Beyond Tradition

Abstract

Liberal multiculturalism as practised in Australia makes demands upon Indigenous minorities to demonstrate their traditionality. Taking examples from recent Australian land and native title claims, the paper illustrates notions of ‘tradition’ generated and applied in these processes. It explores the demand for tradition as an aspect of a liberal economy of values, showing that limitations of liberal perspectives in regard to the recognition of indigenous entitlement are inherent to its economistic framework. It suggests kinds of issues that need to be addressed in the envisioning of a post-liberal approach.