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
APEC, the WTO and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs): which way forward for Japan's agricultural trade liberalisation? Japan is an important market for Australian farm products, but high import barriers prevent the full potential of this market from being realised. Japan has consistently presented stiff opposition to agricultural trade liberalisation - in APEC, at the WTO, and in bilateral free trade negotiations. The project, by identifying which negotiating arena is most likely to deliver ....APEC, the WTO and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs): which way forward for Japan's agricultural trade liberalisation? Japan is an important market for Australian farm products, but high import barriers prevent the full potential of this market from being realised. Japan has consistently presented stiff opposition to agricultural trade liberalisation - in APEC, at the WTO, and in bilateral free trade negotiations. The project, by identifying which negotiating arena is most likely to deliver an agreement to liberalise agricultural trade, will contribute to the advancement of Australia's economic and trading interests. Improving access to the Japanese market for agricultural products in the context of a broader trade agreement will generate substantial dividends for Australian farmers as well as tangible benefits for the wider community.Read moreRead less
Industrial policy in the new economy: Public policy influences on small firm competitiveness in Australia and Denmark. This research aims to advance knowledge of industrial policy influences on the competitiveness of small firms in the new economy. Much existing knowledge of industrial policy has been derived from the experience of the post-war industrial economy. It is desirable to extend existing research to take account of the importance of small firms in the new economy. Small firms play a s ....Industrial policy in the new economy: Public policy influences on small firm competitiveness in Australia and Denmark. This research aims to advance knowledge of industrial policy influences on the competitiveness of small firms in the new economy. Much existing knowledge of industrial policy has been derived from the experience of the post-war industrial economy. It is desirable to extend existing research to take account of the importance of small firms in the new economy. Small firms play a significant role in new and emerging industries which are crucial to Australia's economic future. It is expected that the research will provide a basis for the development of improved public policy in support of small firm competitiveness in new economy industries.Read moreRead less
Agriculture, politics and trade: Understanding Japan's reform processes and prospects. Japan's continuing agricultural trade liberalisation is essential to Australia's future export prospects in Asia because Japan is Australia's largest export market for agricultural products. By assessing the nature and strength of key domestic factors encouraging reform of Japan's agricultural trade policy, the research will advance knowledge about an area of Japanese political economy that directly affects Au ....Agriculture, politics and trade: Understanding Japan's reform processes and prospects. Japan's continuing agricultural trade liberalisation is essential to Australia's future export prospects in Asia because Japan is Australia's largest export market for agricultural products. By assessing the nature and strength of key domestic factors encouraging reform of Japan's agricultural trade policy, the research will advance knowledge about an area of Japanese political economy that directly affects Australia's trade position and commercial policy. This knowledge will provide intellectual support to the design of current and future Australian multilateral and bilateral trade bargaining strategies at the World Trade Organization and in relation to the Australia-Japan Free Trade Agreement respectively. Read moreRead less
Changing political careers in Australia. The outcomes of the project include (i) contributions to our knowledge and understanding of sociopolitical change, especially in the area of elite formation and circulation; (ii) addressing the key theoretical issues in the area of elite theory and political professionalisation, this contribution to understanding of Australian politics, especially the recent changes in political recruitment and careers; and (iii) updating and extending the computerised ca ....Changing political careers in Australia. The outcomes of the project include (i) contributions to our knowledge and understanding of sociopolitical change, especially in the area of elite formation and circulation; (ii) addressing the key theoretical issues in the area of elite theory and political professionalisation, this contribution to understanding of Australian politics, especially the recent changes in political recruitment and careers; and (iii) updating and extending the computerised career register of the Australian federal parliamentarians.Read moreRead less
From Emergence to Demise: Examining the Dynamic Life Cycle of Terrorist Campaigns. Australia has made a long term commitment to the global campaign against terrorism, under the sound premise that it will take a persistent investment of energy and resources to succeed, and the notion that success in this struggle will be contingent on the depth of our knowledge about the nature of the threat. This project will contribute to this effort by enhancing global understanding of the different stages of ....From Emergence to Demise: Examining the Dynamic Life Cycle of Terrorist Campaigns. Australia has made a long term commitment to the global campaign against terrorism, under the sound premise that it will take a persistent investment of energy and resources to succeed, and the notion that success in this struggle will be contingent on the depth of our knowledge about the nature of the threat. This project will contribute to this effort by enhancing global understanding of the different stages of the dynamic life cycle of terrorist campaigns, and by formulating empirically based policy recommendations that will move beyond flawed quick-fix solutions, toward the building of a consistent long-term incremental strategy for managing a threat that will never fully disappear.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
Assessing the Nation's Infrastructure: The Role of Financial and Non-Financial Information. Presently governments do not disclose information about the condition of legacy infrastructure, and the extent of projected (often, non-discretionary) expenditure to repair or upgrade the functionality of those assets. This project builds on an analytical framework developed by Walker Clark & Dean (2000). It examines the viability of alternative proposals for providing information to external stakeholders ....Assessing the Nation's Infrastructure: The Role of Financial and Non-Financial Information. Presently governments do not disclose information about the condition of legacy infrastructure, and the extent of projected (often, non-discretionary) expenditure to repair or upgrade the functionality of those assets. This project builds on an analytical framework developed by Walker Clark & Dean (2000). It examines the viability of alternative proposals for providing information to external stakeholders, on either an agency or ?whole of government? basis. Using a combination of case studies and stated preference data, the study seeks to derive an optimal reporting framework which can assist governments better measure and more effectively manage the nation's infrastructure.Read moreRead less
Government Finance Statistics versus Accrual Accounting Standards as the Basis for Financial Reporting and Budgeting on the Operating, Financing and Investing Performance of Governments. More than one third of our economic activity is subject to public expenditure management processes. However, recent decisions of the FRC to harmonize GFS and AASs will fundamentally reshape public sector financial reporting. Harmonization has certain benefits, but the proposal warrants careful consideration as ....Government Finance Statistics versus Accrual Accounting Standards as the Basis for Financial Reporting and Budgeting on the Operating, Financing and Investing Performance of Governments. More than one third of our economic activity is subject to public expenditure management processes. However, recent decisions of the FRC to harmonize GFS and AASs will fundamentally reshape public sector financial reporting. Harmonization has certain benefits, but the proposal warrants careful consideration as it is unclear whether a converged GFS system will better service the needs of the community and enhance public sector accountability more generally. Focusing on the heterogeneous information needs of key stakeholder groups, this study will provide one of the first pioneering empirical investigations of alternative GFS methods and practices in Australia.Read moreRead less
Theory and action for opposing political repression. Political repression, such as surveillance, arrests, torture and killings, sometimes rebounds against the represser in a process called "political jiu-jitsu." The aim of this project is to investigate and reformulate the concept of political jiu-jitsu in order to understand its core components and extend its applicability. To test the theory, twelve case studies will be drawn from the areas of the technology of repression, covert operations, c ....Theory and action for opposing political repression. Political repression, such as surveillance, arrests, torture and killings, sometimes rebounds against the represser in a process called "political jiu-jitsu." The aim of this project is to investigate and reformulate the concept of political jiu-jitsu in order to understand its core components and extend its applicability. To test the theory, twelve case studies will be drawn from the areas of the technology of repression, covert operations, cyberactivism and organisational struggles.Read moreRead less