United States-Australian policy toward China demonstrates an increasing tension over what development and democracy means for people of the South Pacific. There is wide agreement that over the last forty years China has been exemplary for its rate of growth. Until relatively recently, this favourable assessment has been made by linking growth with development and ignoring that the country is ruled by an authoritarian regime. (more…)
Scott MacWilliam
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The Paradox of Modern Liberalism
In the wake of the Federal Budget, we have heard lots about the Liberal Government’s new expansionary approach to public spending. There has also been some writing about a putative return to Menzies-type Liberalism. Treasurer Frydenburg is very encouraging of this. Indeed, perhaps with prime ministerial ambitions in mind, he has increasingly referred to his ideas and the spirit of Menzies himself.