Australian Identity Values - Literature review Example

AUSTRALIAN IDENTITY VALUES By Student’s Name Code + Name of Course Institution City/State Professor Date Australian Identity Values To better understand the origin of issues pertaining to identity values, a scholar, Crozier (2001) suggests a critical analysis of the political studies. The scholar posits that, the apparent disparities in the study outline for political science reflects on the contradictory views presently being discussed with respect to identity values. Crozier (2001) acknowledges the varied views that have been put forward to denote political science in Australia. Among these views is one that seems to highlight the essence of having an appropriate outline of this discipline. Political science besides focusing on the political aspect of a nation should also highlight the social concepts. Although faced with major disparities, it is apparent that political science being a historical disciplinary holds a vital position to the issue of identity. Taking different cultures as well as nations for example, their history which is majorly taught through political studies enables them to form their identities (Crozier 2001, p.9). Customarily, political science was connoted as political studies. This primary reference incorporated contents from law as well as history. Little was borrowed from the social sciences and this seemingly created confusion as to whether political science is humanity or a science. This contradiction seems to have generated a lot of debates, a situation which appears to be drawing lots of attention from the Australian authorities (Crozier 2001, p.22). Several comparisons have been made to this effect with the American political sciences to try and establish the identity of the Australian political science. Crozier outwardly suggests that this seeming comparison between the two nations helps to give a favorable elucidation which can be used to offer a better distinction of political science from other disciplines. Even though the discipline presently poses identity confusion, this scholar posits that this can probably be something good. He bases his perception on the considerable focus that will be put in the critical assessment as well as evaluation of ancient practices in political science (Crozier, 2001, p23). Traditionally, Australia was perceived to be an overly white populated region. This has however changed over the years subsequent to the Second World War. In addition to the white populace, Australia has seen the settlement of Asians as well the colored populace. Thus, at present, Australia is perceived to be a multicultural nation. Although multiculturalism can be considered to be a positive aspect, it is also considered to bring concerns about identity values. In the midst of mixed cultures, a people are bound to forget their individual cultural identity. This is mainly evident in regions where cultures have ostensibly intermarried and exchanged their values so as to be able to function well together. As seen in the case of Australia, the multicultural nature of this nation appears to be raising concerns for the identity values of the Austrians. Since ancient times until recently, debates have been and are still being held with regard to the impact that identity values have on the prospect of the Australian community (Ahlawat 2012, p.2). While some scholars posit for multiculturalism, the Australians are advocating for their officials to pose a regulation that would require immigrants to Australia to embrace the Australian culture as it is. This policy if implemented might be effective in conserving the Australian cultural values but might also bring a division between the different cultures settled in the region. According to Ahlawat (2012, p.8), the most effective way of enhancing identity values for the Australian populace could be to identify appropriate ways of dealing with the rising variations brought about by multiculturalism instead of seeking to impose the Australian cultural values on other settlers. Dealing with the issues of multiculturalism will enable the residents to be more aware of the challenges of having mixed cultures and hence enable them to identify ways of dealing with the same. On the other hand, imposing identity values on the people might be taken a s a way of the Australian authorities trying to block out the contribution of other cultures, an aspect that might cause conflicts between the populace (Ahlawat 2012, p.9). Moran (2011) identifies the recent controversies surrounding the issues of identity as originating from the fiery reports on the media. The scholar acknowledges that, the media reports about the failure of state officials to incorporate recent African immigrants as well as part of the Islam community identities in the Australian national identity is a political move to run down multiculturalism. These reports concur with the assertions brought forward by Ahlawat (2012, p.9) where he asserted that, by sidelining other cultural identities from the overall national identity, conflicts are bound to arise. This is evident of the recent occurrences as the nation witnessed through riots among the people. Attacks on the Islam as well as other cultures that are originally not from Australia seem to be on the rise not only from the leaders but also from other cultures. This situation as well as controversy if left unsolved can lead to a major divergence between the populace (Moran 2011). Wheeler et al. (2011) posit that, branding a region plays a vital role in enhancing its identity values. According to these scholars, branding a