Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354865
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Pacific Futures Network: Security, Governance and Development in the Pacific Islands Region. The proposed research network will interweave the following strands in order to create an entirely new level and quality of diagnosis, prognosis and action in Pacific-oriented research: (a) ANU and Australian expertise and knowledge base; (b) regional expertise, especially in universities, research institutes, archives and cultural institutions; (c) digital expertise; (d) existing networking capacity and ....Pacific Futures Network: Security, Governance and Development in the Pacific Islands Region. The proposed research network will interweave the following strands in order to create an entirely new level and quality of diagnosis, prognosis and action in Pacific-oriented research: (a) ANU and Australian expertise and knowledge base; (b) regional expertise, especially in universities, research institutes, archives and cultural institutions; (c) digital expertise; (d) existing networking capacity and future potential. Thematically, it will place primary emphasis on research on conventional and human security, governance, development and other issues pertaining to the condition of the polities and economies of Australia's near Pacific neighbours, including the Melanesian states characterised as 'weak' and more recently, 'failed'.Read moreRead less
The political economy of preferential trade in the Western Asia Pacific region. This study will undertake the first systematic, theoretically-informed comparative analysis of the origins, evolution and effects of the new preferential trade agreements (PTAs) in which at least one of the parties is an economy on the Western Pacific Rim. It will provide a significant geographical extension of the knowledge base regarding the origins and effects of PTAs, and contribute to the testing of hypotheses ....The political economy of preferential trade in the Western Asia Pacific region. This study will undertake the first systematic, theoretically-informed comparative analysis of the origins, evolution and effects of the new preferential trade agreements (PTAs) in which at least one of the parties is an economy on the Western Pacific Rim. It will provide a significant geographical extension of the knowledge base regarding the origins and effects of PTAs, and contribute to the testing of hypotheses and development of theory regarding this important recent departure in commercial diplomacy. It will generate a single-authored book and a series of journal articles.Read moreRead less
Democratization, Institutional Reform and Ethnic Politics in the Asia-Pacific. The democratisation of the Asia-Pacific has significant implications for Australia. Consolidated democracies are better able to manage internal conflicts, and less likely to pose a threat to their neighbours via arms trafficking, refugee flows, and transnational terrorism. However, the initial transitional period of democratisation can be highly fraught, and many of the new democracies of the Asia-Pacific are fragile, ....Democratization, Institutional Reform and Ethnic Politics in the Asia-Pacific. The democratisation of the Asia-Pacific has significant implications for Australia. Consolidated democracies are better able to manage internal conflicts, and less likely to pose a threat to their neighbours via arms trafficking, refugee flows, and transnational terrorism. However, the initial transitional period of democratisation can be highly fraught, and many of the new democracies of the Asia-Pacific are fragile, beset by internal cleavages and conflicts. If ways can be found to manage ethnic and other cleavages within a democratic framework, the prospects for peaceful and stable governance in the region will be significantly enhanced. This has the potential to transform the security of the region and Australia's relations with it.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
Understanding the World: Domei Tsushin (United News Agency), the Japanese State and International Politics 1936 - 52. Domei tsushin (United News Agency) was arguably the most important source of overseas events for the Japanese public during the war time. A rigorous scholarly examination, however, has been yet to come. Using new materials, this project will first examine Domei's role and its relations with the state during the war, and assesses its over all impact in international politics. ....Understanding the World: Domei Tsushin (United News Agency), the Japanese State and International Politics 1936 - 52. Domei tsushin (United News Agency) was arguably the most important source of overseas events for the Japanese public during the war time. A rigorous scholarly examination, however, has been yet to come. Using new materials, this project will first examine Domei's role and its relations with the state during the war, and assesses its over all impact in international politics. Secondly, it will explore how its role, structure and relations with the state and the public changed (or unchanged) in the post-war peace time. I intend to produce a book manuscript at the end of the project.Read moreRead less
