The end of Westphalia? Re-envisioning Sovereignty. This initial project aims to undertake a systematic re-evaluation of state sovereignty. In doing so, we seek to reconceptualise the meaning of sovereignty, how that meaning has changed over time according to a variety of historical conditions, and the implications of this for traditional Westphalian conceptions during a time when state authority is increasingly challenged by an array of new actors. The broader project will then build on the new ....The end of Westphalia? Re-envisioning Sovereignty. This initial project aims to undertake a systematic re-evaluation of state sovereignty. In doing so, we seek to reconceptualise the meaning of sovereignty, how that meaning has changed over time according to a variety of historical conditions, and the implications of this for traditional Westphalian conceptions during a time when state authority is increasingly challenged by an array of new actors. The broader project will then build on the new possibilities for the evolution of sovereignty, first by suggesting necessary changes to existing legal and political institutions, and secondly by offering practical policy recommendations for states.Read moreRead less
The Future of Oceans Governance in Polar Areas. Australia has a compelling national interest in maintaining its sovereignty and security in the Antarctic. Australian government goals include maintaining the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS); enhancing Australia's influence within the system; protecting the Antarctic environment; understanding the role of Antarctica in the global climate system; and undertaking scientific work of practical, economic and national significance. This project directly ad ....The Future of Oceans Governance in Polar Areas. Australia has a compelling national interest in maintaining its sovereignty and security in the Antarctic. Australian government goals include maintaining the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS); enhancing Australia's influence within the system; protecting the Antarctic environment; understanding the role of Antarctica in the global climate system; and undertaking scientific work of practical, economic and national significance. This project directly addresses national research priorities through analysis of oceans governance issues that centre on Australian interests. This project will also contribute to national benefit by focusing on issues central to the International Polar Year.Read moreRead less
Comparative Border Studies. While borders are of increasing interest to Australian scholars and policy-makers, much existing research in Australia is focused on issues of border security or border integrity. There is an urgent need to supplement this work with theoretical and empirical insights drawn from the field of border studies. North America is a key site for international research in this field. Collaboration with North American scholars is thus an important step in developing and expandi ....Comparative Border Studies. While borders are of increasing interest to Australian scholars and policy-makers, much existing research in Australia is focused on issues of border security or border integrity. There is an urgent need to supplement this work with theoretical and empirical insights drawn from the field of border studies. North America is a key site for international research in this field. Collaboration with North American scholars is thus an important step in developing and expanding Australian expertise in border studies. This project will provide the intellectual environment and collaborative networks necessary to establish the first dedicated Centre for Border Studies in Australia.Read moreRead less
China and Latin America: New Challenges and Opportunities for Australia. This project examines the growing international influence and strength of one of Australia's most strategically important neighbours, the People's Republic of China. Emerging commercial and diplomatic alliances between China and Latin America pose economic and political challenges for Australia and other resource exporters. This research consolidates Australia's reputation as a leader in the field of China Studies by clarif ....China and Latin America: New Challenges and Opportunities for Australia. This project examines the growing international influence and strength of one of Australia's most strategically important neighbours, the People's Republic of China. Emerging commercial and diplomatic alliances between China and Latin America pose economic and political challenges for Australia and other resource exporters. This research consolidates Australia's reputation as a leader in the field of China Studies by clarifying the nature of these challenges over the next five to ten years. The project will produce academic seminars in Sydney, Guadalajara, and Monterrey; the exchange of Australian and Mexican scholars, and joint publications in a field of study that bears direct relevance to the national interests of both countries.Read moreRead less
International interventions: ethical, legal and political issues. The project is the first stage of a larger study in partnership with Canadian researchers. The pilot will develop case studies showing the political, ethical and legal issues currently influencing intervention within other States for peacekeeping, peacemaking or humanitarian reasons. There is currently no internationally agreed legal, ethical or political code underlying such decisions to intervene. Humanitarian disasters are like ....International interventions: ethical, legal and political issues. The project is the first stage of a larger study in partnership with Canadian researchers. The pilot will develop case studies showing the political, ethical and legal issues currently influencing intervention within other States for peacekeeping, peacemaking or humanitarian reasons. There is currently no internationally agreed legal, ethical or political code underlying such decisions to intervene. Humanitarian disasters are likely to increase with the proliferation of new states and re-emergence of ethnic and religious intolerance. Australia's defence policy recognises that peacekeeping is a significant function for our armed forces. Australia should influence thinking on when the international community should act.Read moreRead less
