Sheltered Land Book

Through most of its history, Australia's main ambition has been the creation of a 'no risk' society, built up behind walls of protection. This book is a history of Australia's quest for protection, focusing on strategic, defence, economic and social policy. It is a history of the 'Australian sickness' - a tendency to avoid risk and responsibility and to rely on an outside protector or on government. This has not served Australia well. British then American protection has in fact been debilitating for Australia, and has eroded its independence. Reliance on tariffs has not stopped its industrial decline and falling prosperity. Attempts to create a welfare state have failed to eliminate either poverty or inequalities. The quest for protection has proved not just fruitless but counterproductive, leading to a loss of national self-confidence which compounds the country's problems and increases its vulnerability. This book traces the roots of these problems back to their beginnings in colonial Australia. It concentrates on the last 25 years, when the system of all-round protection began to crumble. As Australia considers its national identity and future in the world, it will need to reassess its protectionist past. Xavier Pons argues that political and technical reforms are not enough to carry Australia into the global economy of the 21st century. What is required is a complete cultural shift. Australia must develop a bolder, more self-confident view of its own identity, to rise to the challenge of the future.