Love narratives in contemporary German literature since 1990. This study of love in contemporary German literature will lead to deeper insights into intimacy in one of our major European trading partners, as it undergoes a period of economic uncertainty and social change. It will enhance our understanding of the varied ways in which individuals, as well as national literatures in the western tradition, respond to the challenges of globalization. Through examining the semantics of modern love and ....Love narratives in contemporary German literature since 1990. This study of love in contemporary German literature will lead to deeper insights into intimacy in one of our major European trading partners, as it undergoes a period of economic uncertainty and social change. It will enhance our understanding of the varied ways in which individuals, as well as national literatures in the western tradition, respond to the challenges of globalization. Through examining the semantics of modern love and what love means to different sections of society (friendship, passion, marriage, sex etc.) in a contemporary European culture that bears many similarities to our own, this project will bring benefits to Australians' understanding of how the meaning of love evolves over time. Read moreRead less
From Migrant to Worker: New Transnational Responses to Temporary Labour Migration in East and Southeast Asia. This project compares the nature and impact of civil society initiatives concerning temporary labour migration in Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It provides a model for understanding NGO-union cooperation on migrant labour issues, useful not only in East and Southeast Asia, where foreign workers - and foreign workers' rights - are already matters of serious concern, bu ....From Migrant to Worker: New Transnational Responses to Temporary Labour Migration in East and Southeast Asia. This project compares the nature and impact of civil society initiatives concerning temporary labour migration in Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It provides a model for understanding NGO-union cooperation on migrant labour issues, useful not only in East and Southeast Asia, where foreign workers - and foreign workers' rights - are already matters of serious concern, but in countries like Australia, where skills shortages and ageing populations are increasing pressure on governments to allow large-scale temporary foreign labour. The project's findings will assist government agencies and local and transnational civil society groups to respond more effectively to temporary labour migration.Read moreRead less
Re-Writing the Nation: The Politics of Indonesian History since Suharto. In Indonesia's New Order era under President Suharto, history served a direct propaganda role in state ideology. As yet no replacement state ideology has been formulated by the three subsequent governments. In the absence of a clear direction for the state, Islamic, nationalist and other groups jockey for power. By examining the politics of historical debates in Indonesia since 1998, this project analyses processes by which ....Re-Writing the Nation: The Politics of Indonesian History since Suharto. In Indonesia's New Order era under President Suharto, history served a direct propaganda role in state ideology. As yet no replacement state ideology has been formulated by the three subsequent governments. In the absence of a clear direction for the state, Islamic, nationalist and other groups jockey for power. By examining the politics of historical debates in Indonesia since 1998, this project analyses processes by which political legitimacy is being reshaped by the contending groups in Indonesia. The project will advance the understanding both of the public uses of history and of the unstable nature of Indonesian political discourse.Read moreRead less
Trans/national activism: Organizing for Domestic Worker Rights in Southeast Asia. This project will contribute to the identified national priority, Safeguarding Australia, by providing a better understanding of the issues surrounding labour migration, including the capacity of NGOs and state governments to address the needs and rights of labour migrants in Southeast Asia. By expanding our understanding of the possibilities for democratisation within the region and contributing to theoretical dev ....Trans/national activism: Organizing for Domestic Worker Rights in Southeast Asia. This project will contribute to the identified national priority, Safeguarding Australia, by providing a better understanding of the issues surrounding labour migration, including the capacity of NGOs and state governments to address the needs and rights of labour migrants in Southeast Asia. By expanding our understanding of the possibilities for democratisation within the region and contributing to theoretical developments on the relationship between state and civil society, this research will also contribute to the national interest in influencing institutional reform and democratic transition in Asia. Read moreRead less
Globalization and New Wars: The War in Chechnya. Identifying the causes of conflict has practical applications for Australian security policy formulation, since an area of instability exists within our region. A finding that causes of war arise either from complex domestic political struggles, or processes of globalization, has implications for which strategic posture Australia should adopt in responding to crises. The project falls within Research Priority 4: 'Safeguarding Australia'. By addres ....Globalization and New Wars: The War in Chechnya. Identifying the causes of conflict has practical applications for Australian security policy formulation, since an area of instability exists within our region. A finding that causes of war arise either from complex domestic political struggles, or processes of globalization, has implications for which strategic posture Australia should adopt in responding to crises. The project falls within Research Priority 4: 'Safeguarding Australia'. By addressing the need to better understand causes of war, it assists Australian policymakers to better understand and manage potential threats. Greater knowledge of war likewise assists defence policy planners to maintain an operational advantage for Australia's defence forces.Read moreRead less
