Exploring Australian Identity and Belonging in the 21st Century Essay

This essay explores the multifaceted concept of Australian identity and belonging in the 21st century, examining how nationality and the experience of belonging have evolved. It delves into key theoretical concepts, including nationalism, multiculturalism, and ethnicity, as presented by scholars such as Anderson, Weber, and Durkheim. The essay analyzes the interplay between self and society, considering the influence of social factors, globalization, and legal frameworks on shaping Australian identity. It discusses how these factors contribute to a sense of direction and belonging within the nation, highlighting the shift from indigenous to contemporary perspectives. Furthermore, the essay examines the impact of globalization and social changes on Australian society, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse cultural practices and upholding national integrity.

Identity and belonging
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Introduction
Identity and belonging are two aspects that are really important and play a very crucial role. The
concept helps in explaining the pathway taken by an individual to achieve their goals in society.
The book Identity and belonging entirely examine the interplay between self and society. The
key concepts analyzed by the book will be discussed thus helping to give guidance on the aspect
of belonging and identity (Anderson, 2010 p.67).
What it means to be Australian in the 21st century
This section will be described through the use of theoretical concepts gained in class. The first
concept is outlined in the article "The ethnicity reader: nationalism, multiculturalism, and
migration, edited by M. Guibernau & G.REX, 2nd edition, Polity, Cambridge,56-63. The article
was published by Anderson, B., in, 2010. The concept outlined in the article outlines how a
nation achieves a sense of direction through the application of ethnicity, ethnic relations,
nationalism and aspect of multiculturalism (Anderson,2010 p.87).The article explains the issue
of nationalism as a social, economic, political and ideological movement that promotes the
interest of citizens in the country. The essence of nationalism guides the Australians on what to
do and not to do in society. Therefore nationalism advocates for self-determination hence having
sovereignty in political power. On another hand, the issue of multiculturalism accounts for ethnic
pluralism whereby different cultural groups in Australians enter into a dialogue with one another
thus sacrificing their priorities hence a sense of identity. The author has explained the mixed
ethnicity which works in a community area where there multiple cultural practices like in
countries such as Australia. The article reminds the citizens to uphold their integrity and observe
an aspect of ethnicity, for example, the Australians should observe the policies outlined by the
concept of nationalism and multiculturalism.

The second theoretical work that shows what it means to be Australian in the 21st century is in
the book known as "Power, E., in identity and belonging, Palgrave Macmillan, London ,86-
98(Ch 7)." The book was edited by K.Huppatz, M.Hawkins & A.Mathews in 2016. The book
educates the nation on how to handle concepts related to ethnicity, social class, gender, sexuality,
and religion. All these concepts outlined in the article advocates for patriotism whereby the
identity and belonging calls for the interplay between the self and society Huppatz, Hawkins &
Mathews 2016 p.50). Being an Australian in the 21st century means observing all these concepts
outlined in the article. The issue displayed by the article and which is relevant to Australians is
understanding where they are, understanding where they have come from and above respecting
and holding integrity in other groups in the society. The book also advocates for change in the
formation of communities and identities within the nation. This means that countries need to
investigate what to adhere to when handling the concept of identity and belonging.
In addition, the other theoretical concepts used in the essay is based on an article known as "in
Questioning identity: gender, class, ethnicity, 2nd edition, Routledge, London, 6-41."The article
was edited by Woodward, K in 2004. The concept outlined in source accounts different concepts
which have been described by use of case studies (Woodward, 2004 p.90).The sub-topic outlined
in the article are based on aspects of gender, class, and ethnicity which are the basis for identity
and belonging. Australians need to appreciate the current world based on the concepts outlined in
the article such as the importance of ethnicity in the country. Understanding the social class and
gender rights and freedoms account for what it means to be an Australian in the 21st century.

How Australian nationality and experience of belonging to the nation-state has changed over
time
However, there are other concepts which are explained to account for what it means to be an
Australian in the 21st century (Spaaij, 2012 p.45). The first concept is based on Max Weber
theory. The concept of Max Weber describes the legal responsibilities whereby it describes three
types of power found in the organization that is traditional powers, legal power, and charismatic
power. Max calls society to realize these powers. Therefore Australians need to realize the
bureaucratic concepts such as task specialization, rules and requirements, and the impersonal
features. All these concepts help the country to have a sense of direction and a sense of identity.
This means that Australians ought to account for legal formalities thus inducing change to legal
structures in the county such as the national government (Beck, 2000 p.76). Max Weber theory
helps Australians to work effectively since all legal frameworks in the country and connected
together hence calling for togetherness (Franklin, 2003 p.56).
The second concept which calls for identity and belonging in Australia is the concept outlined in
Durkheim's thesis on solidarity. The issue of solidarity outlined is based on the views that social
factors are the major factors that influence one's social values. Social factors are referred to like
things such as the languages we speak as Australians and entire ethics surrounding our nation.
The social factors in Australian have the power that helps in building the nation. In conjunction
to this, it shows that being an Australian in the 21st century, then one has to be familiar on the
social factors which serve as the guiding factor in the nation when realizing the dream of
common identity and belonging (Savage, Bagnall & Longhurst, 2001 p.90). Ordinary Durkheim
has explained on two concepts of solidarity that's mechanical solidarity and religious beliefs.

Understanding these two concepts helps Australians to understand the issue attributed to the 21st
century.
The other aspect which has incurred change in Australia is the concept of globalization. Reports
indicate that globalization is the key aspect which is inducing revolution in the country. The
social impacts of globalization are inducing new changes in society which measures the level of
culture and multiculturalism (Dwmpsey , 2002 p.98).Also, globalization has catalyzed mobility
between Australia and other nations. This means Australian life is changing from a day to
another thus one can argue that globalization in entire Australia is substantially positive hence
inducing new changes to society.
Conclusion
Australian's identity and sense of belonging is an aspect that is deeply rooted among the souls of
many Australians. Moreover, the definition of their identity and sense of belonging has changed
over time starting from the indigenous Australians to contemporary Australians. It can, therefore,
be concluded that identity and belonging is an aspect of national pride and should always be
upheld by any country whatsoever, not just Australia.

References
Anderson, B., 2010.The ethnicity reader: nationalism, multiculturalism, and migration, edited by
M. Guibernau & G.REX, 2nd edition, Polity, Cambridge, 56-63.
Beck, U. (2000) ’Chapter One: The Brazilianisation of the West: Two Scenarios, One
Introduction’ in his The Brave New World of Work, Polity Press: Cambridge, Oxford, Malden.
Dwmpsey ,K., 2002. In social Self, global culture: an introduction to sociological ideas, 2nd edn,
Oxford University Press, South Melbourne ,7(8), 140-152.
Franklin, M. (2003) ’I define my own identity: Pacific articulations of ’race’ and ’culture’ on
the internet’ Ethnicities, 3 (4): 465-490.
Huppatz, K , Hawkins, M. & Mathews, A. 2016. Power, E., in identity and belonging, Palgrave
Macmillan, London, 5(89), 86-98 (Ch 7).
Savage M., Bagnall, G. & Longhurst, B. (2001) ’Ordinary, Ambivalent, Defensive: Class
Identity in the Northwest of England’ Sociology, 35 (4): 875892.
Spaaij, R. (2012) Beyond the playing field: Experiences of sport,social capital, and integration
among Somalis in Australia. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 35(9): 1519-1538.
Woodward, K in 2004. In Questioning identity: gender, class, ethnicity, 2nd edition, Routledge,
London, 6-41.