region helps in improving its value as well as populace experiences in that region. Multiculturalism can thus be considered to be a vital aspect of branding. This is because, as posited by Wheeler et al. (2011, p.23) in their research findings, effective branding of a region is enhanced by the multiplicity of local value, cultures as well as identities. This assertion mainly concurs with the view of Ahlawat (2012). Ahlawat (2012) advocates for the identification of as well as establishment of ways of dealing with challenges brought about by multiculturalism instead of imposing identity values on people as proposed by a few officials. Wheeler et al. view identity values as constituting the overall attributes of a community. Whereas various cultures embrace varied beliefs as well as values, it is the diversity of these aspects that contribute to the general identity values of a nation. With respect to the Australian case, it is thus evident that the multicultural characteristic of the state should be perceived as a factor enhancing its identity values and not as a problem. The state officials and government thus play a key role in determining the identity value of a region. As argued by Wheeler et al. (2011, p.24), there are a number of stakeholders who play varied roles as far as value branding goes. Among these essential stakeholders are the state officials as well as the residents. In as much as the different stakeholders are considered to have varied expectations, for a region to ensure it has well formed identity values, all the stakeholders expectations have to be accomplished. Seeing that multiculturalism offers a more favorable way of achieving a value based identity considering its diversification in attributes, it is essential for the Australian residents as well as the state officials to formulate strategies of dealing with the complications brought by the same (Rossiter 2007). Moran (2010) supports the aspect of multiculturalism. He argues that, in incorporating other cultural identities, Australia stands to enhance its identity value while at the same time improving national cohesion. As asserted by Wheeler et al. (2011), identity values are better denoted by the diversities of culture in a region. This is because; multiculturalism helps to boost the overall identity of the region. Whereas most political officials advocate for a common identity that will sweep across the nation, sociologists give a contradictory claim. They acknowledge that issues regarding national identity cannot be imposed on the people but have to originate from their historical background. Seeing that the majority of the populaces in Australia are immigrants and that from ancient times, the nation was majorly made up of settlers from Europe as well as the British; it is difficult to impose one identity on everyone. The diversified populaces in the region hold varied myths as well as beliefs that enable them to formulate their respective identities. This essentially helps in the construction of the general Australian identity (Moran 2011, p.2155). In spite of the few officials with controversial views about multiculturalism in Australia, there are some state officials who perceive multiculturalism as a vital aspect of national identity. The aspect of having a diversified nation with respect to religion in addition to race seems to be essential as evidenced during the Gillard government in 2011. In this era, the state officials applauded the milestones that the nation had achieved through its multicultural identity. It is apparent that this concept of multiculturalism is ever changing; thus, there is need to strategize on how to handle the varied issues arising from it to limit contradictions. With the characteristic multicultural nature of Australia, it is essential to construct an all inclusive national identity. This will further enhance the national cohesion. Along with this, the advocacy for an all inclusive national identity will help in branding the nation as a whole and hence, strengthen the global perception of Australia. Annotated Bibliography “Ahlawat, D 2012, ‘Reinventing Australian Identity’, International. Journal of Business and Social Science, vol. 3, no. 11, pp. 59-67” This article provides an important platform which offers a continuous understanding of the involvement of major players within the Australian society which are based on unbroken negotiations which are exemplarily defined to ensure that both the internationally accepted code and the assimilation levels within individual ethnic groups have been achieved. The social factors that are mainstreamed through proper transformational context is envisaged in a more prevalent growth spectra and this transformation amounts to several major constructs that Australia has undergone in the last few decades. This article provides as well the hypothetical model that has socially been accounted for in a more distinct process and this has provided total research value for projected surveys. The article aims at revealing specific distributive mechanisms and areas within which both the research components, aggregated information and well documented information remains the modal factor in statistical development in Australia. Ahlawat, (2012) explained that specific conclusions could be derived theoretically in view of differentiated societal perceptions in Australia. This hence explains a typical composition of concurrently appearing relationships between the people and the state, which is individually formed as newly, established study process and a wide network of this article reflects on the major reinventions of