly conservative writers provides a lot of thought-provoking analysis of Australian exceptionalism and whether it was of its time in the past or is continuing." -- Economic Record

Only in Australia

The History, Politics, and Economics of Australian Exceptionalism

Edited by William Coleman

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