Publisher's Synopsis
An Immigrant Nation Seeks Cohesion presents Australian traditions, myths and legends in an understanding but often critical light in the belief that such devices have often been used by interested parties and even governments to maintain social solidarity and to mould a very complex people into a coherent and obedient whole.
Australia is not and never has been an equal society. It has not always been a peaceful and tolerant society but it is more so than most other states and especially many of those sending immigrants. It is not a perfect democracy. Many have been mistreated and even persecuted but that most of those suffering at present are either indigenous or refugees should not be a cause of indifference. Australians may be suspicious of foreigners and social and political deviants. But they have passed a whole series of reforming laws since the Federation in 1901, not all of which have been as racist as the White Australia policy. An Immigrant Nation Seeks Cohesion attempts to get a little bit closer to the truth of two hundred years of creating a liveable society in what was a remote and unknown part of the world.
