No these things are not racially based, but they do place pressure on our whole society and that manifests itself in divisions, not least racial or cultural divisions.

Add to this the direct racial and cultural pressures brought about by terrorism and associated issues and we have an almighty messy situation looming.

I believe the real issue will blow up as peak oil hits us. When fuel prices rise to the extent that many people can’t make ends meet, lose their jobs, lose easy access to food as lines of transport break down, and suffer massive inflation thus rendering their money and assets largely worthless, then the simmering divisions are really going become major schisms.

Even if we manage to get through the peak oil scenario relatively unscathed, it will still create enough stress and unrest to lead to massive divisions. Multiculturalism can only have added greatly to this background of simmering divisions.

Having laid out this dismal scenario, I must say that it is the notion of multiculturalism, along with our terribly bad resource management, and pseudo-democratic management of big business and community services that I am taking issue with. It is certainly is NOT with the people themselves that Australia has allowed to immigrate

So our freedom to associate is limited to "we" non immigrants according to some. That sounds welcoming.

And a covert concession that new immigrants who are in close proximity with those who have endured the Australian Gulag will be influenced by their understandable resentment; excellent work Realist. We're still operating under the assumption the boats are full of terrorists. Perhaps we should relocate people by legislative force into postcodes - white guy, black guy, sikh, mormon, hindu, muslim etc

The English immigrants of the 50's and sixties were housed together, in the main, in "hostels", row upon row of nissan huts; it was the Adelaide experience that they pretty much moved to a single suburb, Elizabeth - and now they are every where like pepper and salt in the great Australian social soup. As will be our swarthy brothers and sisters - in time - if we treat them as we would like to be treated.

People like the familiar; that's why we are in the middle of some bizarre social panic over a few mad mullahs and women in gabardine with scarves on thier heads - and none of us need a further theology lesson on the root and branch of Islam and its clandestine agenda to rule the world. Give it a rest. Move on. Get over it

Mirko Bagaric makes some fair points but I contest his opening line. There was nothing like 5,000 people involved in the street BBQ at Cronulla beach that later turned violent. And of those present, only a small collection became involved in the racist and violent behavior that made such colourful media footage.

The hyperbole of the media is understandable - though not forgivable. It uses hyperbole as a sales tool.

But if Mirko Bagaric is to present himself as a social commentator then he should try to maintain an honest sense of proportion.

A restrained examination of the Cronulla affair may simply allow the non Sutherland Shire Sydneysiders to smugly raise their eyebrows as they confirm that rednecks dwell in "God's Country". And those who enjoy stereotyping young men of olive complexion as violent will be an equally satisfactied by the isolated vandalism of cars in Maroubra.

But beyond illustrating the obvious - that there's occasional tension in this here big old diverse town of ours - there's not really much to learn from the Cronulla incident.

Perhaps just a lesson for the grass roots politicos - take care to own your argument.

Because from this one - a new and unknown Premier has been able to launch his career on the steps of that old kernell the law and order debate. A collection of representatives speaking for minority goups and localities have been able sell themselves as "community leaders". A bandwagon of advocates for various causes (whether they be anti-immigration or pro cultural diversification) have made strange bedfellows in their capacity to re-frame the events to suit their arguments. And the media has been able to exercise shameless hyperbole helped to the great satisfaction of all of the above - but perhaps to the detriment of the general population - to boost sales during the slow summer season.

... and Sydney got to hear that tired old refrain from sections of Melbourne yet again - you know it ....

All the rest is hyperbole.

Mirko, I very much agree with the central ideas of the article, now comes the "but".

Why so soft on the violence and abhorent behaviour that led up to the riot and continued elsewhere afterwards? Your language regarding systematic and sustained racism, sexual abuse etc by what are from almost all accounts gangs of predominately lebanese youth really seems to soft peddle that issue.

It is true that they are a small minority of the arab/muslim population in Australia but from what I have seen from afar their actions over a number of years have been having a significant impact on those unfortunate enough to cross their paths. Not just one night of rage expressing pent up frustrations but rather reportedly years of abuse of innocent bystanders, a total lack of respect for the rights of others and the law of the land.

Those who condem the actions of the mob of 5000 on that one night but who fail to express abhorence for the ongoing crimes of these gangs do not reduce racial tensions rather they contribute to a sense of tribalism which makes it worse.

The riots were deeply disturbing but much more offensive and disturbing is that ethnic gangs have been carrying out racial and sexual violence for years with little of no public censure from those who should be speaking out or moving to stop such behaviour.

R0bert

"Worldwide empirical research"

This guy is keen to get his bona fides across early. It is all backed up in those un-referenced scientific studies.

"Recent scientific studies into human wellbeing,"

Snigger. From the highly regarded wellbeing faculty I take it?

Or would that be the regurgitation of twee boilerplate faculty:

"Racism can only be defeated if we understand its root cause and come to accept the reassuring commonality of the human condition."

Those root causes again. Or perhaps the prozac and therapy enthusiasts society:

"In a nutshell, the things that are conducive to happiness are fit and healthy bodies, realistic goals, self-esteem, optimism" ...

Truncated, it was tedious.

Or finally, this optimistic nugget of social policy:

"As individuals we should all be working towards the above ends."

See, if we all pull together and try really really hard, and wish on a moonbeam, then ...

"Lets make sure that we continue to live in a society where all citizens are given an equal opportunity to flourish - this is the best guarantee of our individual prosperity."

This man is a professor of law. That is interesting.

MPP,

Yes isn't it sadly hilarious approch to such a heavy social issue.

"Mirko Bagaric argues we need to foster an environment where
individuals can flourish regardless of race or religion."

how do you spell Lobotomy... a nice little padded room on the moon for the neutral-people to keep trying and trying and trying to flourish regardless of race or religion.