A cultural legacy

In many ways, there are parallels with the Vietnam War and the role that unpopular conflict had during the 1960s in eroding the moral authority of conservatives in Western intellectual and cultural life. Conservatism came to be associated with war and killing, while a radical counter-culture forged an alternative identity for the world’s youth.

The similarity with the 1960s does not end there. Currently in Australia, we are experiencing the longest period of economic growth since the Vietnam War era, as well as the highest number of annual births since that time. With economic prosperity has come renewed interest in “cultural” issues in Australian politics.

A grassroots movement stopped the selling off of the Snowy-Hydro - apparently for reasons of cultural identity. Contrary to expectations, there is unprecedented interest and enthusiasm for ANZAC Day among young people. A more rigorous citizenship test is being proposed for migrants. Labor leader Kim Beazley even argued that visa applicants sign up to Australian values and the ALP is gaining some political traction over perceptions that the Howard Government is undermining Australian work traditions in its WorkChoices legislation.

Only time will tell whether this age of terror - a time of prosperity and global tension unprecedented since the 1960s - will lead to a new counter culture or, as is more likely, to a prolonged period of conservative cultural ascendancy.