Ethnic culture and political participation : a study of Greeks in Australia 1926-1970

This study deals with the political facets of the Greek sub-culture in Australia ever the period 1926-1970. Ideas on how far it is legitimate, expedient and possible for Greeks to participate in the Australian political process are identified and linked to assumptions and beliefs about the relationships of equality and of unequal power in which Greeks are involved, and about the importance and consequence of ethnicity as a social identity. These ideas were traced in the commentary of major ethnic- newspapers from the mid 1920’s to the mid 1960's. This material was supplemented by conversations with ethnic leaders in the Sydney Greek community, with Greek trade unionists in industries employing large numbers of Greeks and with Greek aldermen in areas of Greek concentration. Chapter I discusses the conceptual framework for the analysis. Approaches to political participation axe characterized according to the priority accorded to demand activity and to the scope of such activity. It is argued that such ideas are shared, patterned and transmitted over time in the ethnic group and can therefore be studied as elements cf the ethnic sub-culture. The nature of demand activity is discussed in order to specify the particular beliefs and assumptions which will be identified and traced over time. These beliefs are integrated into models cf belief systems constructed with reference to the cultural patterns which have been identified in studies of certain types of peasant communities and of Greek village culture. Chapter II discusses the methodology of the study. Chapter III sketches the social conditions which constitute the setting for the development of ideas over the period. The history of the ethnic group is reviewed with reference to the internal structure of the minority, its corporate resources for negotiation with the broader system and Australian attitudes towards immigrants. The period was subdivided in the light of major changes in the social context of ideas. Chapter IV deals with ideas during the period 1926 to 1935. It is shown that the beliefs of this time preclude a participant orientation to the broader political process. In relation to the host society Greeks saw themselves to be powerless and marginal and in relations between themselves to be divided and incapable of making common cause. On the other hand the notion of common interest and belief in the necessity for corporate organization contain the seeds of development towards a participant outlook. Chapter V shows how, between 1936 and 1950 the idea of common interest was enriched and attached to confidence in the group’s collective future in Australia. The minority’s integration in the society as an entity communicating with the broader system through corporate structures becomes a collective aspiration. Demand activity, confined mainly to instances of overt discrimination is defined as legitimate and feasible. These ideas develop in the context of the un­questioned assumption that the minority constitutes a distinct, separate and subordinate social entity in the society and that the potential for integration and political efficacy depends on the ability of the group to generate viable corporate structures. Chapter VI deals with the emergence of a new view of the minority's place in the society in the 1950’s. This draws the line between relations of equality and inequality at the boundary of social class. This view, which is articulated by the Greek left, derives the group's rights and potential for effec­tive political activity from the status of post-war Greek immigrants as part of the Australian working class. Radical thinking articulates the right to equality of opportunity and significantly extends the scope for legitimate and effective demand activity. The idea of bonds with Australian collecti­vities is developed by de-emphasising ethnicity. In the context of the ideological conflict within the ethnic communities during this period, the conservative sections in the communities articulated an interpretation of immigrant existence which was designed to counteract leftist ideas. They emphasized the primacy of ethnicity as a social identity and highlighted those facets in the aspirations and life situation of immig­rants which are least compatible with political participation. Chapter VII uses the assessments and experiences of indi­viduals in leadership positions to show how elements in the radical and conservative thinking of the 1950's became incor­porated in the common stock of ideas about rights and political efficacy. In the context of widespread acceptance that Greeks are entitled to equality and of a general belief in the potential for collective influence, the knowledge that ethnicity entails social distance and impedes easy access to Australian institutions no longer constitutes an unsuperable obstacle to seeking political solutions to a wide range of needs associated with ethnicity. In the early 1970's Greeks seemed to be at the point where ideas favouring political participation were widespread enough to encourage the integrative mechanisms through which participant ideas could be transformed into the habits of participation