About this episode

The episode explores the contested nature of social cohesion in Australian politics and its implications for trust in government and community.

Why has social cohesion — a concept researchers still can't agree how to measure — become one of the most contested ideas in Australian politics? What separates the multiculturalism built by successive Australian governments from the harder, more exclusive boundaries being drawn by Pauline Hanson and Tony Abbott today? And with the political cost of saying the unsayable at an all-time low, can government and society rebuild trust before the fracture gets worse? Dr Michael Zekulin joins Mark and Marija to unpack why "social cohesion" has become the buzzword of the moment, as Pauline Hanson returns from a UK tour with Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage, and Barnaby Joyce warns against fraying community bonds. The Australian Political Book of the Year Award is  launching a new University Essay Prize! Full details, including eligibility and how to submit, are at available their website: https://auspolbookaward.com.au/uni-prize/ . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Mark Kenny, Marija

Guest: Dr Michael Zekulin

Topics covered

• social cohesion
• Australian politics
• multiculturalism
• trust in government
• community bonds

Keywords

• social cohesion
• Australian politics
• multiculturalism
• Pauline Hanson
• Barnaby Joyce
• community trust
• political discourse

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Australian Political Book of the Year Award, Acast, Tommy Robinson, Nigel Farage

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