Darling Harbour: Imperialism, Marxism, Tourism, Society, and Culture

This critical essay delves into the multifaceted issues surrounding Sydney's Darling Harbour, exploring the interplay of imperialism, Marxism, colonialism, and tourism. It examines the historical significance of the harbor, its impact on the ecological balance, and the influence of modern colonialism on Australian society. The essay contrasts the development of tourist attractions, such as the Hard Rock Café and the Chinese Garden of Friendship, with Marxist ideologies, highlighting the economic benefits alongside the overlooked well-being of indigenous communities like the Wangal and Gadigal clans. It discusses the clash between capitalism and the traditional cultures of the Eora coast, analyzing the consequences of urban development and the need for ethical approaches to balance economic growth with social and environmental preservation. The essay concludes by emphasizing the ongoing tension between colonialism and Marxism, and the importance of considering the overall welfare of minority sections in society.

Running head: IDEA AND SOCIETY
Idea and Society
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1IDEA AND SOCIETY
The purpose of this critical essay revolves round some issues that are associated with the
Darling Harbor of Sydney. Some contexts that are very much essential for the development of
this essay are imperialism, Marxism, colonialism, tourism and some other important factors. The
Darling harbor is regarded as one of the most crucial tourist spots in the country and it is a
fantastic place full of beauty. However, there have been certain influences on the ecological
balance of the country as it was an important resource for flora and fauna during a time (Coates
2014). Therefore, the impacts of modern colonialism and its impacts on the modern society in
Australia will be discussed along with the factors that enhanced the tourism facilities in the
country. The impact of the imperialism has left a huge mark in the development of this historical
site of Sydney. Its contrast with the theories and ideologies of Marxism will also be conveyed in
this paper as well.
Critics have opined that Australia is a historical country with a rich historical
background. More importantly, this Sydney darling Harbor had provided lots of resources to the
people who lived in the nearby regions. The ecological significance of the region is one of the
main issues for consideration in this scenario. The tourist attractions in this region are mostly due
to the developments made (Coates 2014). The establishment of the pop culture café is regarded
as a very crucial factors it being considered as a destination for the tourists.
The Hard Rock Café in Sydney is one of the most interesting spots in the country and
many tourists go there to spend their leisure time. In this Hard Rock café, the pop culture has
been introduced. This is one of the main symbols of the spread of imperialism in the country.
This has indeed become a central place of attraction for the capitalist investments. The business
facilities have gained the recognition in these places. Many employment opportunities have been

2IDEA AND SOCIETY
created here as well. However, this place has threatened the way of living styles of the
indigenous people of the country.
However, critics have marked this pop culture café as a symbol of the modern
imperialism. Though, it is very good for the country in terms of the economic development, the
well being of the indigenous people in the region has been overlooked completely. These
indigenous people in the region were the Wangal and Gadigal clans in the Eora coast (Hartwell
2017). The clans of this region as previously mentioned will find it very difficult to go to the
Parramatta River so they could collect food for their living. So, this is not at all a good thing for
the well being of these people.
Here one would definitely use the theory and ideology of Marxism since it speaks of well
being of the common people and contrasts the ideas of capitalism and imperialism. As the local
indigenous people belonging to the Wangal and Gadigal clans will face problems to earn their
food, it has been noted as a negative point of imperialism (Hartwell 2017). Therefore, the
ecological balance of the coastal plains will be under threat. The livelihood of the people in the
region will be under jeopardy as well. As these clans are the working class people and they have
nothing to do with capitalism, they will face serious issues in the future and they will find it very
hard to thrive (Sherman 2014). So, it is a two-way matter. There are both positive and negative
points in this scenario.
The development of the tourist spot will lead to a huge economic development but the
well being of the common people will be under serious threat as well. There is a good place for
the people to relax in this place. This place is for the fun loving people and this is a symbol of the
capitalism (Cohen 2017). This place is called the Chinese Garden of Friendship. This place was

