Australian Foreign Policy: Controversies and Debates

Australian Foreign Policy: Controversies and Debates examines the core debates and multiple dilemmas that define foreign policy in Australia. The book will produce a critical understanding of the multiple influences on the formulation, implementation and transformation of Australian foreign policy. Key bilateral relationships, including China, Indonesia and the US, will be investigated. Attention is also paid to contemporary issues such as asylum seekers, terrorism, international environmental issues, good international citizenship and economic globalisation. The debates are informative and potentially provocative as the book is designed to encourage discussion and analytical and critical thought. For the topics discussed, there is not necessarily a 'right' answer. Readers are asked to develop their own opinions and hypotheses based on critical engagement with the debates. Each chapter concludes with follow-up questions to help draw these out.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Part I: Origins & Organisation of Australian Foreign Policy Debate Point: Should Realism guide Australia's National Interest? 2. The Liberal/Labor Tradition 3. Media and the Making of Foreign Policy Debate Point: It is unwise for governments to make foreign policy in response to media-driven agendas 4. Australian Diplomacy and Multilateralism 5. The Global Economy Debate Point: Does an open-free market economy make Australia more or less secure in a globalised world? 6. Terrorism Debate Point: The threat of terrorism is exaggerated Debate Point: Australia is, and always has been, a pliant ally - a lapdog - that too readily follows the US 8. ANZUS and the Rise of China 9. Relations with Indonesia Debate Point: Indonesia remains Australia's biggest blind spot 10. Australia in the Pacific Debate Point: Australia should be seen as a 'bully' or 'neo-colonialist' in light of its foreign policy in the Pacific region and its relationships with its regional neighbours Part III: The Future of Australian Foreign Policy Debate Point: The world is becoming more hostile and Australia should increase its defence spending 12. Good International Citizenship 13. Australia and Climate Change Debate Point: Is Australia a climate change laggard rather than a climate change leader? Debate Point: The debate about asylum seekers proves that Australia is a frightened country 15. Religion and Foreign Policy

About the Author :
Dr Daniel Baldino is the Head of the Politics and International Relations Discipline at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle. His latest books are Spooked (2013) and the co-edited Contemporary Challenges to Australian Security (2012). He completed his PhD at the University of South Australia. He also has a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Business) and Masters in International Politics. Dr Andrew Carr is a Lecturer at the Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, at the Australian National University. He has published on Australian foreign policy and middle power theory. Dr Carr is an editor of the journal Security Challenges and the Centre of Gravity policy paper series.