{"product_id":"australias-schism-in-the-soul-colonialism-immigration-detention-and-a-nations-failure-to-mourn-paperback","title":"Australia's Schism in the Soul: Colonialism, Immigration Detention and a Nation's Failure to Mourn - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJulie Macken\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow has it become possible for the Australian state to gain public acquiescence to develop one of world's most punitive systems of processing asylum-seekers; one that not only contravenes Australia's international humanitarian commitments, but that, in the words of activists, medical professionals, and the detainees themselves amounts to torture?\u003c\/p\u003e In this highly readable account academic, journalist and advocate Dr Julie Macken takes a psychoanalytic approach to both the country and its public to uncover why. Dr Macken's investigation begins by outlining how the nation's failure to mourn its colonial past has led to a state of collective melancholia, with the result that denial and psychological splitting have prevented genuine reconciliation with First Nations peoples. The central part of the book offers a compelling account of the development of Australia's current system of privatised immigration detention and the political, economic and media forces that have sustained it that will resonate globally. In conclusion the book posits that political action in these circumstances--however distressing and visceral--should be adopted as a mental health strategy for both the person and the nation. \u003cp\u003eThis timely work offers fresh insights for those working and studying in the areas of human rights, media, refugee studies, race theory, politics, mental health and psychosocial studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Combining analytic virtuosity and political insight, this brilliant book is nothing short of a provocation. It calls for a response, it incites a conversation, it asks us to think. As such, this book is an opportunity that Australia very much needs today--for a psychic and political honesty as the only way to repair its 'schism in the soul'.\"\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e--\u003cstrong\u003eAssociate Professor Magdalena Zolkos, \u003c\/strong\u003e author of \u003cem\u003eRestitution and the Politics of Repair \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"Based on 25 years of careful research, this is a vivid and original examination of the psycho-affective history of a nation caught in the grip of collective trauma and its denial. The implications of this acutely insightful analysis extend far beyond Australia.\"\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e--\u003cstrong\u003eDr Allison Weir\u003c\/strong\u003e, author of \u003cem\u003eDecolonizing Freedom\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow has it become possible for the Australian state to gain public acquiescence to develop one of world's most punitive systems of processing asylum-seekers; one that not only contravenes Australia's international humanitarian commitments, but that, in the words of activists, medical professionals, and the detainees themselves amounts to torture?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this highly readable account academic, journalist and advocate Dr Julie Macken takes a psychoanalytic approach to both the country and its public to uncover why.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDr Macken's investigation begins by outlining how the nation's failure to mourn its colonial past has led to a state of collective melancholia, with the result that denial and psychological splitting have prevented genuine reconciliation with First Nations peoples. The central part of the book offers a compelling account of the development of Australia's current system of privatised immigration detention and the political, economic and media forces that have sustained it that will resonate globally. In conclusion the book posits that political action in these circumstances - however distressing and visceral - should be adopted as a mental health strategy for both the person and the nation.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis timely work offers fresh insights for those working and studying in the areas of human rights, media, refugee studies, race theory, politics, mental health and psychosocial studies.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulie Macken\u003c\/strong\u003e is a journalist, political consultant and advocate. Dr Macken completed a PhD at Western Sydney University in 2023 and currently heads a national campaign to change Australia's asylum seeker policy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulie Macken\u003c\/strong\u003e is a journalist, political consultant and advocate. Dr Macken completed a PhD at Western Sydney University in 2023 and currently heads a national campaign to change Australia's asylum seeker policy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 221\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5 x 8.27 x 5.83 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 22, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47584460112093,"sku":"9783031938122","price":49.22,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/9867\/8237\/files\/qUYs5hGGCC9783031938122.webp?v=1773613036","url":"https:\/\/handfulofbooks.com\/products\/australias-schism-in-the-soul-colonialism-immigration-detention-and-a-nations-failure-to-mourn-paperback","provider":"Handful of Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}