Does Australia Need a National Identity?

There are many Australians who say that Australia has no national identity and would be racist if it got one. Ironically, such an attitude is a uniquely Australian thing to say.

The Affect of the Environment on the Australian Identity

The ability of almost all Australians to access the landscape has influenced Australian customes, values, environmental policy and most of all, art.

Australian Symbols

The Chinese have their terracotta warriors, and the English have Stonehenge. What do symbols do Australians use to affirm their culture?

Australian Stereotypes

A stereotypical trait of Australians is that they don't like stereotypes. Some of the Australian's aversion to stereotypes comes from the existence of large numbers of egocentric individuals who lack a willingness to conform. For example, if confronted with an international stereotype that Australians say "g'day mate", the individual may respond that he or she is Australian and does not say "g'day."

Cultural Cringe

The term Cultural Cringe was refers to a belief that the local product is inferior to that from abroad. Ironically, perhaps it may also be used as an excuse to ignore warranted criticism and evade scrutiny of performance.

Power and Inequality in Australia

Australia has a political system that gives everyone a vote, a value system that champions egalitarianism, a language which lacks a socio-economic accent, and a list of national icons that include “battlers” and “larrikins”. The situation in 1788 was very different. There was no democractic vote, no doctrine of equality, there were clear differences in accent and no celebration of the battler or larrikins. The change did not occur as a result of top-down goodwill. To the contrary, it came because those who had little power wanted some more.

Language and Identity in Australia

In England, accents vary according to class and region. In America, they vary according to race and region. Unlike America or England, Australia has no variance in accent according to class, race or region. Instead, the accent varies according to ideology or gender. Two Australians can grow up side by side, go to the same schools, do the same job, but end up speaking English using different words, different grammar and with different accents.

Racism as a Function of Egalitarianism

Australians often cut down the pompous or those who consider themselves to be superior. Ironically, perhaps this contributes to the stereotype that Australians are racist.