Historical Themes in Australian Politics (HIST90032)

These seminars will examine some of the principal features of the Australian political system, their genesis and effects, and the ways that students of Australian political history have engaged with them. The topics include the origins of democracy in Australia, the forms of state activity, the nature and consequences of the federal compact, political parties and political participation, transformative moments in Australian political history and impediments to change, and movements of protest and dissent. The seminars are intended to provide participants with an historical context for research in Australian politics and an understanding of the different schools of interpretation.