Radical theories of capitalism in Australia: Towards a historiography of the Australian New Left

Abstract

It has recently been remarked that people are increasingly disinterested in the study of Australia. Perhaps, as some authors have argued, this is the result of an internationalisation of Australian society, creating a set of global priorities for modern Australians quite different from those of preceding generations. In a world still reeling from the fallout of a Great Recession, making sense of Australia’s place in the world requires some serious reflection. A rapidly changing global context forces us to question the way Australia has been understood and look towards alternative explanations. I suggest that how we think about Australia, and how we apply this knowledge to our reality has significant implications for political action. It is with this impasse in mind that I turn my theoretical focus to the study of the Australian New Left. As I argue, they offer a radical theoretical approach that forces us to reevaluate our understanding of capitalism in Australia and can beneficially contribute to producing alternatives in a contemporary context.