Commonality and Difference

Australia and the US are similar in many ways, yet they diverge dramatically in many others. This inaugural volume in the Australian Fulbright series brings together a group of both Australian and American scholars to review key aspects of this commonality and difference. The focus is on how both countries have handled two of the big trade-offs in national policy: pluralism versus unity, and economic growth versus equity. As befits a project under Fulbright auspices, attention is also given to the creation and sharing of knowledge. Both Australia and the US are advanced industrial and federal democracies, drawing on a common fund of culture and knowledge and embracing equally large land areas peopled by immigrants. But Australia's population is much smaller, its world role is minor, it has a strong labour movement and it is located on the periphery of Asia. "Commononality and Difference" examines the way these and other characteristics are dealt with in migrant policy and ethnic affairs, in economic reform and welfare policies and in higher educational processes. The eight contributors include historians, social scientists, economists and educationalists from both countries.
This book is aimed at anyone interested in learning more of Australian and American institutions in a comparative perspective, and anyone concerned to understand the deeper underpinnings of the US-Australia relationship. The eight distinguished contributors include leading historians, social scientists, economists and educationalists from both countries. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in learning more of Australian and American institutions in a comparative perspective, and anyone concerned to understand the deeper underpinnings of the United States--Australia relationship.