Thoroughly Modern Patriot: Australia, the Monarchy and a Fair Fight

Australia’s connection to the British Monarchy is instinctive to many Australians. But a great deal of us don’t know precisely how or why. Part history, part biography and part common sense, this compact and readable essay from Sean Jacobs offers a ‘modern upgrade’ to our understanding and appreciation of Australia’s monarchy, covering ground on Australian leadership, culture, foreign policy and even Queen Elizabeth’s appeal to the traditions of Indigenous cultures. At a time when republican designs are emerging, and Queen Elizabeth’s reign enters the eighth decade, Thoroughly Modern Patriot offers a practical and sensible look at our current arrangements, and how these can continue to serve Australia well into the future.

Sean Jacobs is a Papua New Guinean-born Australian writer, government relations and public policy specialist. He has worked at all levels of government in Australia, New Zealand and PNG, and holds a BA (International Relations) from Griffith University and Postgraduate Certificate in Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism from Macquarie University. Jacobs currently lives in Brisbane.