Refereed paper presented to the Australasian Political Studies Association Conference

This paper examines the recent interest in ‘agonistic politics ’ in contemporary political theory and assess its relevance for Australian politics. Drawing on the work of Hannah Arendt, James Tully, Chatal Mouffe and William Connolly it shows the historical tensions embedded in liberalism and the multiplicity of antagonisms that characterise modernity. These include the struggles for identity, cultural recognition and inclusion. It suggests the adoption of a civic republican ideal of citizenship as the basis for democratic politics in Australia. This project could be implemented by a government committed to a post-liberal policy of socio-economic reform and cultural renovation challenging Australia’s present liberal hegemon