Dennis Austin – författare

The nation state is now faced with unprecedented pressures. Global shifts (a medley of powerful forces in contemporary political economy, military affairs and international security, technology and communications, cultural changes, ecological challenges and so on) require policy solutions at levels of governance beyond traditional states. At the same time, and in part as a response to these wider forces and the uncertainty they bring in their wake, established national polities are challenged too by the rise of politicized sub-national (ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural) movements. This phenomenon presents a challenge to the extant political systems and the elites who manage their affairs. Moreover, it offers a particular challenge to democratic states. Inasmuch as these polities celebrate the virtues of self-determination and encourage pluralism as a matter of course, flourishing and assertive movements demanding in some degree the re-negotiation of the national bargain, present a serious challenge to the continuity of historic national projects. At the same time, democracy is particularly well equipped, both as a discourse and method of practising politics, for accommodating cultural diversity. This book contains an overview of this challenge to the art of democratic government, and case studies from every region of the world. The contributions are by acknowledged international experts on how democratic states have confronted the task of managing cultural diversity and accommodating perceived differences of identity short of political break-up.

First published in 1975. Legatee of a vast empire, the Commonwealth still carries the imprint of its past, and in doing so it may be said to have a collective identity which, in a very varying degree, each of its members exhibits. This can sustain a collective inquiry into the political history and institutions of countries which were once governed within the British Empire. The present series of books is intended to express that interest and those traditions. They are presented not as a guide to the Commonwealth as a corporate entity, but as studies either in the politics and recent history of its member states or of themes which are of common interest to several of the countries concerned. This volume It examines the attempt to restore, and the failure to maintain, a parliamentary Westminster form of government in Ghana, a study in 'Commonwealth Legacies' which brings together scholars from Ghana, Britain and North America.

First published in 1975. Legatee of a vast empire, the Commonwealth still carries the imprint of its past, and in doing so it may be said to have a collective identity which, in a very varying degree, each of its members exhibits. This can sustain a collective inquiry into the political history and institutions of countries which were once governed within the British Empire. The present series of books is intended to express that interest and those traditions. They are presented not as a guide to the Commonwealth as a corporate entity, but as studies either in the politics and recent history of its member states or of themes which are of common interest to several of the countries concerned. This volume It examines the attempt to restore, and the failure to maintain, a parliamentary Westminster form of government in Ghana, a study in 'Commonwealth Legacies' which brings together scholars from Ghana, Britain and North America.

Malta and the End of Empire (1971) examines the now-forgotten moment in 1956 when the people of Malta, Gozo and Comino were asked by the British and Maltese Governments to decide whether they wanted full integration with the United Kingdom – a remarkable proposal which ran quite contrary to colonial policy at the time. This possibility of an end to empire by the absorption of a colony into the state system of the imperial power was being attempted by France and Portugal, but this instance was the sole case in British colonial history.

Malta and the End of Empire (1971) examines the now-forgotten moment in 1956 when the people of Malta, Gozo and Comino were asked by the British and Maltese Governments to decide whether they wanted full integration with the United Kingdom – a remarkable proposal which ran quite contrary to colonial policy at the time. This possibility of an end to empire by the absorption of a colony into the state system of the imperial power was being attempted by France and Portugal, but this instance was the sole case in British colonial history.

First Published in 1988, The Commonwealth and Britain reexamines the Commonwealth connection from the perspective of British interests and priorities and assesses the need for changes in British policy. It raises questions like: Is the Commonwealth an asset or a liability to Britain in terms of international influence and obligations? Has the South African issue now become the central focus for Commonwealth consultation and conflict, or are there broader, long-term issues for which the Commonwealth remains an appropriate forum? And how useful and important for Britain are the social, cultural, and economic links which the Commonwealth fosters? This book is a must read for scholars and researchers of British politics and British history.