The Knowledge Solution: Politics

by Michelle Grattan (Introduction)

Can a return to direct democracy reconnect a jaded electorate with an out-of-touch establishment? Would reforming Canberra's toxic culture lead to worthwhile debate and better decision-making? Should today's leaders look back on successful governments to learn how to lead parliament to a full term? In The Knowledge Solution: Politics, the best of our thinkers from across the political and ideological spectrum dissect the many challenges facing Australian democracy in the twenty-first century. The result is a frank assessment of the current problems and the radical reforms needed so that Australian democracy can deliver the equality, opportunity and prosperity it promises. With an introduction by Michelle Grattan, contributors include Gareth Evans, Maxine McKew, Katharine Murphy, Tony Abbott, Bill Shorten, Paul Kelly, Greg Combet, Noel Pearson, Melissa Lukashenko, Terri Butler and Peter van Onselen and more

Genres: Nonfiction

277 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2018

About the author

Michelle Grattan AO, is an Australian journalist and was the first woman to become editor of an Australian metropolitan daily newspaper. Specialising in political journalism, Grattan has written and edited for many significant Australian newspapers.

Reviews

[Ninja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short essays, mostly ~10 pages, from politicians and political commentators. Covers liberal and conservative, general thoughts on current political short-comings, challenges, the political life generally, aboriginal issues and democracy in general. Quite relevant, with most just a couple of years old, and one by Tony Abbott and one by Bill Shorten.

[Chelsea Avila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite recently got interested in politics after being outraged by the governments lack of transparency and progression especially on climate change, however this book gave me hope that we've done some stuff right in the past, and the proposed reforms and what we need to change are all possible under some reworking of leadership and political participation.

[Joel Blacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of essays containing commentary and insight in regards to Australian politics from across the political spectrum. A number of essays proved rather wordy and difficult to digest. Great for building upon a solid basis of understanding.