This book recounts the story of Australia's nationhood as the story of Australian Liberalism. It is a story of great and continuing debates about how best to meet the material needs of the nation, how to care for those who look to the community for aid and assistance, and how Australia should establish a global role for itself in terms of trade as much as diplomacy. It is also a story of strong and colourful personalities with deep convictions, formidable characters, and large ambitions for themselves as well as their country.

Table of Contents

Foreword - The Hon John Howard MP, Prime Minister of Australia
Preface - A.A. Staley, Immediate Past Federal President, Liberal Party of Australia

CHAPTER 1: Liberalism and the Australian Federation - A A Staley and J R Nethercote

PART ONE: AUSTRALIAN LIBERALISM: HISTORICAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
CHAPTER 2: Liberalism: the International Context - Dr. Chandran Kukathas
CHAPTER 3: Australian Liberalism - Dr Greg Melleuish
CHAPTER 4: Liberalism: The 19th Century Legacy - Winsome Roberts

PART TWO: LIBERALISM AND AUSTRALIA'S FEDERAL HISTORY
CHAPTER 5: A Liberal Federation and a Liberal Constitution - Professor Greg Craven
CHAPTER 6: The Federation Decade - Dr. Ian Marsh
CHAPTER 7: Alfred Deakin and the Australian Women's National League - Margaret Fitzherbert
CHAPTER 8: Liberalism, Nationalism and Coalition, 1910-29 - J.R. Nethercote
CHAPTER 9: The Rise and Fall of United Australia Party - Professor C.J. Lloyd AO
CHAPTER 10: Menzies: The Wartime Prime Ministership, 1939-41 - Michael Keenan
CHAPTER 11: Menzies and Post-War Prosperity - Dr. Graeme Starr
CHAPTER 12: Liberal Governments, 1966-72 - Ian Hancock
CHAPTER 13: The Fraser Years - Charles Richardson
CHAPTER 14: Towards a New Australian Settlement? The Progress of Australian Liberalism - Andrew Norton

PART THREE: LIBERALISM AND PUBLIC POLICY
CHAPTER 15: Liberalism and Australia's Economic and Industrial Development - Professor Jonathan Pincus
CHAPTER 16: Liberalism and Social Welfare - John Roskam
CHAPTER 17: Federalism and The Liberal Party - Campbell Sharman
CHAPTER 18: In the National Interest: Liberal Foreign Relations from Deakin to Howard - Professor Carl Bridge

APPENDIX 1: Australian Governments formed by the Liberal Party and its Forerunners
APPENDIX 2: Leaders of Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party and its Forerunners
APPENDIX 3: Party Representation in the House of Representatives and Senate, 1901-1998
APPENDIX 4: Some Key Dates
APPENDIX 5: Brief Biographical Notes

Endnotes
Index

"A fascinating study... The book is not a dull recitation of history and constitutional review. Here the past finds contemporary reference and meticulous reflection on political personalities and their performances. Here is also intellectual stimulation and provocation... This book may be read to advantage by all those who have a passing interest in the development of the Australian nation."

-- James Killen, Sydney Morning Herald, 2002