Australia the ‘good international citizen’? The limits of a traditional middle power

Abbondanza, Gabriele

doi:10.1080/10357718.2020.1831436

Cited by 23 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…Scholars, such as Ahlhaus (2014) and Youde and Slagter (2013) refer to middle power states 2 , ideally situated in the power rankings of international affairs and respected by major and minor powers, as potentially Good International Citizens. Examples from the literature include Canada (Wylie, 2009); Australia (Lightfoot, 2006;Hoffstaedter and Lamb, 2019;Abbondanza, 2021); and South Africa (Graham, 2008;Jordaan, 2010;Geldenhuys, 2011 and.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

South Africa, Sweden, and Good International Citizenship

Graham¹

2023

The Thinker

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There are those who argue that a state embodying good international citizenship (GIC) must actively seek to improve the worldaround it, thereby making a positive contribution to overcoming global challenges. A good international citizen (state) must also be a proponent of multilateral cooperation, usually manifesting in global platforms such as the United Nations (UN). Scholars refer to middle power states being ideally situated in the power rankings of international affairs, respected by major and minor powers, tobecome custodians of emerging international norms and to pave a pathway forward for the community of states. Both South Africa and Sweden are seen as pivot countries in their respective regions and have a long history of shared desires and supports for freedom. This article will explore the notion of GIC and its desirability, and applicability, in relation to South Africa and Sweden. It employs a casestudy methodology approach in its research design and interrogates the extent to which South Africa and Sweden qualify as good international citizens according to four characteristics, drawn from the literature. The article finds that both Sweden and South Africa demonstrate elements of good international citizenship.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

South Africa, Sweden, and Good International Citizenship

Graham¹

2023

The Thinker

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“…Similar to Indonesia, Australia can also be seen as adopting a conformist middle power role in which it displays liberal internationalism, good international citizenship and multilateral activism. This good profile is due to Australia's compliance with international law, engagement in multilateralism commitment to humanitarian issues, and respect for citizens' rights (Abbondanza, 2021). Australia can integrate both realist and idealist perspectives at the same time, which accommodates its labor (liberal internationalism) and liberal and conservative political parties of foreign policy.…”

Section: The Contested Concept Of the Middle Powermentioning

confidence: 99%

The development of middle powers interaction: Australia-Indonesia bilateral relations

Hanggarini,

Madjid,

Perwita

et al. 2023

Multidiscip. Rev.

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Australia and Indonesia are two middle-power neighbors with the ability to maintain more friendly bilateral relations than in the past. They also work actively to contribute to peace and stability in the region. Does the development of bilateral relations affect their status as a middle power? Can bilateral relations promote a transition from middle power to major power in the region? There is no consensus on how to define middle powers; thus, the objective of this study is not to suggest a new definition of middle power in the debate. Instead, it applies diverse interpretations of the concept in examining the feasibility of the concept of middle power transition. This notion can be used to measure the extent to which such a transition affects a middle power. Interaction between two middle powers serves as an independent variable, and the concept of middle power is the dependent variable in this study. This study uses a qualitative method to argue that Australia and Indonesia may change their middle power position, identity, and behavior due to the development of bilateral relations. The two middle powers may have some characteristics of major power. However, this does not necessarily mean that they shift to become major powers in the region. Australia and Indonesia have the potential to transform to be more powerful as influential actors in the region and an active contributor to peace and stability in the region. This bilateral case study contributes to a broader understanding of the contested concept of middle power.

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“…86 In turn, scholars such as Price argue that this leads to a 'norm erosion' on the Australian part, 87 which adds to what Strating defined Australia's 'exemptionalism' 88 and to Abbondanza's assessment of the country's 'neutral international citizenship' (as opposed to 'good'). 89…”

Section: Australia and The 'Pacific Family'mentioning

confidence: 99%

Issues in Australian Foreign Policy July to December 2021

Abbondanza

Wilkins

2022

Aus J of Politics History

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The second half of 2021 proved an exacting time for Australian policymakers as they grappled with a range of ongoing and emergent challenges, each severely testing the country's infrastructures, capabilities, and foreign policy horizons. National policy challenges were marked by elements of continuity with the preceding period, juxtaposed with new and unexpected dilemmas. In terms of relative continuity, Australia's battle against the COVID-19 pandemicas outlined in earlier reviews by Agius and Claptonremained centre-stage, while going through a series of torturous new evolutions. 1 Furthermore, the established trend of degenerating bilateral relations with Australia's primary trading partner, China, continued unabated, with Chinese economic coercion provoking intensified rhetoric on both sides. Set against celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the ANZUS alliance, it became apparent that Canberra's posture towards China was becoming more 'securitised' across all fronts.In contrast to theses continuities, some new developments caught both scholars and analysts off guard. The announcement of a totally unanticipated initiative in the form of the 'AUKUS' (Australia-UK-US) trilateral agreement unveiled a centrepiece deal that committed the United Kingdom and United Statesamong other thingsto assist Australia with the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, and created shockwaves as the existing French deal to provide conventional vessels was unceremoniously jettisoned. Regionally, the South Pacific suffered from both new repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural calamities. In this respect, Australia's role within the 'Pacific Family' was wholly inadequate at the outset of the period under review but considerably more proactive in later months. On the global stage, Australia engaged in remarkably different ways in key forums, namely the G20 and the new United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conferences (Pre-COP26 and COP26), 2 due to contrasting goalsThe authors wish to extend their gratitude to Associate Professor Matt McDonald for his invitation to write this review and for his valuable feedback on an earlier draft.

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Australia the ‘good international citizen’? The limits of a traditional middle power

Cited by 23 publications

References 56 publications

South Africa, Sweden, and Good International Citizenship

South Africa, Sweden, and Good International Citizenship

The development of middle powers interaction: Australia-Indonesia bilateral relations

Issues in Australian Foreign Policy July to December 2021

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