It is Commonly Said that the Economy Rules the World…
Ghislaine van Maanen, University of Western Australia
My PhD research investigates cultural interactions between Nyungar and non-Aboriginal people in Perth. Although initially I did not consider economic dynamics as a field of investigation, my data revealed that various economic settings were influencing the outcomes of cross-cultural communication and exchanges. In this paper I discuss two of these settings: one focuses on a more microeconomic understanding of the economy whilst the second is more a macroeconomic approach. Firstly, I address the issues surrounding free-market and money-making enterprises. Private businesses seek to maximise their profits, and this is achieved when the supply meets a high demand. Commercialisations of Aboriginal art and tourist items are highly influenced by consumers’ needs and expectations. A significant number of consumers are seeking so- called ‘authentic expressions of cultures’. Businesses tend to sell products in high demand and items that often originate in remote communities dominate the niche-market of Aboriginal signifiers. How is this influencing Nyungar cross-cultural communication and shaping Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal interactions in Perth? Secondly, I look at a setting that is socially driven. Australia’s capitalist economy has a degree of government intervention. Some government agencies, including the WA Department of Education, supply cross-cultural awareness packages about Nyungar culture that may not be financially viable in a moneymaking liberal market. How does the Government of Western Australia contribute to communications about Nyungar cultures?
This paper addresses these questions and examines the need for careful consideration of how two economic settings shape cross-cultural engagements.
