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The Shrinking Nation

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( 19 ratings, 1 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Shrinking Nation by Graeme Turner delves into the socio-political landscape of Australia, examining the challenges the nation faces as it becomes increasingly introspective. The book explores themes of national identity, governance, and the cultural shifts impacting the country's global stance. It provides an insightful analysis of Australia's evolving role in the world, grounded in contemporary political and cultural debates.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are interested in exploring how media and culture impact national identity and politics in Australia. It delves into themes of cultural decline and identity challenges, offering a critical perspective on the current state of society. It's a thought-provoking read for those fascinated by contemporary issues in politics and cultural studies.

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How Australia became less than it was, and how it can once again be more than it is.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

How Australia became less than it was, and how it can once again be more than it is.

Over the past two decades, Australia has been experiencing a sustained period of accelerated socio-cultural change, accompanied by existential threats from natural disasters and the Covid pandemic, and punctuated by repeated cycles of political upheaval. The divisive and hyper-partisan version of party politics that has accompanied these events has hamstrung the nation's capacity to respond to the challenges of the day - from dealing with climate change, to advancing gender equity, or to renovating the buckling structures of social welfare. At the same time, we have seen the quality of our democracy compromised.

The Shrinking Nation takes the temperature of our collective national wellbeing to determine how and why many Australians are left feeling like the nation has 'shrunk'; that it is now less than it was, and less than it should be. Leading cultural historian Graeme Turner examines a wide range of social and cultural change, including the role played by a media environment swamped by misinformation, the social consequences of neoliberal economic policy, and the divisive legacy of the culture wars, before considering how we might strengthen the bonds of community and belonging that tie our nation together.

This timely, important and provocative book presents an original and compelling assessment of the state of the nation today, while designing a lifeline for the better country that is struggling to emerge.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Shrinking Nation by Graeme Turner is praised for its insightful analysis of how neoliberalism has influenced Australia's cultural, imaginative, and spiritual landscape. The book explores how the nation has diminished in these areas and suggests ways for Australia to regain its vitality.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780702266195

Publisher: University of Queensland Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: University of Queensland Press

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 226.0mm

Weight: 294g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Graeme Turner is Emeritus Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia. He is one of the founding figures of media and cultural studies in Australia, and a leading figure internationally. He has been writing about Australian media, culture and society for many years, with a continuing focus on the idea of the nation. He has published 30 books, including Making it National (1994), Ending the Affair- the decline of Australian television news and current affairs (2005), Re-inventing the Media (2016) and Essays in Media and Cultural Studies- In Transition (2020). His most recent book is John Farnham's Whispering Jack (2022).

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