Jon Altman's work honoured in new book

The work of RegNet and ANU Emeritus Professor Jon Altman has been honoured with the publication of the new edited volume of essays, Engaging Indigenous Economy. The volume brings together essays by scholars who have been inspired by his work on the economic activity and engagement of Indigenous Australians and the hybrid-economy. RegNet Braithwaite Fellow, Shelley Bielefeld has also contributed to the volume, with her essay ‘Neoliberalism and the return of the guardian state: Micromanaging Indigenous peoples in a new chapter of colonial governance’

About the book

The engagement of Indigenous Australians in economic activity is a matter of long-standing public concern and debate. Jon Altman has been intellectually engaged with Indigenous economic activity for almost 40 years, most prominently through his elaboration of the concept of the hybrid economy, and most recently through his sustained and trenchant critique of policy. He has inspired others also to engage with these important issues, both through his writing and through his position as the foundation Director of The Australian National University’s Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy research from 1990 to 2010.

This collection of essays marks those events. Contributors include long‑standing colleagues from the disciplines of economics, anthropology and political science, and younger scholars who have been inspired by Jon’s approach in developing their own research projects. All point to the complexity as well as the importance of engaging with Indigenous economic activity — conceptually, empirically and as a strategic concern for public policy.

Download the ebook from ANU Press.