Australian Foreign Policy

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the role of the economy in relation to Australia's regional relations, defence and security and the international issues of the environment and human rights. The paper shows how, whilst there are many different arenas that shape Australia's foreign policy, it is evident that economic issues have a strong influence.

From the Paper:

"To a greater extent than ever before, Australia's prosperity is dependent upon the international economy (Firth 1999, p. 94). Geographically, Australia is located in the Asia-Pacific region. It is, however, a Western country. This positioning divides Australia's affinity to both its ties with America, and its increasing economic relationship with Asia (Jones & Benvenuti 2006, p. 120). One pressing issue has been how to secure Australia's position in the Asia-Pacific region. Under particular focus is Australia's effort to hitch its interests to those of the booming economies of Asia (Tracy 1997, p. 142). Since 1989, the means for achieving this has been Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Whilst all trade links have importance to Australia, our economic links with East Asia are vital as we sell more to most East Asian countries than we buy (Kelton 2006, p. 233)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Art, R. & Jervis R (2005) International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues. 7th ed., Pearson Education, New York.
• Commonwealth of Australia (2003) Advancing the National Interest: Australia's foreign and trade policy white paper - overview, Fitzgibbon, J (ed.).
• Cox, D (1997) 'The road from Rio: multilateral cooperation gives way to national interest' in Middling, Meddling, Muddling: Issues in Australian Foreign Policy. Edited by Richard Leaver & Dave Cox. Allen & Unwin 1997. St Leonards NSW, pp. 215-230
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, accessed 3rd August 2006, <http://www. dfat.gov.au>.
• Firth, S (1999) Australia in International Politics: an introduction to Australian foreign policy. Allen & Unwin. Crows Nest NSW.

More papers on Australian Foreign Policy:

• Argumentative Essay # 147578 : "Australian Foreign Policy and Iraq War"
• Persuasive Essay # 150336 : "Australian Policy on Terrorism"
• Research Paper # 128603 : "Australia's Policy Approaches to Confronting Terrorism"

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