As the two major political parties in Australia face unprecedented threats to their historical dominance, a new book offers a comprehensive analysis of the Liberal Party of Australia, tracking its historic success, changing ideologies and role in 21st Century politics.
The Australian Liberal Party: Volume 1: Ideas, History and Organisation, edited by Monash University's Associate Professor Zareh Ghazarian, Associate Professor Matteo Bonotti, and Australian National University's Dr Marija Taflaga, brings together a range of experts to provide a critical exploration of one of the country's most enduring political parties.
Associate Professor Ghazarian explained that the book provides a critical assessment of the Liberal Party's role and impact at a time when traditional party bases are shifting against a backdrop of local, national and international pressures.
"Australia is one of the world's oldest, most stable democracies, making it a perfect case study for how political parties function," Associate Professor Ghazarian said. "This book doesn't just provide a history of the Liberal Party; it's a vital conversation about the current health and future trajectory of major political parties around the world.
"It comes at a time of new political challenges emerging in contemporary liberal democracies. Misinformation, disinformation and populism all have the capacity to disrupt policy debate and shift political ideologies and voting trends."
Founded in 1944, the Liberal Party has been a dominant force in shaping modern Australia. However, as minor parties, independent movements and shifting voter demographics place the stable two-party system under immense pressure, this book opens a new conversation about political parties in one of the world's oldest liberal democracies.
The book offers a deep dive into the party's unique origins, organisational structure and inner operations since its inception, examining its electoral performance and its vital relationship with its coalition partner, the National Party. The book also considers the multiple challenges confronting the party in the 21st Century.
The second half of the book shifts focus to the Liberal Party's complex internal machinery, offering critical, state-by-state analysis of its regional divisions. Chapters in the volume explore the performances of state and territory branches – from the unexpected success story of the New South Wales Liberal Party to the recent poor results experienced by the Victorian branch.
With the party out of government across every mainland state except Queensland since 2024, co-editor Associate Professor Matteo Bonotti argues that the party has reached a historic tipping point. Amidst public debate and internal disputes within the party about its leadership, policies and campaign strategies, the party is losing support among key sections of the community – especially younger voters and women – and has lost heartland electorates to both the Labor Party and emerging political forces like independent movements.
"The Liberal Party is facing an existential crisis like it has never seen before. Faced with rising far-right populist movements both at home and abroad, the party is grappling with internal disunity and an identity crisis. This book asks whether this could be the end of the Liberal Party as we know it," Associate Professor Bonotti said.
Designed for political science scholars, students and general readers alike, this essential two-volume collection propels a new wave of research into right-of-centre politics and serves as an indispensable guide for anyone trying to decipher the current state of Australian politics.
A launch event for the book will take place at The Learning Landscape Terrace at the University of Tasmania, Hobart. The event will take place from 5.30pm - 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 June 2026. Attendees can register here.
