The Opportunist: John Howard and the Triumph of Reaction: Quarterly Essay 3

Dive into the compelling analysis of John Howard's political strategies with 'The Opportunist: John Howard and the Triumph of Reaction,' the third installment in the Quarterly Essay series. Authored by Guy Rundle, this incisive essay dissects the former Prime Minister's rise amidst a climate of fear and reaction, particularly surrounding Australia's refugee policies and the alignment with America's War on Terror. With 112 pages of expertly crafted insights, Rundle unveils Howard's complex interplay of economic liberalism and conservative social ideology, painting a portrait of a leader who often prioritized political survival over principled governance.

This edition, in a trade paperback format published by Black Inc in 2001, is a must-read for those interested in Australian political history, public policy, and the dynamics of national identity. As Howard exploited the moment to bolster his political capital, this essay also serves as a crucial reminder of the impacts of divisive politics on society.

Readers will appreciate Rundle's calls for critical thought and resistance against prejudice and reactionary politics, making this essay relevant not only in the context of Howard's era but also in today’s political climate. With a brand new condition and free shipping available, this product is an ideal addition for scholars and casual readers alike to understand the nuances of leadership and ideology in modern governance. Order 'The Opportunist' today and explore the intricate layers of Australian political reactionism.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781863953948
Format: Trade paperback (UK)
Year: 2001
Publisher: Black Inc
Pages: 112


Description:
In the thirdQuarterly Essay, Guy Rundle comes to grips with John Howard, the prime minister who, on the eve of an election, seems to have turned round his political fortunes by spurning refugees and writing blank cheques for America's War on Terror.
This is a brilliant account of John Howard's dominant ideas, his concerted 'dreaming' with its emphasis on unity and national identity that reveals him to be the most reactionary PM we have ever had, the only political leader who would allow ideas like those of One Nation to dominate the mainstream of Australian politics in order to improve his political chances. Rundle puts Howard in the context of the economic liberalism he shares with his colleagues and opponents and the conservative social ideology that sets him apart. It is a complex portrait in a radical mirror which relates John Howard to everything from Menzies's 'forgotten people' to the inadvertent glamour of the government's antidrug advertising. It is also a plea for right-thinking people of every political persuasion to resist the call to prejudice and reaction.
'A portrait of a political opportunist who is also ... a sincere reactionary- putting back the clock because he believes in it, but also fanning the whirlwind of unreason in order to save his political skin.' -Peter Craven, Introduction
'The coincident occurrence of the asylum seeker confrontation and the attack on the U.S. has made visible the most dangerous and damaging thing he has done to the Australian polity...and that is to deepen contempt for such protection as we did have from unbridled executive power, mass hysteria, the rush to surrender our freedoms and offer them up on the alter of crisis.' -Guy Rundle,The Opportunist


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