The Citizen Reader Australian Edition (Paperback or Softback)

What does it mean to be a good citizen-and how do free people order their common life? H. O. Arnold-Forster answers with clarity, warmth, and a steady moral compass. Beginning with the nature of citizenship and true patriotism, he explains how laws are made, why they bind, and how local and national institutions serve the common good. Australian readers will find chapters that speak directly to their own setting, from Parliament and governors to courts, juries, taxation, and national defence, all presented in plain language and enlivened by story. This engaging edition keeps principles first and party strife last, showing how courtesy, honesty, and courage are public virtues long before they are public policies. Readers gain a working understanding of civic life and, more importantly, habits that build it: attention to facts, fairness in judgment, willingness to serve, and the cheerful resolve to do right even when it costs.