Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354600
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Sources of Insecurity: Local, National and Global. Globalizing violence and the War on Terror have brought with them an acute sense of insecurity. The present study is intended to map and understand sources of that insecurity, both from ?below? and ?above?. From below, the project analyses the cultural-political and socio-economic conditions of violence on the ground, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. From above, it documents Western representations of recent arenas of violence. The aim of th ....Sources of Insecurity: Local, National and Global. Globalizing violence and the War on Terror have brought with them an acute sense of insecurity. The present study is intended to map and understand sources of that insecurity, both from ?below? and ?above?. From below, the project analyses the cultural-political and socio-economic conditions of violence on the ground, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. From above, it documents Western representations of recent arenas of violence. The aim of the project is to research the commonplace claim that it is reassertions of older forms of traditionalism or cultural and civilizational difference that are the well-spring of contemporary global violence, including terrorism.Read moreRead less
The Origins and Development of Islamic Terrorist Behaviour in Indonesia. This project has relevance for scholars, policy-makers and the broader community in understanding the causes and dynamics of terrorism in Indonesia. It will advance the scholarly debate about terrorist motivations and the relative importance of international and local factors. Its findings will be of direct relevance for the government in helping shape counter-terrorism and foreign aid policies. Against a background of c ....The Origins and Development of Islamic Terrorist Behaviour in Indonesia. This project has relevance for scholars, policy-makers and the broader community in understanding the causes and dynamics of terrorism in Indonesia. It will advance the scholarly debate about terrorist motivations and the relative importance of international and local factors. Its findings will be of direct relevance for the government in helping shape counter-terrorism and foreign aid policies. Against a background of continuing high public and media interest in terrorism, this project will make available information and analysis which contribute to informed discussion. Finally, this study will help to enhance Australia's reputation for expertise on terrorism and Islamic radicalism in our region.Read moreRead less
New Environmental Policy Instruments and Government-Industry Strategies in Queensland. This study will examine the hypothesized benefits of environmental policy instruments such as voluntary agreements, taxes and incentives, which augment or supplant traditional regulatory approaches. It will focus on a State experiencing economic prosperity by exporting resources, and designing new institutional responses to the challenges of creating a sustainable society. The anticipated outcomes are to pro ....New Environmental Policy Instruments and Government-Industry Strategies in Queensland. This study will examine the hypothesized benefits of environmental policy instruments such as voluntary agreements, taxes and incentives, which augment or supplant traditional regulatory approaches. It will focus on a State experiencing economic prosperity by exporting resources, and designing new institutional responses to the challenges of creating a sustainable society. The anticipated outcomes are to provide research perspectives to central State government agencies that offer strategic policy advice and coordination, and concepts for understanding and influencing changes aimed at balancing the imperatives for economic development and environmental protection as well as redefining the relationship between government and industry.Read moreRead less
RELIGION, POWER AND CRISIS IN INDONESIA AND THAILAND: Islamic and Buddhist Responses to Globalising Markets and Cultures. Religion has been central to state power in Indonesia (Islam) and Thailand (Buddhism), both historically and throughout recent dramatic shifts in economic and political circumstances. This study examines how institutional and popular religious movements now relate to political authority in Southeast Asia's economically and strategically most important countries. It will ana ....RELIGION, POWER AND CRISIS IN INDONESIA AND THAILAND: Islamic and Buddhist Responses to Globalising Markets and Cultures. Religion has been central to state power in Indonesia (Islam) and Thailand (Buddhism), both historically and throughout recent dramatic shifts in economic and political circumstances. This study examines how institutional and popular religious movements now relate to political authority in Southeast Asia's economically and strategically most important countries. It will analyse: (1) comparative Islamic and Buddhist fundamentalisms; (2) democratisation and changing patterns of state influence on religion; and (3) marketisation, mass media and religion as popular culture, thereby filling major gaps in the globalisation literature and transcending the limitations of single-country studies of Southeast Asian regional affairs.Read moreRead less
