John Marsden The Tomorrow Series

[Rhoda Siket]

Knowingmore about historical events helps up make a better tomorrow, but lots of forces in our society seem determined to bury, malign, or misrepresent the past. Establishing the correct perspective from history and from values is essential to understanding and addressing very current issues such as inflation, social cohesion, democratic dysfunction, and the rising levels of anxiety and depression among young people.

The Ancient Greeks had slaves, did not give votes to women, and considered all other nations barbarians (βάρβαροι), but the same or worse could be said of every other society of the age (and many of our own), and in a remarkable exception they invented the idea of democracy. If we want to make the best of that precious institution in modern Australia we need to understand and celebrate that achievement, as Dr Paul Monk does on page 58.

Adrian Nguyen on page 68 reviews a book which shows how conservatism in the USA has changed in recent years in response to changing social challenges, while maintaining essential continuities. He draws lessons for Australian conservatives.

On page 48 Nigel Greenwood marks the passing of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, not only by noting her personal virtues and contributions to the governance of the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Commonwealth as a whole, but also the perennial qualities of the constitutional monarchy that has served Australia so well.

The illustration (above) for the article was specially commissioned from legendary illustrator, artist, and cartoonist, John Spooner. He depicts in general terms what a memorial in Australia to the Victims of Communism might look like. Such a memorial would give an opportunity to those who escaped communist repression, and to their descendants, to honour all those who were not so fortunate. Other countries have managed to erect similar memorials: it is time Australia did the same, and there are sites in Canberra where it could be done.

Dr Sherry Sufi on page 40 continues his series of thoughtful articles on the challenges we have in the West of ensuring our culture still supports the liberal democratic framework of our constitution. He rejects the notion that it is racist to encourage nationalism, and sees a shared belief in the value of our nation-state as an essential element in maintaining and building social cohesion.

To take up their responsibilities as citizens, young Australians need to overcome the crisis of meaning that has overwhelmed our society and which has led to unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression. It is somewhat ironic that it takes a practising psychiatrist, Dr Tanveer Ahmed, to point out the limits to the pharmacological approach to supporting mental health among young people. Ultimately they must be enabled to build the virtues, character, and self-reliance necessary to take on the responsibilities of adult life, and as part of an IPA research project he illustrates on page 26 how this can be done.

Similarly, IPA Adjunct Fellow, Cian Hussey, in a review on page 64 of a book by John Marsden, reflects on the importance of encouraging adolescents to take on risks and challenges, in order to build confidence and character (as should adults!).

This is the editorial from the Spring 2022 edition of the IPA Review by Editor of the IPA Review, Scott Hargreaves. Articles once loaded online are listed here. IPA Members receive a print edition and online versions of articles are progressively released in the months following publication. To join/subscribe see here.

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