Myths and markets: Australian culture and economic doctrine

Aspirationalism: The search for respect in an unequal society

“…6 Despite these contentions over Australia's egalitarian credentials, the fluidity and adaptability of the Australian version of egalitarianism has enabled this sentiment to survive in the face of political change and historical revision. 7 Among the many variants of egalitarianism deployed in Australian public life, the main contenders include: collective egalitarianism, working together for the collective good; antiestablishment, a distrustfulness of those who claim authority; classlessness, the absence of class consciousness; sameness, the common consumption of services and culture; and equal opportunity, access to the same opportunities to participate in public life. Stock phrases such as 'mateship' and 'fair go' are also used to denote a broad church of egalitarianisms, from the equal treatment of all citizens to the capacity to provide fair competition for all.…”