How has Australia’s self‐identity as a European state situated at the edge of the Asia Pacific region influenced its foreign relations policy? " (Research Paper Sample)

How has Australia’s self‐identity as a European state situated at the edge of the Asia Pacific region influenced its foreign relations policy? " [Student Name] [Institutional Affiliations] [Instructor] [Date] How has Australia’s self‐identity as a European state situated at the edge of the Asia Pacific region influenced its foreign relations policy? " Introduction Australia, despite its geographical location in the Asia-Pacific, it has for long identified itself as a European state with historical and cultural ties to the British empire. Over the years, the Australian self-identification has impacted its foreign relations policy as a middle power in the global arena. The influence of the European cultural heritage and identity on Australia is usually very strong on the implementation of its foreign policy which originates from its strong links in history with the British empire. The influence of Australian European heritage and cultural identity on its for have a European origin of foreign policy, implementation originates from its historical links with the British empire. The ethnic demography of Australia where its citizens have a European origin comprise of a significant majority with a very strong political and military reliance on US and Britain. This essay of research explores the impact of Australian self-identity as a European state on its foreign policy. It is divided into four areas. The first part looks into the historical background of Australia’s traditional allies as a dominion of the British empire. Secondly, it will analyze the security need and Australia’s reliance on the western great powers. Thirdly and examination of the Australian engagement with the region of Asia-pacific and its role as a middle power and fourthly the evaluation of how Australia’s self-identity has shaped its regional and global approach to issues. Via this analysis, this essay demonstrates the significant influence of the self-identity of Australia on its foreign policy relations. Historical Background of Australia’s Traditional Allies – US and Great Britain The identity of Australia as a state within the edge of the Asia-Pacific region can be traced back to its his long historical ties with the British empire. The founding of the British Penal colony within Australia and all its subsequent status as a white dominion in the British empire brought about the solidification of its cultural affinity with the Great Britain (Patience, 2014). The adoption of the White Australian policy further reinforced the identity of Australia as a European state through the promotion of demographic make-up predominantly comprising of people of the European descent (Rollo, 2018). In the earlier part of the 20th century, the foreign policy of Australia was brought to form by its perception of Asian geopolitical and demographic threats While geographically situated in the Asia Pacific, Australia saw the rise of Japan and the increased influence of the Asian states as very potential threats against its security. Such a perception was actually grounded on the fear of demographic imbalances as well as the potential for the spread of communism from Asia world into Australia (Jones, 2018). Following such threats, Australia started to shifts its Alliance towards the U.S. During the second world war, Great Britain failed to prevent the takeover of the Singapore and Malay Peninsula by the Imperial Japan which prompted Australia to widen its nets and sought for alternatives for its security alliances. The U.S rose as a very powerful Australian ally that could give guarantees on protection and security against any potential Asian threats (Rollo, 2018). 1951 brought about the signing of the ANZUS treaty which saw a solidification of the security alliance between the U.S and Australia (Patience, 2017). This treaty was a collective agreement of defense between Australia, New Zealand and U.S formed in response to threats of cold war and the increased influence of communist countries in the Asia-Pacific. The alliance became a cornerstone of the Australian policy, which helped Australia to reaffirm itself as a European country. The treaty meant that there was a shift in Australian security alliance from dependence on British empire to a closer link with the U.S. ANZUS established more equal partnership with the U.S with shared strategies on coordination and decision-making as opposed to Australian earlier agreements with the Britain (Roll, 2018). This shift saw Australia align itself more to the American foreign policy priorities. In the process of cold war, Australia actively supported the initiatives of America such as containment policy against the Vietnam war and communism. Further, Australia’s self-identity as a European country has been manifested through its historical links and cultural links with the Great Britain. In various societal aspects, the British influence on Australia can be identified including – English Language as Australia’s primary language, education system, legal system etc (Rollo, 2018). Again, the ties with Great Britain have also influenced Australia’s diplomatic relationships, with the Queen of England having served as the head of state in Australia. The historical and cultural interconnectedness have brought about the perception of Australia as a European state which is situated within the Asia-Pacific region. The historical ties of Australia and the U.S as well as the Great Britain have shaped the Australia’s foreign policy in regard to its alignment with the interest and values of the West. The democratic shared values as well as individual freedoms have a significant aspect of the self-identity of Australia as a European state. Resulting from this, Australia has thus aligned herself with Western powers in different global issues inclusive of global governance, international security and human right (Bennister & Heppell, 2014). The influence of Australia’s self-identity as a European state on its foreign relations policy is very clear in its engagement with global and regional institutions. Australia has taken an active role in organizations such as the G20, the United Nations, the Commonwealth etc where it has been seeking the promotion of its values while contributing to global processes of decision-making ((Beeson & Higgott, 2013). Such an active engagement is a reflection of Australia’s aspiration to get recognition as a responsible middle power as well as a voice for the interests of the Western Asia-Pacific. Its historical ties with Britain and security alliance with the U.S have had a great influence on the foreign relations policy. Its reliance of ‘two great allies’ has shaped its perception of where it is placed in the global arena as a middle power. Australia's need for security and its reliance on Western great powers: The self-identity of Australia as a European state located at the edge of the Asia-Pacific has continued to influence its policy on foreign relations and more so in terms of security need. Geographically, it is located on a close proximity to Asia and it has continued to perceive itself as a susceptible country to potential threats from its Asia enemies which has caused it to emphasize strongly on security in its foreign policy. Since the colonial era, Australia has been geographically been alienated and it has been quite far from traditional allies which has made it quite vulnerable to foreign powers. The Japanese invasion in the course of second world war was the beginning of this feelings of vulnerability. Again, the vast maritime borders and coastline has subjected it to people trafficking, illegal fishing and smuggling. Such security concerns were exacerbated by the Bali bombings of 2002 which has in an overall sense driven the country towards a cultivation of strong alliances and a strong posture on defense has characterized its foreign policy. For instance, Australia has traditionally had affinity to western power alliances and specifically the U.S for its security reinforcement. As mentioned earlier, the ANZUS treaty forms the bedrock of the country’s security relations with the US providing for mutual defense cooperation. Through this alliance, Australia has benefited with the US receiving intelligence share and American military capabilities. A key manifestation of Australia’s reliance on western great powers is purged by the country’s participation in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. This alliance is comprised of the U.S, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the UK and its role in informing Australia’s foreign policy is very significant. This alliance was formed in the course of the cold war as an intelligence-sharing partnership and since then it has acted as Australia’s cornerstone to security architecture. Via this alliance, Australia has obtained access to very strategic cooperation, technological advancements and valuable intelligence which has enabled the country to address common threats on security such as cyberattacks, espionage and terrorism. This has not just bolstered the defense capabilities of Australia but it has also fostered strong diplomatic ties with its five eye partners (Bennister & Heppell, 2014). The desire to enhance and maintain its membership in the alliance has helped it to recognize its significance in shared intelligence and collective security in the contemporary international landscape. Further, Australia has been in pursuit of military of military cooperation and partnerships with other Western powers including the NATO member states. For example, Australia has taken part in the NATO military deployments alongside other nations showcasing is alignment with western security frameworks. Australia's engagement with the Asia-Pacific region and its role as a middle power: Despite of its self-identification as a European state, Australia is topographically in the Asia-Pacific and this ...