Watch here: https://youtu.be/9bFoGoxcuQY

When Peter Kurti published "The Ties That Bind: Reconciling Value Pluralism and National Identity in Australia", Jude felt compelled to disagree vehemently, though only in a rhetorical sense!

“Australia’s multicultural democracy is under increasing pressure, not only from economic uncertainty but from the moral and cultural disagreements that have intensified in recent years. Deep cultural and moral diversity presents both remarkable opportunities and profound challenges for our national identity,” writes Peter.

Jude’s response? When disagreements grow too intense, the state must eventually intervene and take sides. He warns of ‘the tyranny of the majority’, the danger that majority opinion in a democracy can suppress dissenting voices or infringe on the basic rights of minorities. So, what happens when illiberal opinions become the dominant norm?

This is not a merely theoretical concern. We live in a time of growing social division. The war in Gaza, for example, has exposed rising levels of antisemitism in Australia which is seen by some as disturbingly close to the new normal. The mainstream media may even help to fuel these opinions in the way they report on global conflicts.

Earlier this year, the BBC admitted to airing a prime-time documentary narrated by the son of a Hamas terrorist leader. Our colleague Tom Switzer recently interviewed BBC journalist Tim Franks about this incident, broader questions of editorial bias and how journalists with strong opinions can still strive to report fairly.

So, what’s the answer?

Democracies thrive on healthy debate and a shared commitment to truth. If you're interested in Peter Kurti’s work on civil society and antisemitism, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to CIS:
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