3IDEA AND SOCIETY
built to commemorate the friendship between Sydney and Guangzhou. This is a sign of the
bridging the gap between China and Australia. Here it should be mentioned that both the
countries follow different ideals. Australia strictly follows where China is a follower of
Capitalism and modern imperialism (Murray 2017). Apart from the several bars and eateries,
there are some places in the city that can be regarded as hubs for imperialism. There are several
funky bars, bistros and nightclubs here and there in the city. There are some beautiful and
decorated dining options and aquariums as well. These bistros and nightclubs are located
generally at the King Street Wharf and Cockle bay.
Hence the development of the society could also been seen in this context since the cross-
cultural bridges were being made (Perez 2016). It is because the cross-cultural influence was
there because people businesses began to grow with people from different cultures because of the
presence of the Darling Harbor in Sydney. All these business had a fair amount of influence on
the lives of the common people in the region (Sherman 2014). Therefore, it is quite good for the
flourishing of society in the region. Critics believe this is very good for the welfare of the region
should have been the first priority for the people doing business in the region. There are also
some symbols of the modern imperialism in the area including the bars and eateries. This is also
a huge development of the region which was nowhere near this situation a hundred years ago.
The urban development has been the main priority for the Government in the region (Murray
2017).
The location of Hard Rock café is indeed very much popular because of its connectivity.
The quality service of the location has attracted the tourists as well. The lifestyles of the
aboriginals have been affected by the beginning of these places. The Hard Rock Café at the
Darling Harbor is the supreme mark of the spreading of imperialism. This theme of imperialism

4IDEA AND SOCIETY
is good for the economic development of the country as the critics have addressed (Perez 2016).
The development of this region will open up the opportunities for dining, shopping and
entertainment arenas. This is probably the reflection of the Western Civilization and
development is the main motto of this. The imperialism and capitalism are regarded as its
vehicles in the words of the philosophers and scholars. According to Kant, Enlightenment is the
solitary thing that should be aimed by the different civilizations. Enlightenment can only be
achieved when people will get over their weaknesses after identifying them and strive for a better
future indeed (Acemoglu & Robinson 2015).
Coming back to the ecological perspectives and the ideologies of Marxism, it can be
stated that the well being of these clans is the prior responsibility of the Federal Government and
they should follow an ethical approach in this scenario. Despite this is a good attempt of
developing the region and embedding tourism practices, it can be said that capitalism is basically
the rise of wealth for a section of the society. The entire society does not achieve this growth.
Rather a section of the society receives this good fortune and rich people in the society get richer
and poor people become poorer (Acemoglu & Robinson 2015). Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
have said that the developments should be applied on both the bourgeoisie and proletariat
sections.
In this section, the bourgeoisie section of the society has received the positive impacts of
the changes and proletariat section like the Gadigal and Wangal clans in the country have
become poorer (Macintyre 2014). This is not at all the proper development of the society. The
establishment of the Hard Rock Café can be a good symbol for the capitalist development
because rich people only will be able affords these services. The socio-political development of

5IDEA AND SOCIETY
the working class has been ignored here indeed. So, the clash between the ideologies of Marxism
and capitalism is very clear in the case of Darling Harbor in Sydney (Powell 2014).
Another crucial thing that can be pointed out here is regarding the loss of the traditional
culture of Wangal and Gadigal clans to embrace the modernity. Therefore, traditions of the
ancient Australia have been compromised here so the modernity can be practiced and modern
things can be built (Macintyre 2014). The historical changes have been noticed in this notable
here in this context. The view of the critics is mixed. It is because it will be problematic for the
indigenous people of the society to consume the seafood from the Parramatta River. Hence, it is
quite apparent that the economic developments might have taken place here and job
opportunities have also been created because of its presenc (Birns 2015). However, the
preservation of the aquatic life and ecological balance has been ignored to a certain level. The
economic growth has been caused here but it has been very much problematic for the overall
welfare of the local tribal groups (Pink & Lewis 2014).
The people of the Eora coast have been deprived of their opportunities to flourish and
earn their livelihoods in an independent manner. These are the negative impacts of these
developments in the site Darling Harbor in Sydney. The political reforms could provide better
opportunities for the growth of these sections of the society (Birns 2015). The emphasis should
be given on the overall developments of the minority sections in the society. Their cultures must
be preserved as well. The cultures and traditions of the communities in Eora should be given the
priority since the developments in Darling Harbor has taken place at the region where they used
to thrive (Pink & Lewis 2014).

6IDEA AND SOCIETY
On a concluding note, it can be said that the themes of colonialism and Marxism have
constantly been in the opposing ends for a long time now. These two themes are also quite
important in the understanding of Sydney through the Darling Harbor. Though the economic
growth of the situation has improved a lot, problems have arisen in terms of preserving the local
communities of Eora coast and aquatic life in the region. The opportunities for accessing food for
the Wangal and Gadigal communities have suffered a lot here. Therefore, critics have given a
mixed response about this scenario. The clash between the proponents of Marxism and
Capitalism has gained momentum in all the fields.

7IDEA AND SOCIETY
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