Civic, national and denizen identity in Australia

Abstract

Macro-social identities reflect the strength of social attachments (strong vs weak) and the objects-referents of such attachments (society vs nation). Three types of macro-social identities-civic, (ethno-) national and denizen-are distinguished and operationalised in Australia using national survey data (1995 ISSP). The largest proportion (38 per cent) of Australians embrace civic identity, an identity type most widespread among 'baby boomers', the tertiary educated and secular. Those who embrace the national identity form a sizeable minority (30 per cent), and are predominantly older, less educated and religious. Denizen identity characterises a small minority (6 per cent) of Australians who feel weakly attached to the country. The key issues dividing the adherents to civic and national identities are immigration and its socioeconomic consequences. Ethno-nationalists embrace neo-conservative rather than extremist attitudes, although their numbers may be declining in the wake of generational replacement, the education revolution and progressive secularisation.