Pillars of Power examines Australia's most important political, legal, and social institutions—the government, the courts, the unions, the media, the economic regulators, the defence and security apparatus, the universities, even sport. David Solomon looks at how these institutions have changed in the modern era and how they operate today—their influence, their strengths and their weaknesses.

His book is based on extensive interviews with the people who have driven the change, most notably in the phenomenal growth in prime ministerial power and the downgrading of Parliament. It details the huge and growing distortions in the federal system and the centralisation of political and economic power. A chapter is devoted to the role of the Governor-General and State Governors. Solomon uses the words and experiences of the interviewees to explore the way these institutions impact on national affairs and on individual Australians.

Table of Contents

Preface
List of figures and tables
Introduction
CHAPTER 1: Government and Parliament
CHAPTER 2: Federalism and the States
CHAPTER 3: Vice-regal institutions
CHAPTER 4: The Public Service
CHAPTER 5: Courts and the law
CHAPTER 6: Defence and security
CHAPTER 7: Economic regulators
CHAPTER 8: Unions
CHAPTER 9: Universities
CHAPTER 10: Media
CHAPTER 11: Sport
CHAPTER 12: International foundations
Conclusion: Evolving institutions
Bibliography
Index