‘Race’/ethnicity: cultural difference

Abstract

This article traces the influences of US example on the politics of ‘race' and ethnicity in post-war Australia as each nation struggled to contain the implications of cultural pluralism within the boundaries of the liberal democratic state. Despite acknowledged influences of developments in the US on Australia, it would be facile to attribute the particular role of the Australian state in managing ‘race' relations and ethnic diversity to imported models. Contests over civil rights remained largely distinct to each nation in the post-war years.