The story of Magna Carta is the essential prologue to the story of
Western democracy. It is a foundation stone in the political culture and
legal system of Australia and other countries that share a common law
heritage. This book combines a most readable general history of the
influence of Magna Carta in the emergence of Western democracy since
1215 with beginning and concluding observations on the Great Charter's
relevance to Australia, the European settlement of which began as that
of a penal colony. Magna Carta was soon, however, to provide a sound
basis for the 'British right' to colonial self-government. This is the
tale of the importance of history and culture in securing rights, and
how the Great Charter is far more pivotal to our present freedom than a
face-value reading of the document would allow.