Closing the Political Legitimacy Gap: The International Monetary Fund and Tax Reform, 1965-2005. This project investigates how the International Monetary Fund (IMF) can improve its poor success with tax reform programs in borrowing states. It does so by analysing the success and failure of IMF tax reform programs in 20 borrowing states with varied regional, political, and economic characteristics between 1965 and 2005. This research has national and community benefit for two reasons. First, Aust ....Closing the Political Legitimacy Gap: The International Monetary Fund and Tax Reform, 1965-2005. This project investigates how the International Monetary Fund (IMF) can improve its poor success with tax reform programs in borrowing states. It does so by analysing the success and failure of IMF tax reform programs in 20 borrowing states with varied regional, political, and economic characteristics between 1965 and 2005. This research has national and community benefit for two reasons. First, Australia has a close relationship with the IMF and an obligation to assist it with issues of global political and economic concern. Second, as problems with fiscal sustainability are strongly associated with international political and economic instability, Australia must develop its knowledge base on the politics of successful tax reform.Read moreRead less
The Theological and Ideological Bases of al-Qa'ida's Political Tactics. This research moves beyond the conventional view of Islam and generates new understandings of the many complexities of political Islam, and the role of violence and terrorism; explores the theological and ideological foundations of al-Qa'ida's political tactics; the long-term objectives beyond al-Qa'ida's terrorist activity. It conceptualizes Islamic activism within time and space and, by implication, facilitates the formula ....The Theological and Ideological Bases of al-Qa'ida's Political Tactics. This research moves beyond the conventional view of Islam and generates new understandings of the many complexities of political Islam, and the role of violence and terrorism; explores the theological and ideological foundations of al-Qa'ida's political tactics; the long-term objectives beyond al-Qa'ida's terrorist activity. It conceptualizes Islamic activism within time and space and, by implication, facilitates the formulation of relevant policy responses. As a result, this project contributes to security and counter terrorism works and falls squarely within the National Research Priority, Safeguarding Australia (Terrorism and Transnational Crime). Read moreRead less
Governance in a Shrinking, Fragmenting World. 'The End of Sovereignty?' was a well received study in which the applicants examined the need to reconceptualize the 'sovereign state' in a rapidly globalizing world. Ten years later, this new study builds on that foundation. Through careful sifting of the empirical evidence, it examines both the challenge of globalization for governance, and institutional and normative responses to that challenge. In doing so, it aims to develop a clearer interpreta ....Governance in a Shrinking, Fragmenting World. 'The End of Sovereignty?' was a well received study in which the applicants examined the need to reconceptualize the 'sovereign state' in a rapidly globalizing world. Ten years later, this new study builds on that foundation. Through careful sifting of the empirical evidence, it examines both the challenge of globalization for governance, and institutional and normative responses to that challenge. In doing so, it aims to develop a clearer interpretation of the dynamics of global social change in relation to the national state, and a framework of analysis which, with whatever qualifications prove necessary, takes us beyond the sovereignty discourse.Read moreRead less
Islamic Perceptions of Justice in International Relations. This research moves beyond the conventional view of Islam and the West dichotomy and explores the middle ground. It explores the potential for redressing Muslim grievances through the existing international system by examining the sources of these grievances. It contextualises Islamic activism within time and space and, by implication, facilitates the formulation of relevant policy responses. As a result, this project contributes to a de ....Islamic Perceptions of Justice in International Relations. This research moves beyond the conventional view of Islam and the West dichotomy and explores the middle ground. It explores the potential for redressing Muslim grievances through the existing international system by examining the sources of these grievances. It contextualises Islamic activism within time and space and, by implication, facilitates the formulation of relevant policy responses. As a result, this project contributes to a de-ideologised view of the Muslim experience and the building of bridges to cross the imagined schism between Islam and the West. Read moreRead less
An Early Warning Framework for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. Australia is an active participant in international efforts to prevent mass killing and rebuild wartorn societies, with missions deployed in Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. Australia is also a leading global advocate of the 'responsibility to protect'. The most important aspect of this doctrine is the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. By developing a framework to provide timely and accu ....An Early Warning Framework for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. Australia is an active participant in international efforts to prevent mass killing and rebuild wartorn societies, with missions deployed in Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. Australia is also a leading global advocate of the 'responsibility to protect'. The most important aspect of this doctrine is the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. By developing a framework to provide timely and accurate forewarning of the outbreak of genocide and mass atrocities, this project aims to fill an important gap in the policy toolkit and make a positive contribution to evidence based policy-making that will help Australia prioritise humanitarian emergencies and craft appropriate preventive strategies.Read moreRead less