Building Democracy and Justice after Conflict. Weak governance is a cause of terrorism. Australia is increasingly involved in nation-building projects, both in its region and internationally. This project will build Australia's expertise in the ways that international law can promote democracy and justice after conflict. It will develop guidelines for states and organisations involved in peace and nation-building. The project will thus contribute to safeguarding Australia by increasing Austra ....Building Democracy and Justice after Conflict. Weak governance is a cause of terrorism. Australia is increasingly involved in nation-building projects, both in its region and internationally. This project will build Australia's expertise in the ways that international law can promote democracy and justice after conflict. It will develop guidelines for states and organisations involved in peace and nation-building. The project will thus contribute to safeguarding Australia by increasing Australia's capacity to engage with, and interpret itself to, its neighbours and the broader international community, as well as by tackling the threat of terrorism.Read moreRead less
A Study of the Fulbright Program in Australia 1949-2009. This history of the Fulbright Program of educational exchange between Australia and the USA will explore a significant and undervalued aspect of the post-war relationship between the two countries. It will enhance our understanding of the sources of innovative ideas and their transfer, by investigating whether the 2600 Australian Fulbright scholars since 1949 were influential in re-orienting local research practice and public policy initia ....A Study of the Fulbright Program in Australia 1949-2009. This history of the Fulbright Program of educational exchange between Australia and the USA will explore a significant and undervalued aspect of the post-war relationship between the two countries. It will enhance our understanding of the sources of innovative ideas and their transfer, by investigating whether the 2600 Australian Fulbright scholars since 1949 were influential in re-orienting local research practice and public policy initiatives along US models. It will broaden awareness of the Fulbright Program's place in the Australian experience of globalisation, and contribute to a critical understanding of cultural diplomacy as a key feature of foreign policy.Read moreRead less
Building Democracy and Justice after Conflict. Weak governance is a cause of terrorism. Australia is increasingly involved in nation-building projects, both in its region and internationally. This project will build Australia's expertise in the ways that international law can promote democracy and justice after conflict. It will develop guidelines for states and organisations involved in peace and nation-building. The project will thus contribute to safeguarding Australia by increasing Austra ....Building Democracy and Justice after Conflict. Weak governance is a cause of terrorism. Australia is increasingly involved in nation-building projects, both in its region and internationally. This project will build Australia's expertise in the ways that international law can promote democracy and justice after conflict. It will develop guidelines for states and organisations involved in peace and nation-building. The project will thus contribute to safeguarding Australia by increasing Australia's capacity to engage with, and interpret itself to, its neighbours and the broader international community, as well as by tackling the threat of terrorism.Read moreRead less
Introducing China: The World's Oldest and Newest Major Power. China's weight in regional affairs is growing rapidly on all fronts, and will continue to do so into the indefinite future. China will be the largest single source of dynamism and turbulence in our region. Australia's political and business leaders will be confronted with decisions and choices with significant ramifications for our well-being into the longer term future. A deeper understanding of China's aspirations, and of the impa ....Introducing China: The World's Oldest and Newest Major Power. China's weight in regional affairs is growing rapidly on all fronts, and will continue to do so into the indefinite future. China will be the largest single source of dynamism and turbulence in our region. Australia's political and business leaders will be confronted with decisions and choices with significant ramifications for our well-being into the longer term future. A deeper understanding of China's aspirations, and of the impact that China is having on the outlook of others in the region, will improve the odds for sensible decisions and choices. It may also be the key to avoiding choices that we do not wish to make.Read moreRead less
HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF WORLD POLITICS. Rights politics played a central role in the international changes that occurred at Westphalia (1648), in the Age of Revolutions (1776-1848), with decolonisation (1950s-1960s), and in the aftermath of the Cold War. Yet the literature on human rights and international relations has failed to consider the impact of rights politics over the longue duree. This project systematically examines how, and to what extent, rights politics has transform ....HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF WORLD POLITICS. Rights politics played a central role in the international changes that occurred at Westphalia (1648), in the Age of Revolutions (1776-1848), with decolonisation (1950s-1960s), and in the aftermath of the Cold War. Yet the literature on human rights and international relations has failed to consider the impact of rights politics over the longue duree. This project systematically examines how, and to what extent, rights politics has transformed the international system since the seventeenth century to the present era. It will generate a series of articles, a single-authored book, and an edited volume.Read moreRead less