Boyer Lectures
ABC
2025 ABC Boyer Lecture Series: Australia: A Radical Experiment in Democracy
Curated and hosted by respected journalist, author and broadcaster, Dr Julia Baird, this year's Boyer Lecture Series explores the theme Australia: A Radical Experiment in Democracy, through five distinct orations examining the strengths and challenges of our democracy as we navigate unprecedented global changes in politics, society and technology.
The speakers—drawn from academia, literature, and policy— reflect on the paradox of Australians' declining trust in politicians alongside their continued faith in the integrity of electoral processes.
This year's keynote is Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics and Public Policy from the University of Michigan and visiting professor at the University of NSW, whose lecture "Australia is Freaking Amazing", is enthusiastic about our strong institutions and asks whether Australia needs a form of conservative radicalism?
The second lecturer is the Hon John Anderson, AO, farmer, grazier and former deputy prime minister, whose talk, 'Our Civilisational Moment' argues that Australia lacks the spirit, not the machinery of democracy.
Our third lecturer is Larissa Behrendt, a Euahleyai/Gamillaroi woman, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Technology, Sydney, and host of the ABC Radio National's Speaking Out program. Her lecture, 'Justice, Ideas and Inclusion' outlines the strengths and pitfalls of our country's legal system, and how our democracy might be enriched by our First Nations' peoples' wisdom of interdependence.
Amelia Lester, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy magazine, our fourth lecturer, examines how Artificial Intelligence could potentially undermine democracy here, in her lecture entitled 'AI, On Australia's Terms'.
And in the final lecture, James Curran, author and professor of modern history at the University of Sydney, will argue that the US Presidency holds advantages for Australia, if we are brave enough to take them, and to confront possible changes in our historic alliance, in his speech, 'Trump's Gift'.
The keynote lecture will be broadcast on October 18 on ABC-TV and on consecutive Sundays starting October 19 on ABC Radio National's Sunday Extra program, at 8.05am.
Sunday 26th October at 8.05am you can hear Hon John Anderson's lecture
Sunday 2nd November at 8.05am tune in to hear Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt
Sunday 9th November at 8.05am on Radio National Amelia Lester will give her lecture
Sunday 16th November at 8.05am on Radio National you can hear Professor James Curran's lecture 'Trump's Gift'
All lectures can also be watched via ABC iview and heard at any time on the ABC ListenApp.
Curated and hosted by respected journalist, author and broadcaster, Dr Julia Baird, this year's Boyer Lecture Series explores the theme Australia: A Radical Experiment in Democracy, through five distinct orations examining the strengths and challenges of our democracy as we navigate unprecedented global changes in politics, society and technology.
The speakers—drawn from academia, literature, and policy— reflect on the paradox of Australians' declining trust in politicians alongside their continued faith in the integrity of electoral processes.
This year's keynote is Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics and Public Policy from the University of Michigan and visiting professor at the University of NSW, whose lecture "Australia is Freaking Amazing", is enthusiastic about our strong institutions and asks whether Australia needs a form of conservative radicalism?
The second lecturer is the Hon John Anderson, AO, farmer, grazier and former deputy prime minister, whose talk, 'Our Civilisational Moment' argues that Australia lacks the spirit, not the machinery of democracy.
Our third lecturer is Larissa Behrendt, a Euahleyai/Gamillaroi woman, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Technology, Sydney, and host of the ABC Radio National's Speaking Out program. Her lecture, 'Justice, Ideas and Inclusion' outlines the strengths and pitfalls of our country's legal system, and how our democracy might be enriched by our First Nations' peoples' wisdom of interdependence.
Amelia Lester, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy magazine, our fourth lecturer, examines how Artificial Intelligence could potentially undermine democracy here, in her lecture entitled 'AI, On Australia's Terms'.
And in the final lecture, James Curran, author and professor of modern history at the University of Sydney, will argue that the US Presidency holds advantages for Australia, if we are brave enough to take them, and to confront possible changes in our historic alliance, in his speech, 'Trump's Gift'.
The keynote lecture will be broadcast on October 18 on ABC-TV and on consecutive Sundays starting October 19 on ABC Radio National's Sunday Extra program, at 8.05am.
Sunday 26th October at 8.05am you can hear Hon John Anderson's lecture
Sunday 2nd November at 8.05am tune in to hear Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt
Sunday 9th November at 8.05am on Radio National Amelia Lester will give her lecture
Sunday 16th November at 8.05am on Radio National you can hear Professor James Curran's lecture 'Trump's Gift'
All lectures can also be watched via ABC iview and heard at any time on the ABC ListenApp.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 30, 2003 • 29min
Lecture 3: A Democratic World
As Owen Harries discussed in his previous lecture, America has proclaimed a policy of assertively promoting democracy around the world. Almost 30 years ago some commentators predicted that democracy was in decline, but such predictions have not come to pass - and indeed the reverse could be said to be true.
Nov 23, 2003 • 28min
Lecture 2: Taking on Utopia
In his second lecture Owen Harries details how the United States has evolved since the fall of the Soviet Union. In the first decade it failed to define and activate a grand purpose of mission in line with its status as the sole superpower. September 11 2001 changed that, giving the country the clear purpose that had been lacking, with influence shifting to those who believed that the country's destiny was to reshape the world. 9/11 was not a disaster merely to be avenged, but an opportunity to reawaken and, some say, direct America back to its true historical mission.
Nov 16, 2003 • 30min
Lecture 1: And Then There Was One
With the break up of the Soviet Union 12 years ago, a new era of international politics began, fundamentally altering the structure of the global political system. For the first time the world faced a unipolar system in which only one superpower dominated - the United States became the first 'global hegemon'. The implications of this are still working themselves out - indeed it took over a decade for many, including America, to realise that the United States had hegemonic power.
Nov 4, 1995 • 32min
Lecture 4 — The companionable state
Lecture 4 of A Truly Civil Society, the 1996 Boyer Lecture series presented by Eva Cox.
Nov 4, 1995 • 32min
Lecture 1 — Broadening the views
Lecture 1 of A Truly Civil Society, the Boyer Lecture series of 1996 presented by Eva Cox.
Nov 4, 1995 • 32min
Lecture 2 — Raising social capital
Lecture 2 of A Truly Civil Society, the 1996 Boyer Lecture series presented by Eva Cox.
Nov 4, 1995 • 32min
Lecture 5 — Change, diversity and dissent
Lecture 5 of A Truly Civil Society, the 1996 Boyer Lecture series presented by Eva Cox.
Nov 4, 1995 • 32min
Lecture 3 — The dark side of the warm inner glow: family and communitarians
Lecture 3 of A Truly Civil Society, the 1996 Boyer Lecture series presented by Eva Cox.
Nov 4, 1995 • 32min
Lecture 6 — Towards a utopian road movie
Lecture 4 of A Truly Civil Society, the 1996 Boyer Lecture series presented by Eva Cox.