Towards a Virtual Enterprise Framework for Effective Business Process Outsourcing. With the advent of the Internet, Virtual Enterprises (VEs) are breaking down geographical barriers of nations, enabling the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) of corporate business activities. The primary objective of this project is to leverage international expertise in Australia and Japan to develop a VE framework for effective BPO by studying the effect of evolving virtual team coordination techniques under al ....Towards a Virtual Enterprise Framework for Effective Business Process Outsourcing. With the advent of the Internet, Virtual Enterprises (VEs) are breaking down geographical barriers of nations, enabling the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) of corporate business activities. The primary objective of this project is to leverage international expertise in Australia and Japan to develop a VE framework for effective BPO by studying the effect of evolving virtual team coordination techniques under alternative VE orderings. An organising framework for VEs will provide the ideal structure for high technology Australian firms to compete globally by drawing on entrepreneurial and knowledge capital of technologically advanced nations, whilst sustaining and maximising their own domestic array of skills and capabilities through an efficient vertical international division of labour.Read moreRead less
Crafting Authoritarian Politics. Although Russia is nominally a democracy, strong elements of authoritarianism remain dominant. This project examines how Russia has accommodated these authoritarian themes within a representative democracy and, more generally, seeks to shed new light on the process of democratization in postcommunist societies. Russia is the 8th largest country in the world by population and the 11th largest economy based on GDP; it also remains nuclear-armed. Understanding th ....Crafting Authoritarian Politics. Although Russia is nominally a democracy, strong elements of authoritarianism remain dominant. This project examines how Russia has accommodated these authoritarian themes within a representative democracy and, more generally, seeks to shed new light on the process of democratization in postcommunist societies. Russia is the 8th largest country in the world by population and the 11th largest economy based on GDP; it also remains nuclear-armed. Understanding the dynamics of democratization in Russia has implications for political stability across a large section of the world which is currently in transition from authoritarianism to democracy.Read moreRead less
Japan, Australia and the Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) Fishery: Social and Political Perspectives. In 1999 negotiations over the annual tonnage of the SBT fishery allocated to Japan broke down over disagreements about how much fishing effort SBT stocks could survive. Australia resorted to the international legal system and, although Australia eventually accepted Japan's position, bilateral relations have remained troubled over SBT. Australian public perceptions of the fishery tend to be hostile, e ....Japan, Australia and the Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) Fishery: Social and Political Perspectives. In 1999 negotiations over the annual tonnage of the SBT fishery allocated to Japan broke down over disagreements about how much fishing effort SBT stocks could survive. Australia resorted to the international legal system and, although Australia eventually accepted Japan's position, bilateral relations have remained troubled over SBT. Australian public perceptions of the fishery tend to be hostile, especially towards the Japanese side. IN order to achieve a balance between economics and sustainability, fisheries must be managed, and management may be hampered by social and political problems. This project provides social science research to facilitate effective management of SBT.Read moreRead less
Financial Instability and Risk Management: New Statistical Treatment of the Occurrence and Persistence of Shocks in International Markets. Global economies are complex systems: their complexity is increasing due to market connectivity, borderless trading and rapid electronic transactions. This collaboration will improve understanding of market interdependence, important because of its profound macroeconomic influence on individual consumersf decisions and corporate investment. A novel combinati ....Financial Instability and Risk Management: New Statistical Treatment of the Occurrence and Persistence of Shocks in International Markets. Global economies are complex systems: their complexity is increasing due to market connectivity, borderless trading and rapid electronic transactions. This collaboration will improve understanding of market interdependence, important because of its profound macroeconomic influence on individual consumersf decisions and corporate investment. A novel combination of nonlinear time series and dynamical systems theories will be used to describe propagation and persistence of market shocks. Focusing on smart information use and innovation economies, this project will deliver publications on new practical econometric methodologies, training for early career researchers, and a strong sustainable research relationship between Australia and France.Read moreRead less
Cultures of Trade in the Indian Ocean. A decline in cultural understandings in the IO is threatening trade opportunities. 'Value', accordingly, must be understood both in economic and cultural terms. Another outcome of this collaboration will be an analysis of the ways in which current regional security issues are being posed, and it is essential to have an international network of scholars to provide an appropriate comparative perspective. By giving us a clearer understanding of the impact of c ....Cultures of Trade in the Indian Ocean. A decline in cultural understandings in the IO is threatening trade opportunities. 'Value', accordingly, must be understood both in economic and cultural terms. Another outcome of this collaboration will be an analysis of the ways in which current regional security issues are being posed, and it is essential to have an international network of scholars to provide an appropriate comparative perspective. By giving us a clearer understanding of the impact of culture on commercial relations and of Australia's place in the Indian Ocean Region, the project will help Australia to build strong, peaceful and mutually beneficial relations with its neighbours.Read moreRead less