Abstract
The philosophy of active citizenship, political participation and civic virtue that has been so influential on Western political thought is known as civic republicanism. The belief that a free state must not be constitutionally subservient to a foreign power can be called separatist republicanism. Civic republicanism has been a powerful ideology throughout Australian history. It is an idea that has shaped this nation and contributed to the development of what are now considered quintessentially Australian characteristics such as egalitarianism, community spirit and meritocracy. Civic republicanism has been embraced by generations of Australians. This chapter will argue that we are already republican in practice and should be in name also. Australian democracy has a republican soul and it is time for us to adopt a Constitution that reflects the spirit of our nation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Project Republic: Plans and Arguments for a New Australia |
| Editors | Benjamin T. Jones, Mark McKenna |
| Place of Publication | Collingwood, Vic. |
| Publisher | Black Inc. |
| Pages | 194-206 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781863956055 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |