Book chapter
Alien Nation: Redefining the Alien in Law and Science Fiction
The Routledge Handbook of Cultural Legal Studies, pp.238-252
Routledge, 1st
2024
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Abstract
Themes of the alien other are ubiquitous in Australian texts, in both law and science fiction. This chapter discusses the recurrence of these themes in various (con)texts, from the first pre-federation alien invasion novel The Germ Growers to the High Court decision in Love v Commonwealth; Thoms v Cth. The chapter argues that the enduring Australian fascination and anxiety with the alien is tied to the illegitimacy of Australia’s occupation by the British based on the claim that the continent was terra nullius. The work of First Nations author Claire Coleman and early parliamentary debates are also analysed in this context. Where colonial law asserts the lawfulness and neutrality of its concepts, ‘white-washing’ invasion, massacres, and genocide, the science fiction genre allows a space for the trauma of such brutalities and illegalities to be explored outside of law’s empire.
Details
- Title
- Alien Nation: Redefining the Alien in Law and Science Fiction
- Creators
- Susan Bird - Charles Darwin UniversityJo Bird - Southern Cross University
- Contributors
- Karen Crawley (Editor of compilation) - Griffith Law SchoolThomas Giddens (Editor of compilation) - Dundee Law SchoolTimothy D Peters (Editor of compilation) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication Details
- The Routledge Handbook of Cultural Legal Studies, pp.238-252
- Publisher
- Routledge; Oxon, UK
- Edition
- 1st
- Number of pages
- 15
- Identifiers
- 991013372612302368
- Copyright
- © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Karen Crawley, Thomas Giddens, and Timothy D Peters; individual chapters, the contributors.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter