The Sad Fate of the Social Sciences
In 1990, the eminent American political scientist Charles Lindblom published a book called Inquiry and Change: the troubled attempt to understand and shape society. In it, he argued that, despite the concerted effort of many thousands of social scientists working over the preceeding century, he could not identify ‘a single science finding or idea that is undeniably indespensable to any social task or effort.’ What are the particular difficulties facing contemporary social scientists and how relevant are Lindblom’s assertions today?
Jenny Stewart
Download the feature article (261 KB)
Political Secularism in Australia
At a time when religion apears to have dwindling significance in the day-to-day lives of an increasing number of Australians, there appears to be a rise in references to religion in the recent speeches of Australian politicians. Is this because clerics have an overwhelming influence on the voting habits of their declining congregations? Or, are there other factors at work?
Stephen Mutch
Effects of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) on Political Parties and Divided Societies
In Australia STV is, in principle, the electoral system used to elect Australian Senators. STV is a proportional electoral system intended to maintain the link between deputy and constituency. Does STV function as intended or does it have structural flaws that fragment some parties and exacerbate divisions in society?
Conrad E Copeland
Cricket Captains, Celebrity Cults and the Bullying Problem
Is the mainstream Australian media, and through it Australian society, being affected by the new electronic media? Are we now seeing the less inhibited and arguably more ruthless style of internet reporters and bloggers influencing traditional print and broadcast media? Will standards and regulations keep pace or will the comparatively lawless web invite more anarchy into the broader world?
Tony Smith
The Launch of the Gobal Youth Academy
James Tickner
ANC Tensions Keep Party Together
Daniel Silke
Abu Dhabi: The City that Grew out of a Desert
Val Wake
Review Essay – Historians and the First World War
George Parsons
To order a full copy of this or other issues of AQ and access more than the featured article available to download on this site, or to subscribe please contact us
AQ is also available through subscribers to RMIT or EBSCO as of 2010.
Back copies of AQ from 1929 through to 2007 are available from JSTOR