How Australian Democracy Works – And why we need it more than ever

Australians’ trust in politics and politicians has hit record lows — so how healthy is our democracy, and where do we go from here?

In this important collection, The Conversation’s leading writers take a close look at the state of Australia’s democracy today. From parliament and the Constitution to political polarisation, disinformation, and urgent policy debates, these essays explain how power really works — and why protecting our democratic system has never been more vital.

Accessible, engaging, and jargon-free, How Australian Democracy Works is both a primer for first-time voters and essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of our country.

A call to examine, rethink and safeguard Australian democracy, this book is a guide for understanding who we are, how we got here, and what comes next.

About the author: 

Amanda Dunn is the politics and society editor for The Conversation. Prior to joining in 2016, she was a reporter and editor with The Age for sixteen years, covering education, health, features and the arts. She has won numerous awards for her writing, including the National Press Club 2013 Higher Education Media Award. She is the author of The New Puberty (MUP, 2017) and co-author of Soar: A Life Freed by Dance (Thames & Hudson, 2020).

Product details:

Author: Amanda Dunn

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Dimensions: 155 x 234 mm

Pages: 

Format: Paperback

Publication date: 4 March 2025

ISBN: