The coming culture wars

Immigration is largely driven by the young who migrate in search of higher living standards. The triumphs of capitalist industrialisation in Asia will increase living standards and reduce the incentive for migration from Asia. The Australian immigration net may have to be cast more and more to those regions bypassed by capitalist industrialisation; Africa and the Middle East.

In the United States opposition to the migration of Hispanics, who are Christian and largely European in heritage has become a major conservative crusade. In Australia immigration of much more culturally divergent populations could become a major conservative rallying point and it may be linked to anti-feminist mobilisations in which Anglo-Australian women will be criticised for their rejection of child-bearing in favour of education and careers.

Cultural conflicts around immigration will take place against background of a broader revolutionary shift in world affairs. The conquest of Australia was the most dramatic expression of the rise of European civilisation to world dominance, but in coming decades China may supplant the United States as a global economic superpower.

As Mitt Romney has powerfully argued the United States may eventually share the fate of the once seemingly eternal European imperial powers. Charles Pearson’s 1893 prediction of the passing of European world dominance will finally be fulfilled. On the American right fear of China runs second only to that of Islam, with both seen as threats to the project of Christian civilisation, and sections of the Australian right have begun to echo these concerns.

The increasing political and electoral weight of Asian-Australians is likely to attract conservative concern if relations between China and the United States deteriorate. The role of Asian-Australian voters in John Howard’s Bennelong defeat has already attracted conservative ire.

John Howard’s critics are entitled to celebrate his defeat but the style of conservatism that he represented has substantial political achievements to its credit and it will retain substantial appeal to right of centre voters. Australian political life cannot remain exempt from the siren calls of faith, race and nation.