Australians – the ‘aristocrats’ of Asia? The Lucky Country 60 years on episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 20, 2025 · 55 MIN

Australians – the ‘aristocrats’ of Asia? The Lucky Country 60 years on

from Big Ideas · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

In his influential 1964 book The Lucky Country, Donald Horne wrote that Australians played an aristocratic role in Asia: "rich, self-centred, frivolous, blind". A lot has changed in 60 years, but does Australia still think it's better than its neighbours?Recorded at the Australian Academy of the Humanities annual symposium, The Ideas and Ideals of Australia — The Lucky Country turns 60, on 13 — 15 November 2024 at the Australian National University.SpeakersLouise EdwardsEmeritus Scientia Professor of Chinese History, University of New South WalesNick HorneEditor, Donald Horne: Selected Writings (2017)

In his influential 1964 book The Lucky Country, Donald Horne wrote that Australians played an aristocratic role in Asia: "rich, self-centred, frivolous, blind". A lot has changed in 60 years, but does Australia still think it's better than its neighbours? Recorded at the Australian Academy of the Humanities annual symposium, The Ideas and Ideals of Australia — The Lucky Country turns 60, on 13 — 15 November 2024 at the Australian National University. Speakers Louise Edwards Emeritus Scientia Professor of Chinese History, University of New South Wales Nick Horne Editor, Donald Horne: Selected Writings (2017)

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Australians – the ‘aristocrats’ of Asia? The Lucky Country 60 years on

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In his influential 1964 book The Lucky Country, Donald Horne wrote that Australians played an aristocratic role in Asia: "rich, self-centred, frivolous, blind". A lot has changed in 60 years, but does Australia still think it's better than its...

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