the Australian Identity. “Wheeler, F, Frost, W & Weiler, B 2011, ‘Destination Brand Identity, Values, and Community: A Case Study from Rural Victoria’, Australia’ Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 13-26” Brand identity is symbolically discussed in the article. Essential zing identity can also be fully crafted in order to improve the relationship between various community values, economic and political developments. Further analysis include, the relationship developed between various educations systems and have also explained the implicit or explicit identities, which are critical and hugely essential. The exclusiveness of the individual identities (both religiously and socially) have explained that in view of the changing levels of managing the trends that complexly feature at individual levels are fully compliant with the core societal and nationalistic mergers. As such, the article argues that beneficial issues in this context are measured accordingly in view of implications created within a developed identity model. In the development of educational compositions, Wheeler et al explains the impacts that are created from a social cohesion and this has been aided in a nutshell by effects created by the brand identity itself. The compositions are particularly useful in ensuring that all metrics have been decomposed and alienated to give the system a newly developed platform. In view, the developed factors, ensuring that key constants have been developed, Wheeler illustrated that a renewed political system could be captured by considering the levels that are consistent with a more cohesive levels. “Crozier, M 2001, ‘A problematic discipline and the identity of Australian political studies’, Australian Journal of Political Science, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 7-26”. The author presents Australian field through the Second World War era, he argues that Australia's political scene and identity was forged from the disputes that arose among world war two political science undergraduates attracted to the field in the 1950s. He further shows the counter arguments to his claims by notable Australian political scientists who see fundamental weaknesses in his argument. Crozier expounds the important values, which are recreated within the Australian political environment, and the identities fully reflect the disciplines, which are recreated through better political instincts. “Moran, A 2011, ‘Multicultural nation building in Australia as inclusive national identity and embrace of diversity’, Ethnic and Racial Studies, vol. 34, no. 12, pp. 2153-2172”. With Australia’s diverse cultures and societies, the author in this journal presents a discussion based on the existing relationship between the aspect of multiculturalism and nation identity, with focus and context on Australia. He further makes the argument that a national policy of inclusiveness will accommodate and strengthen the countries multiculturalism, while also serving as a vital cohesion source for the members of the societies. This will enhance the cultural and ethnical unity, which will encourage society diversification. He however shows how combative policies of national identity approach will somewhat pose a threat to the nation's multi cultural values. Nevertheless he urges the support to the issue of multiculturalism in form of continued debates that will engage Australians in issues such as national identity rather than ignoring the issue of national identity. “Rossiter, J 2007, ‘Identifying and measuring Australian values’, Australasian Marketing Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 7-13”. In this journal, the author criticizes Australia's values component policy that has been proposed as a test for Australian citizenship, he further compares values based on Rokeach's findings with Australian School values inexistence. From this he establishes "Real Aussie" value sets and how they are viewed and represented in Australian normative beliefs regarding citizen behavior. He further makes the argument that free speech restrictions would be unconstitutional if prospective citizenship requirements included value endorsements; he makes his final argument by stating that Australia’s ideal values can only be achieved through voluntary socialization. Furthermore this article is also argues that the characteristic development that is entered in between core mainstream Australian qualities which could be either imaginary or real is achieved by enacting the specific emphasis on national features. Though the identity reflects people’s nationality, the significant amount of cultural traditions have been emptied through a non standard identity procedures; which would be implausible less a critical perspective is well defined. Reference List Ahlawat, D 2012, ‘Reinventing Australian Identity’, International Journal of Business and Social Science, vol. 3, no. 11, pp. 59-67 Crozier, M 2001, ‘A problematic discipline and the identity of Australian political studies’, Australian Journal of Political Science, vol. 36, no.1, pp. 7-26. Moran, A 2011, ‘Multicultural nation building in Australia as inclusive national identity and embrace of diversity, Ethnic and Racial Studies, vol. 34, no. 12, pp. 2153-2172. Rossiter, J 2007, ‘Identifying and measuring Australian values’, Australasian Marketing Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 7-13. Wheeler, F, Frost, W & Weiler, B 2011, ‘Destination Brand Identity, Values, and Community. A Case Study from Rural Victoria’, Australia’ Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, vol.28, no. 1, pp. 13-26. Read More