Ideas and Society in 2017

In this episode from our Ideas and Society program our panellists take you back to the Russian Revolution.

Speaking on the centenary of one of the most significant moments in history is Professor Sheila Fitzpatrick, one of the world’s leading historians of the Soviet Union, and based at the University of Sydney.

Leading the discussion is Mark Edele – one of Professor Fitzpatrick’s most distinguished former students and now Hansen Chair in History at the University of Melbourne.

Together they reflect on the Soviet experience and the momentous global impact of the events of 1917.

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In this episode from our Ideas and Society program, Former Prime Minister Paul Keating discusses where Australia stands in its relationship with China, within the post Trump and Brexit era. Mr Keating has long argued for greater independence in Australian foreign policy and for more focus on the country’s immediate neighbours to the north.

You will also hear from Professor Allan Gyngell, an Adjunct Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy at the ANU. Professor Gyngell has published and spoken extensively on Australian foreign policy, Asian regional relations, and the development of global and regional institutions.

The conversation is facilitated by La Trobe University International Relations expert, Professor Nick Bisley.

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In this episode from our Ideas and Society program, we explore recent events in Western politics and question whether they establish a type of anti-establishment populism. We’ll look at the election of Donald Trump, the Brexit vote, the rise of right-wing regimes in Hungary and Poland, and in Australia the re-birth of the One Nation Party.

Speakers

• Judith Brett, Emeritus Professor of Politics at La Trobe and author of several books on the history of the liberal-conservative tradition in Australia.
• Katharine Murphy, a senior journalist with The Guardian, known as a perceptive and respected observer of local political culture.
• Guy Rundle, reporter at large for online news site Crikey.

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China’s emergence as a power of the first rank has changed the Asian region and the world. It has reordered established patterns of trade and investment, unsettled a long standing balance of power in Asia and brought old historical antagonisms to the surface.

As President Xi Jinping consolidates his power, China increasingly presents a confident and at times assertive face to the wider world. What does China want from its region? What is its vision for Asia and how much change would this represent? What options exist for Australia to influence how the People’s Republic comports itself on the wider global stage?

Speakers

• Kevin Rudd: Mr Rudd served as Australia’s 26th Prime Minister (2007-2010, 2013) and as Foreign Minister (2010- 2012).
• Linda Jakobson, CEO and Founding Director of China Matters
• Nick Bisley, Executive Director of La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations

Recorded on 26 October 2017 at the Sofitel Grand Ballroom

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Kevin Rudd on China's rise and a new world order transcript [DOC 124KB]

In this episode from our Ideas and Society program, our panel covers the issues surrounding care and the increasing importance of care as the Australian population ages and people with disability live longer.

This discussion took place as part of the Bendigo Writers’ Festival. You’ll hear from:

• Rachel Robertson, a writer and Senior Lecturer at Curtain University. She is the mother of a disabled child. 'Reaching 1000' – her memoir about caring for her autistic son – was shortlisted for the National Biography Award.
• Anne Mann, a journalist and social philosopher with works published in The Australian, The Age and The Monthly. As well as caring for her mother, Anne also cares for her husband and fellow panellist Robert Manne.
• Robert Manne, an Emeritus Professor and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at La Trobe University. He was the Professor of Politics at La Trobe for many years and is the founder of the Ideas and Society program. Robert had a laryngectomy in 2016 and will speak about his experience as a giver and receiver of care.

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