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What's Right?
- The Future of Conservatism in Australia
- Narrated by: Waleed Aly
- Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
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Editor reviews
From the political science journal Australian Quarterly comes this audio essay by Waleed Ay. In it, he examines the need for change within the US and Australian conservative parties. He pulls apart the buzzwords like "Right" and "Left", which have become almost meaningless. Trained as an Australian radio and television personality, Aly proves a talented performer as well as writer. His voice is easy to follow, employing practiced pacing and excellent diction. Aly's charisma makes this political topic enjoyable for all audiences.
Summary
Where did the Right go wrong? With the departure of George W. Bush and John Howard, conservative parties in the US and Australia entered a period of turmoil. Foreign affairs, economics, the environment - all were issues to be avoided. Most profoundly, conservatives no longer seemed to have a compelling vision of the future - and arguably still don't. How did the Right end up in this state? How might conservatism renew itself?
In this illuminating essay, Waleed Aly begins by unravelling the terms ‘Right' and ‘Left,' arguing that these have become meaningless. He contends that conservative parties have backed themselves into a corner by embracing free-market extremism, and that an illiberal social politics - including prescribing who or what is Australian - is not the answer, electorally tempting though it may be.
Aly discusses what a better conservatism might look like. He predicts that the key issues of the day, such as climate change and the financial crisis, mean a reactionary brand of politics is unlikely to work because public opinion is swiftly leaving it behind. He draws on the work of conservative thinkers, past and present, to sketch the kind of conservatism that seems scarce in Australia, but which would be a welcome presence here. This is a supple, clear and original argument for political change.