Issue 19 - National Identity and Community Connection (May 2004)

Issue 19 Index

It's Time™ is the online e-magazine of the Whitlam Institute.

The politics of race

Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research, UK, Nick Pearce examines interpersonal trust in multicultural societies and fears of ethnic difference. We need leaders with political guts, he says.


Holding the nation together

At the launch of his first book, The Power of Speech, James Curran takes stock of 30 years of speechwriting, rhetoric and political culture.


Prime Ministerial rhetoric from Whitlam to Howard

Chapter Two of James Curran's new book on political leadership and national identity examines Gough's tension between his need to galvanise national unity and recognition that nationalism is associated with malevolent forces in human affairs. The unifying theme in Curran's investigation is the issue that each leader tried to answer: what is it that binds Australians together?


Paradoxes of public connection

What should politics be about and why do we feel like we can't change the world anymore? Nick Couldry from the London School of Economics delivers a progress report on his Public Connection Project which explores the fading of people's political participation.


February 1974 Prime Ministerial documents available online

In February 1974 Prime Minister Whitlam continues reaffirming friendships and regional development during his visit to South East Asia and also welcomes HRH Queen Elizabeth II on her return visit to Australia.


March 1974 Prime Ministerial documents available online

This month local government receives attention as the spot light shifts to electoral reform and an upcoming referendum.