Australia's Evolving Democracy

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In recent times Australia has developed into one of the world's leading liberal democracies. Its governments have delivered continuous economic growth for more than three decades even against the turmoil of a global pandemic. And the country's highly competitive elections and strong political institutions operate within a stable and balanced federal system.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In </span><em style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Australia's Evolving Democracy </em><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>a team of leading academic authors use an audit approach to critically explore national government institutions as well as state- and territory-level politics and to examine how each has contributed to or held back Australian political life as it has changed and diversified. For instance the top two parties' monopoly of governance has only begun to adjust to a modern transition to multi-party politics although balanced voting systems for two-house legislatures have allowed for some adaptation. To date the country has successfully avoided both rancorous populist politics (as in the USA) and serious governance decline (as in the UK).</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Each of the book's 28 chapters tackles one institution or issue outlining recent developments along with an analysis of strengths weaknesses opportunities and threats to fully evaluate the state of Australian democracy in the 21st century. In doing so the authors draw key lessons for other democracies showing in detail how robust major and micro-institutions can guard against democratic 'backsliding' and policy failures.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>This comprehensive audit also highlights scope for potential democratic improvements. Australia continues to confront the challenges of partisan political barriers to addressing climate change and improving the situation of First Nations peoples redressing modern social inequalities and responding to popular mistrust of government and politicians.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>By taking an in-depth nuanced approach to multiple democratic issues across the whole of the country's distinctive political system this book provides analysis that is accessible for students new to Australian politics along with many insights for political scientists studying comparative democratic politics and Australian institutions. </span></p>