The Global Governance of Tax and Financial Services: Who Regulates, Who Wins, Who Loses. This project analyses the role of power in the global economy, specifically, whether powerful states can establish global rules concerning tax and financial services by coercion. Large states working through international organisations have floated global tax and financial standards that would regulate international competition for mobile investment but also impose disproportionate costs on small states. If ....The Global Governance of Tax and Financial Services: Who Regulates, Who Wins, Who Loses. This project analyses the role of power in the global economy, specifically, whether powerful states can establish global rules concerning tax and financial services by coercion. Large states working through international organisations have floated global tax and financial standards that would regulate international competition for mobile investment but also impose disproportionate costs on small states. If coercion is cheap and easy to use in solving economic disputes large states will be able to impose these standards on small states. If not, large states will instead have to compromise or offer compensation to establish effective regulations.Read moreRead less
The Evolution of East Asian Regionalism. In the aftermath of the East Asian crisis of 1997, the countries of East Asia have embarked upon a self-consciously pursued project of political integration or regionalism. If successful, it will have profound implications for the region's internal and external relations, and future development. This project will examine how regionalism is evolving in this strategically pivotal area, detail the factors that are encouraging or obstructing this process, and ....The Evolution of East Asian Regionalism. In the aftermath of the East Asian crisis of 1997, the countries of East Asia have embarked upon a self-consciously pursued project of political integration or regionalism. If successful, it will have profound implications for the region's internal and external relations, and future development. This project will examine how regionalism is evolving in this strategically pivotal area, detail the factors that are encouraging or obstructing this process, and provide a more appropriate theoretical framework in which to understand East Asia's highly distinctive style of regional integration.Read moreRead less
New Concepts of Human Security and AIDS. This project recognises that the AIDS pandemic is a significant example of non-military threats to international security, and that different national responses to AIDS are a product of different political, economic and cultural factors. It seeks to explore the complex relationship between national, international and grass roots responses to HIV/AIDS, with some emphasis on those countries most significant to Australia's security needs. It seeks to use soc ....New Concepts of Human Security and AIDS. This project recognises that the AIDS pandemic is a significant example of non-military threats to international security, and that different national responses to AIDS are a product of different political, economic and cultural factors. It seeks to explore the complex relationship between national, international and grass roots responses to HIV/AIDS, with some emphasis on those countries most significant to Australia's security needs. It seeks to use social theory to illuminate practical issues facing HIV/AIDS advocacy at local, national and international levels, in particular how does one assure effective responses from all stakeholders.Read moreRead less
International Organizations and Legislative Oversight: Improving Governance in Asia and the Pacific. This project will provide a better understanding of what makes legislative oversight of government effective. It will study the success of specific oversight bodies, such as Public Account Committees and Audit Offices, to determine whether their success depends on how they are institutionalised, or rather, on the ethical standards of the individuals who are expected to perform the oversight tasks ....International Organizations and Legislative Oversight: Improving Governance in Asia and the Pacific. This project will provide a better understanding of what makes legislative oversight of government effective. It will study the success of specific oversight bodies, such as Public Account Committees and Audit Offices, to determine whether their success depends on how they are institutionalised, or rather, on the ethical standards of the individuals who are expected to perform the oversight tasks. This project will contribute to the strengthening of what are currently regarded as fragile states and create the conditions for the further consolidation of their democratic systems and for sustainable socio-economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.Read moreRead less
The ideological war within al-Qa'ida: The Jihadis' religio-political and intellectual revisions and ideas on counterterrorism, extremism and radicalisation. This research focuses on new directions in jihadist thought and practice. It generates a better grasp of the current ideological war within al-Qa'ida and explores its theo-political ideas which influenced al-Qa'ida's backbone Jihadi groups to renounce violence, abandon al-Qa'ida, and critically stressed wide disagreements with al-Qa'ida's id ....The ideological war within al-Qa'ida: The Jihadis' religio-political and intellectual revisions and ideas on counterterrorism, extremism and radicalisation. This research focuses on new directions in jihadist thought and practice. It generates a better grasp of the current ideological war within al-Qa'ida and explores its theo-political ideas which influenced al-Qa'ida's backbone Jihadi groups to renounce violence, abandon al-Qa'ida, and critically stressed wide disagreements with al-Qa'ida's ideological ideas. Utilising this thought as ideological tool to counterterrorism and radicalisation, this project contributes to national security and counterterrorism works and raises Australian understanding of Islam's place in the world, which is of importance given the large and growing Muslim community in Australia and the commitment to make Australia a tolerant, multicultural society.Read moreRead less