In a five-volume magnum opus David Kemp has argued that the philosophy of liberalism – in a unique Australian manifestation was the most significant philosophy and set of principles determining Australia’s post-settlement history, politics and culture. That is a claim worth interrogating and setting against counter-claims for other philosophies or principles. In the event that the claim is true, what is now the future (if any) for Australian liberalism.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• David Kemp: The Land of Dreams 1788-1860 (Miegunyah Press, 2018) ISBN 9780522873337
• David Kemp: A Free Country 1861-1901 (Miegunyah Press,2019) ISBN 9780522873498
• David Kemp: A Democratic Nation 1901-1925 (Miegunyah Press,2019) ISBN 9780522873474
• David Kemp: A Liberal State 1926-1966 (Miegunyah Press, 20210 ISBN 9780522873450
• David Kemp: Consent of the People 1966-2022 (Miegunyah Press,2022) ISBN 9780522872651

COURSE OUTLINE

• What is the strength of the claim that the philosophy of liberalism, in its Australian vernacular was the most important set of ideas, principles and philosophies producing “modern Australia”?
• Is there any better claim for any alternative philosophy or set of principles?

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Know how do philosophical principles or ideals shape the real world – did any one set uniquely shape post-settlement Australia.
2. Explore if principles really matter or is nation-building just a matter of pragmatic policies enacted from time to time in response to changing circumstances.