Slicing India: a new perspective for understanding contemporary India. This project exploits techniques of slice history, pioneered in AUSTRALIANS: A HISTORICAL LIBRARY. Using the 12-yearly religious festival, the Kumbh Mela, to define its slice years, the study compares over time the extent to which men and women were involved with, or divorced from, the ideas of an Indian nation, political decision-making and institutions, religious practices, a wider economy and the ecology of their dwelling ....Slicing India: a new perspective for understanding contemporary India. This project exploits techniques of slice history, pioneered in AUSTRALIANS: A HISTORICAL LIBRARY. Using the 12-yearly religious festival, the Kumbh Mela, to define its slice years, the study compares over time the extent to which men and women were involved with, or divorced from, the ideas of an Indian nation, political decision-making and institutions, religious practices, a wider economy and the ecology of their dwelling places. The Project aims to identify neglected aspects of politics and society in modern India and thus sharpen understanding of India's current condition and potential.Read moreRead less
New Methods for Researching the Existence and Impact of Political Networks on the WWW. Web mining and data visualisation technologies will be employed in a new methodology for the study of online networks built by organisations (or any entity). The methodology will provide insights into the online networking behaviour of Australian political parties, producing information on how extensively parties are using the Web to connect with other groups, which parties use it most effectively and whether ....New Methods for Researching the Existence and Impact of Political Networks on the WWW. Web mining and data visualisation technologies will be employed in a new methodology for the study of online networks built by organisations (or any entity). The methodology will provide insights into the online networking behaviour of Australian political parties, producing information on how extensively parties are using the Web to connect with other groups, which parties use it most effectively and whether they form online political ?communities?. The methodology will be embodied in an integrated software package that will be of use to researchers in academia, government and business, and hence of significant commercial potential.Read moreRead less
Infectious diseases, security and ethics. This project will benefit the nation directly by promoting greater understanding within the community of the national security and ethical implications of infectious disease threats; recommending policies for responding in ways that achieve better public health, national security and human rights outcomes for Australians; helping to strengthen Australia's social and economic fabric; and creating national and international linkages between academics, PhD ....Infectious diseases, security and ethics. This project will benefit the nation directly by promoting greater understanding within the community of the national security and ethical implications of infectious disease threats; recommending policies for responding in ways that achieve better public health, national security and human rights outcomes for Australians; helping to strengthen Australia's social and economic fabric; and creating national and international linkages between academics, PhD students and non-academic professionals.Read moreRead less
Indonesian Democracy: The Politics of Failed Reform and Regime Viability. Despite high hopes following the fall of Indonesia's authoritarian regime, political reform has been limited. The project examines the reasons for slow progress. Among the areas to be studied are constitutional and electoral reform, military reform, judicial reform, decentralisation, preservation of order and economic reform. It will argue that the weakness of the state in carrying out reforms is largely due to the penetra ....Indonesian Democracy: The Politics of Failed Reform and Regime Viability. Despite high hopes following the fall of Indonesia's authoritarian regime, political reform has been limited. The project examines the reasons for slow progress. Among the areas to be studied are constitutional and electoral reform, military reform, judicial reform, decentralisation, preservation of order and economic reform. It will argue that the weakness of the state in carrying out reforms is largely due to the penetration of the state itself by vested interests. Limited reforms have only been implemented when the viability of the regime itself has been at stake. This research is significant for Indonesian politics and political theory.Read moreRead less
Responding to Globalization: Firms, the State and Upgrading in the Automotive Industry on the Western Pacific Rim. The automotive industry is arguably still the most important manufacturing sector in the world economy. It is one of the most 'globalized' of industrial sectors, whether considered in terms of geographical dispersion of production or of trade. In Australia, the turnover of the auto industry is around $17 billions per year. It employs more than 50,000 people. Like other auto industri ....Responding to Globalization: Firms, the State and Upgrading in the Automotive Industry on the Western Pacific Rim. The automotive industry is arguably still the most important manufacturing sector in the world economy. It is one of the most 'globalized' of industrial sectors, whether considered in terms of geographical dispersion of production or of trade. In Australia, the turnover of the auto industry is around $17 billions per year. It employs more than 50,000 people. Like other auto industries around the region, that in Australia must adjust to several rapidly changing contexts driven by technological developments, industry consolidation, and new trade regimes. This project will provide a better understanding of the forces driving change, and of the range of possible policy responses available to firms and governments.Read moreRead less