A Free Country
A Free Country
In the second book in his landmark five-volume Australian Liberalism series, David Kemp tells how Australians, inspired by their new democracy, attempted to use their freedom to build a society without social and economic conflict. Hardback.
A Free Country describes 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 the most democratic constitution in the world.
Price: $64.95