Systemic Corruption and Regime Change: State, Business and Political Elites in Indonesia and Implications for Governance Reform. The development of a stable, prosperous and democratic Indonesia is fundamental to Australia's long-term security. Systemic corruption has been identified as a fundamental impediment to such development and the Australian Government through AUSAID funds institutional reform programs. Yet formal law remains ineffective and corruption has continued to flourish, pointing ....Systemic Corruption and Regime Change: State, Business and Political Elites in Indonesia and Implications for Governance Reform. The development of a stable, prosperous and democratic Indonesia is fundamental to Australia's long-term security. Systemic corruption has been identified as a fundamental impediment to such development and the Australian Government through AUSAID funds institutional reform programs. Yet formal law remains ineffective and corruption has continued to flourish, pointing to weaknesses of policy design. This project will explain how competing political elites systematically use the leverage of the state to redistribute resources within business and society and seek to identify the formal and informal rules that underpin such behaviour. Outcomes will be better models and more effective governance reforms.Read moreRead less
Immigration, technology and literacy: key challenges for language policy in a changing Japan. Australia needs a sophisticated understanding of social and cultural dynamics in a regional partner with whom we have substantial economic, political and cultural relations. This project will problematise current language policy in Japan to take account of important recent areas of social transformation and associated key cultural beliefs about language. It will produce a body of significant individual ....Immigration, technology and literacy: key challenges for language policy in a changing Japan. Australia needs a sophisticated understanding of social and cultural dynamics in a regional partner with whom we have substantial economic, political and cultural relations. This project will problematise current language policy in Japan to take account of important recent areas of social transformation and associated key cultural beliefs about language. It will produce a body of significant individual research and policy recommendations; will bring together high profile international researchers and Japanese policy makers and educators in two collaborative exercises which will strengthen links between the two countries at both academic and government levels; and will launch the research career of a postgraduate student. Read moreRead less
Burma's Role in Shaping the Asia-Pacific Strategic Environment. Australia is an active participant in global security affairs, not only as a close ally of the United States but also as an independent middle power with its own perceived sphere of influence. Developments in the strategic environment and the way in which countries attempt to influence state behaviours are central to our national security posture and alliance relationships. Also, the diverse security challenges in the Asia-Pacific r ....Burma's Role in Shaping the Asia-Pacific Strategic Environment. Australia is an active participant in global security affairs, not only as a close ally of the United States but also as an independent middle power with its own perceived sphere of influence. Developments in the strategic environment and the way in which countries attempt to influence state behaviours are central to our national security posture and alliance relationships. Also, the diverse security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, such as those associated with so-called 'pariah' states like Burma, and the management of related transnational threats, are critical to the formulation and implementation of Australia's foreign and defence policies.
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Representation and Political Regimes in Southeast Asia. Comprehending drivers and directions of political regimes in Southeast Asia is urgently needed as the global financial crisis and climate change pose new challenges for Australia's regional engagement. Aid strategies to support and promote preferred political and other governance institutions will be enhanced by knowledge of the conflicts and alliances over political representation. Specific coalitions functional for democratic institutions ....Representation and Political Regimes in Southeast Asia. Comprehending drivers and directions of political regimes in Southeast Asia is urgently needed as the global financial crisis and climate change pose new challenges for Australia's regional engagement. Aid strategies to support and promote preferred political and other governance institutions will be enhanced by knowledge of the conflicts and alliances over political representation. Specific coalitions functional for democratic institutions in particular would become clearer. Business interests in trade and investment will benefit from understanding the nature and extent of conflicts over representation and their potential or otherwise to result in trade protectionism and affect political stability.Read moreRead less
Brokering Democracy: United States Policy toward Chile from Nixon to Bush Sr. (September 1973-December 1989). Australia's capacity to interpret and engage its regional and global environment is more dependent on thorough anaysis of American foreign policy than ever before. Distinguishing between US and Ausralian national interests is vital to avoid making commitments that prove harmful to Australia's best interests and its international standing. The way in which the US resolved the tensions bee ....Brokering Democracy: United States Policy toward Chile from Nixon to Bush Sr. (September 1973-December 1989). Australia's capacity to interpret and engage its regional and global environment is more dependent on thorough anaysis of American foreign policy than ever before. Distinguishing between US and Ausralian national interests is vital to avoid making commitments that prove harmful to Australia's best interests and its international standing. The way in which the US resolved the tensions been national interest and democracy promotion in Chile provides a key reference point for subsequent US interventions in the Third World up to the present. Public discussion about contemporary US foreign policy will be encouraged via newspaper articles, media interviews, and a companion website to the monographRead moreRead less