No, Prime Minister: Reclaiming Politics from LeadersLeadership has become the principal lingua franca of politics. Prime ministers now occupy the center of the nation’s political universe. But what are the causes and implications of the sharpening of prime ministerial power? Is untrammeled leadership consistent with democracy? And how is it related to the growing incumbency advantages enjoyed by governments? In this important appraisal of recent Australian political life, James Walter and Paul Strangio analyze the performances of five prime ministers (Whitlam, Fraser, Hawke, Keating and Howard) against the background of institutional changes to the political system that have been in train over the past three decades. The authors also look forward, to ask whether a new prime minister, such as Kevin Rudd, would reverse these trends, and to suggest ways to counter the detrimental vogue for leadership-centric politics. |
Contents
Political groundhog day 73 | 7 |
Howards end? | 13 |
The culture of leadership centrality | 27 |
Copyright | |
3 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
accession According achieved Administration advice advisers argued Australian authority become believe cabinet Cabinet Government campaign capacity central challenges climate commitment concerned debate decade decisions democracy democratic depends developed direct dominance economic effect election electoral elites encouraging engaged evidence example experts federal followers Fraser future groups Hawke Hawke's Howard ideas incumbency individual influence initiative instance institutions interests issues Journal Judith Brett Keating Kelly knowledge Labor Labor Party Latham leader leadership less Liberal Little major Melbourne ment Menzies ministerial networks once opinion opposition organisational parliament parliamentary party Paul Keating period political politicians practice Press prime minister prime ministerial problems public service recent reform relations remains responsibility role Rudd Senate sense serve shows social society staff strong style suggest Sydney tion trends University wanted Whitlam