Empire, Region, World: the International Context of Australian Foreign Policy since 1939

Abstract

What have been the most important factors in international relations for Australian foreign‐policymakers over the last sixty years? Five broad themes stand out: the end of empire; Cold War dependency; the changing nature of security; economic development; and race and national identity. Cumulatively, and often in intertwined ways, these themes have amounted to little short of a revolution in Australia's place in the world since the Second World War. The challenges facing Australians have, as a result, been considerable. The international context in which Liberals have made foreign policy has been reshaping Australia as it has been reshaping the external environment.

Engaged or Not? Perceptions of Australian Influence among Asian Publics

“…Since strong feelings of nationalism tend to be associated with a dislike of out-groups (de Figueiredo and Elkins, 2003), national pride may lead to a hostile view of Australia as a threat to what citizens believe is unique about their country. As a former British outpost, a country that once defined Asia mainly in racial terms, and a former colonial power in Papua New Guinea (Reynolds, 2005: 358), Australia may be a target of hostility among more nationalistic individuals. National pride may also increase susceptibility to cues from nationalistic politicians.…”

Understanding the emergence, diffusion and continuance of intercountry adoption from South Korea to Queensland, Australia

“…The White Australia Policy which aimed at creating a homogenous society through European migration had its origins in racism and, in effect, distanced Australia from its immediate Asian neighbours (Jupp 1995). The changing global environment, Australia's isolated position in the region, and the need to forge new economic and strategic relationships in Asia contributed to the gradual dismantling of the White Australia Policy and adoption of Australian multiculturalism (Reynolds 2005). Pressure to dismantle the policy was felt both within Australia from the Department of Foreign Affairs and internationally from the United Nations and from Asian neighbours (Reynolds 2005;Tavan 2005).…”

“…The changing global environment, Australia's isolated position in the region, and the need to forge new economic and strategic relationships in Asia contributed to the gradual dismantling of the White Australia Policy and adoption of Australian multiculturalism (Reynolds 2005). Pressure to dismantle the policy was felt both within Australia from the Department of Foreign Affairs and internationally from the United Nations and from Asian neighbours (Reynolds 2005;Tavan 2005). The White Australia Policy which negatively affected Australia's reputation was relaxed in 1966 with the last remnants dismantled in 1973 enabling strengthened relationships with Asia and a significant increase in Asian immigration (Reynolds 2005;Tavan 2005).…”

“…Pressure to dismantle the policy was felt both within Australia from the Department of Foreign Affairs and internationally from the United Nations and from Asian neighbours (Reynolds 2005;Tavan 2005). The White Australia Policy which negatively affected Australia's reputation was relaxed in 1966 with the last remnants dismantled in 1973 enabling strengthened relationships with Asia and a significant increase in Asian immigration (Reynolds 2005;Tavan 2005). These reforms paralleled other social changes in Australia such as the position of women in the work force and opportunities for fertility control (Batrouney & Stone 1998;Tavan 2005).…”

“…Australia signed the ANZUS pact of 1951 which committed Australia, New Zealand and the United States, excluding Britain, to mutual Cold War security, culminating in a commitment to the Vietnam War (Reynolds 2005). The relationship was so strong Australia was referred to as the 'fifty-first state' in the late 1960s (Reynolds 2005). In the same period, the trade focus shifted to the United States and Asia contributing to the erosion of the White Australia Policy (Reynolds 2005).…”