Culture and Democracy

Culture and Democracy

The crisis of liberal democracy is now apparent even in mainstream media. Much of the neoliberal orthodoxy of the last 40 years has been dropped, as aggressive state-led mercantilism and powerful oligarchic corporations take its place. On the one hand we see increasing inequality, slow growth, rising costs of living and a widespread sense of a disappearing future. On the other, a rise in anti-democratic politics, mostly on the Right, driven by ‘post-liberalism’, authoritarianism, nativism and chauvinism. If, even two years ago, Australia seemed immune, we know today that it is drifting towards the very same crisis.

Public funding for art and culture has declined significantly, and much of our popular culture given over to corporate monopolies, yet we are in the middle of a full-scale culture war. The far-right across Europe, North and South America and elsewhere do not seek out ‘creative industries’ or ‘economic impact’ but to radically reframe culture as national, ethnic, unitary and anti-modern.

In this seminar we seek to understand how we got to where we are, and what culture has to do with it. Tim Dunlop will be speaking to his new book The Culture Wars, which is an attempt to understand how and why Australian politics has been turned upside down in recent years. Julianne Schultz, developing ideas from her recent The Idea of Australia, and based on many years as a cultural policy practitioner and thinker, will talk about culture’s fundamental importance for democracy. Kirstie Parker will bring her unique perspective as a leader in arts and culture, and as someone who has seen up close the battle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for self-determination. 

The three speakers will discuss how culture is both part of the crisis of democracy and also how it might help lead us out of the current impasse and to re-imagine a democratic Australia. 

Speakers:

Tim Dunlop

Kirstie Parker

Julianne Schultz

Schedule:

Doors open at 5:30pm for a 6pm event start. Q&A finishes at 7.30pm, please stay for a drink and networking. Event ends at 8pm.

Please note that this event will be recorded and livestreamed.