Why are Australian Intellectuals and academics so hostile to contemporary Australian life? Why do they so often hold disparaging views of their fellow Australians? This was not always the case. In the nineteenth century Australians of an intellectual disposition sought to work with their fellow Australians to build a better and freer country. But from the end of the nineteenth century, beginning with the Bulletin an intellectual culture emerged which was adversarial in nature and increasingly hostile to the aspirations of ordinary Australians. This culture of intellectuals became embedded in...

'Liberalism and Conservatism' are little explored as expressions of political philosophy in Australia. This timely collection sheds light on some of the key expressions of Australian liberalism and conservatism. David Kemp examines the relationship between liberal and conservative political thinking and the growth of government in Australia. Zac Gorman looks at the key role George Reid played in the 1906 anti-socialist campaign. Paul Brown considers the role which liberalism played in forming the ideas of former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. Wayne Errington considers conservative...