Gnads wrote on Nov 1
st, 2014 at 6:56am:
Show me one that works any better than the process we have here.
This really is the question, but I am not convinced Republicans care so much about process as the do about wobble-boards.
As the preliminary essay outlines, the call for an Australian republic is fraught with difficulty. Revolution can clear obstacles in a summary fashion, but the danger is one of throwing the baby out with the bath water.
A big problem for Republicanism is lack of perceived injustice. Like them or not, when the French, Russians, and Chinese had their revolutions they had something to complain about. For Australians to create a new constitution and system of government they will require impetuous. So far Republican’s have only offered an appeal to a sense of identity.
Trouble is Australians are not exactly known for their great taste. This is the country where worn out tires cut like swans are used mark the driveway entrance.
I don’t want anything in the way of a Republican Manifesto that smacks of John Williamson’s Aussie-ism for Aussie sake. It is going to have to be far more philosophical for me to take an interest. I do believe we need a national dialogue on what is meant by civilisation, but that means being frank, thick skinned, and politically incorrect. Otherwise our new constitution will be shrouded in euphemisms. Cranky Aboriginals will not accept calling it Australia any more than they do Ayer’s Rock. So we are likely to end up with a country name sounding like a central African state with a flag like a petrol station logo; worse still, a yellow and green football club emblem.