Australia: Monarchy, Nature and Beyond

J Fitzmaurice

Description

Using human nature, the laws of nature, our animal instincts and the invisible world of conventions and evolution to explain 'why' the Australian system works so well. We discuss reserve rights, head of state, the republican movement, the dismissal, appointing judges, appointing our governor general, the need for an independent speaker and appointing one, our party system - can it survive - and much more.This book questions ideological thinking and presents an intellectual challenge to the reader. If you want to know why Australians are who they are, and believe you can make the world a better place, then this book is for you.

Sujets

• Sociologie, société et politique

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Date de parution: 31 mars 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528969123
• Langue: English

Extrait

Australia: Monarchy, Nature and Beyond
J Fitzmaurice
Austin Macauley Publishers
2020-03-31
Australia: Monarchy, Nature and Beyond About the Author Copyright Information © Introduction Our Monarchy System Understanding How and Why Our Monarchy System Works The Credentials of the Monarchy The Mystique of Our System-Ownership Reserve Rights – Empowering the People A Brief History Conventions – The People’s Emotional Capital Evolution Change but Not as We Know It Head of State Who Should Be Our Governor-General? Importing a Monarch for Australia Succession Paul Keating Guilty by Association Hereditary Conditioning Politicians Religion An Abstract Ideology Comment and Summary Appointing Our Governor-General An Independent Speaker for Parliament Suggestion Appointing Judges The Dismissal The Party System Is the Party Over? Final Summary and Comment
About the Author
J Fitzmaurice was born and bred in Sydney, NSW, is 70 years young, happily married and living on a hobby farm managing sheep. After leaving school, he obtained a trade certificate in electronics and worked in this field for a number of years.
Shortly after getting married, he and his wife moved to rural NSW to grow fine wool merino sheep.
He has always had a passion for politics and physics and has tried to combine these two interests in this book. He respects and supports the current political system and the constitution but believes positive change is necessary and possible. Like most people, he is striving to improve the human condition for future generations. He hopes this can be done by fine tuning our political structure and explaining the virtues of our current system.
Copyright Information ©
J Fitzmaurice (2020)
The right of J Fitzmaurice to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
Austin Macauley is committed to publishing works of quality and integrity. In that spirit, we are proud to offer this book to our readers; however, the story, the experiences, and the words are the author’s alone.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781528937481 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781528969123 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2020)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
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Introduction
Why have Australians been able to enjoy such a long period of political stability and a high quality of life when so many countries cannot? The British Monarchy is one of the most unique institutions on the planet, even amongst other monarchies. There is a worldwide fascination with the British Monarchy, yet it is largely misunderstood by both its supporters and its critics. In Australia, we owe so much to our Monarchy system, much more than a passing fascination.
The power of evolution and the force of nature has delivered a unique institution that supports one of the best political systems on the planet. No amount of money, laws, publicity and rhetoric can achieve what this unwritten equation has achieved. Accidentally, we have a winning formula that benefits humanity; plus, we have the tools and the culture to maintain it.
Governments come and go, mining booms come and go, recessions come and go, various ethnic groups come and assimilate, various ideologies come and go, left and right-wing bias fluctuates. Change is a fact of life, and Australia is constantly changing but through all this change, Australia retains its stability and character – there is a theme that seems to survive. We cannot claim to be a unique species; so perhaps, our system of government and circumstances has something to do with it. This book is about understanding and educating people about our system of government – how it works; but more importantly, why it works. I’m endeavouring to find our soul. What makes Australia tick? Why do some systems appear to work better than others? Why are we the lucky country?
In order to do this, I need to scratch the surface and examine human nature, laws of nature, evolution, culture, conventions, the human spirit, our animal instincts and especially, the role of our Monarchy. We also need to look at empowerment, freedom and ownership and, of course, change. I want to demonstrate that there is a reality and strength to our political system that goes beyond faith, ideology, a legal framework, words on paper and individual definitions of patriotism. We’ll discover that we don’t need a new system. Political change should be about managing evolution rather than chasing a particular label where the perception will never be realised. I’m sure, as you read on, you’ll appreciate the explanations as the book exposes the theme associated with our system, the nuances of our constitution and the intrinsic value of our system.
Quite unintentionally, this book has delivered an insight into what it means to be an Australian and a snapshot of the Australian character, which is often difficult to define. Jokingly, we used to describe Australia as a country based on football, meat pies and Holden cars, yet, we all know there is something more innate and complex about the Australian way of life than that. To my surprise, I think, this book has explained what that is, despite all the variables.
Some claim we are losing our identity. That our cities are becoming ethnic conclaves that aren’t assimilating. If this is true, at least we’ll know what we’re losing. On a positive note, as is sometimes said, “Everything must change so that everything can stay the same.” The final interpretation will be yours to make.
As good as our system is, like every system, it needs to be updated and fine-tuned. Which is why flexible political systems are so important. The 2010 election challenged our democratic process and tested one of the best political systems in the world. We need to look at some of the shortcomings in our system highlighted by that election. Most notable was the way we appointed our governor-general and the configuration of the Speaker of the House and the role of our independents.
If we can analyse why our system works, and the nature of political systems, we might be less inclined to change things too much, have a greater appreciation of what we have and be better prepared for making alterations.
This book should appeal to anyone interested in political structure and political improvement. Australia is one of the few countries that can actually change its constitution; even some so-called democratic countries have trouble doing this. We must ensure we don’t lose this characteristic; it’s essential for future development and our survival.
Governments around the world are on notice. Many have lost the ability to listen and people are hurting. In some cases, a political class has been established which ignores the wishes of the people. Democracy itself is under threat. Flexibility is key to our survival. Democracy is still the best option for the moment, but, in what form, is the question.
You may not agree with everything I say but you will have an understanding that certain conditions must be satisfied before casually changing the system to suit yourself. If nothing else, this book will either challenge the way you think, or reinforce the way you think; either way, no harm is done. I hope you enjoy it. I also hope that Australians will no longer take their good fortune for granted. We’ll concentrate on the following subjects:
Our Monarchy System
Understanding why our Monarchy system works
The credentials of the Monarchy
The mystique of our system-ownership
Reserve Rights
Conventions
Evolution – gravity and the Monarchy
Head of State
Who should be our governor-general?
Importing a monarch for Australia
Succession
Paul Keating – guilty by association
Hereditary conditioning
Politicians
Religion
An abstract ideology
Comments and summary
Appointing a Governor-General
Appointing an Independent Speaker
Appointing Judges
The Dismissal
The Party System
Final Summary and Comment
With these ambitious goals in mind, let us proceed.
Our Monarchy System
I want to start with this subject because, whether we realise it or not, it is the basis for our way of life and it is essential we have a proper understanding and appreciation of what we have.
Let me start by saying the Monarchy, in its present form, is the best friend democracy has. Therefore, it’s the best friend the people have. It isn’t in power, it has no power in its own right; yet, it’s able to give power. Let’s see why that is so and where this unwritten equation takes us.
For historic reasons, our system is referred to as a Monarchy system because we have a monarch as our head of state – more about that subject later. Using the republic debate is an entertaining and informative way of explaining our system and highlighting not just how it works but, more importantly, why it works and the importance that evolution, conventions, psychology and emotions play in political systems. I want Australians to know there is more to the Monarchy than pomp, ceremony, colour, glamour, celebrity personalities and grand estates. The British Monarchy is one of the most recognisable, respected and marketable institutions on the planet. However, support for the Monarchy shouldn’t be a convenient fad. It should be about an understanding of the institution of the Monarchy and the Monarchy system.
I’m often staggered and disappointed at the level of ignorance on this subject by people who should know better and the s