politics 3.2

National Interests

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A **state’s goals and ambitions,** primarily the survival of the state but can also extend to economic growth, being a good international citizen, geopolitical and strategic actions.

Sovereignty

Legitimate and widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised \n borders. This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the authority to represent themselves in the global community.

Power

Refers to the ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor. Power can be exercised in many different ways.

Security

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Traditionally, this term refers to the protection of a state’s borders from intrusion and the maintenance of sovereignty through military power. It has now evolved to include softer forms of security, including access to resources, cyber security and protection of the environment. \n

Idealism

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A school of thought which policy is influenced primarily by an ideological principle, as opposed to practical or pragmatic considerations. This means a state’s strategy lives up to ideals. \n

Pragmatism

A school of thought in which policy is influenced primarily by practical considerations, as opposed to a particular ideology. In essence, a state that is acting pragmatically will use any means necessary to reach a particular goal, even if this method contradicts ideological or moral principles.

Factors Shaping National Interests (International)

International Influences on National Interest:



* Economic and trade relationships
* Alignment with a superpower
* Multilateral agreements/ treaties
* Geopolitical factors
* World balance of power and state position
* Regional balance of power and state position

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Factors Shaping National Interests (Domestic)

Domestic Influences:



* Current leaders and their ideology
* Political structure of the state
* Public opinion
* Media
* Pressure/ Lobby groups

Hard Power

Any kind of action whose intent is to apply pressure/ force/ coercion. It implies a lack of free will on behalf of the weaker actor (which is compelled to fulfil the will of the stronger actor)

Carrots= rewards/inducements

Stick= Threats of or actual use of violence

Actor A’s gain= Actor B’s loss

Soft Power

The absence of pressure; it works because it is based on attraction. It implies a degree of voluntarism on behalf of actors being persuaded.

Want what I want! Appeal and attraction.

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Smart Power

Combination of hard and soft power used in the appropriate context.

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“Using all the tools in our foreign policy toolbox.”- Hillary Clinton

Military Power

**Military Power:** *Size, technology, funding, capabilities compared to other actors.*



Military power is simply the ability to influence other actors through **possession, use, or threatened use** of armed forces, weapons, hardware such as ships, planes, satellite technology, and intelligence.

Military Power- FPIs

* Military Intervention
* Cyber Attacks
* Surveillance and Intelligence agencies
* Military drills and war games
* ADF
* Border Force Officers

Australia’s Military Power

**Budget:** $46.9 billion (2% of GDP) (2022-2023)



**Personnel:** 60,330 (2021)

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The Australian Defence Force was deployed to enforce universal quarantine for Australians.

“Since Operation COVID-19 ASSIST began, there has been over 19,000 Navy, Army, Air Force and Defence civilian personnel deploy under its auspices to support a raft of initiatives across the nation and our region.” - Richard Marles

Economic Power

**Economic Power:** Ability to influence other actors through the possession, use, or threatened use of wealth, financial resources, trade, or assets.



Economic power can involve a large GDP and GDP per capita, spread of wealth and availability of key natural resources. Low reliance on external sources for resources.

Economic Power FPIs

**Free trade Agreements** (lowers tariffs and subsidies of sought after resources to help grow exposure to domestic products and access to foreign good and services not readily available in your country.)



**Aid packages** (sent to other countries in return for favourable political support or strategic partnerships)

Australia’s Economic Power

**GDP:** 1.533 trillion USD



**GDP per capita**: $60,442



**Top Exports:** Iron Ore, Coal, Petroleum Gas, Gold, Bovine meat



**Exporting to:** China, Japan, South Korea, USA, and India

Diplomatic Power

**Diplomatic Power:** ability to influence other actors through discussion, negotiation, network and alliance and membership to other organisations (as well as ability to get publicity for opinions e.g. twitter and facebook)



Diplomatic Power is the strength of bilateral and multilateral relationships, alliances, memberships to international organisations, influence with institutions of global governance.

Diplomatic Power FPIs

Participation in bilateral ministerial talks with other states, participation, and positions of influence held within multilateral institutions and forums. (i.e. Australia’s position as a rotating member of the UNSC)

Australia’s Diplomatic Power

AUKUS, G20, UN member etc.

Political Power (Internal Only)

**Political Power:** Domestic legislative policy and law making power to assist the pursuit of national interest outside of the state.

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Political Power FPIs

**Foreign Policy Instruments:**



* Specific laws passed in areas such as immigration, defence, cyber security

Economic Prosperity

Economic prosperity indicates whether a state can stave off international economic instability, and can protect and build the wealth and living standards of its citizens. Economically prosperous states are also attractive to other states looking to build relationships.

Measurement of Success (EP)

(How can we measure whether Australia is achieving economic prosperity?)



* Statistical economic indicators such as GDP growth, unemployment, inflation figures etc.
* Trade agreements, foreign debt, income inequality (Gini coefficient)
* IMF ratings and reports, Ratings Agencies
* Resilience of supply chains for key resources

Factors that Shape Australia’s view on EP

**Trade Liberalisation and Neo-Liberal Economic Policies**

* Both political parties (particularly the Liberal Coalition Conservative governments) have embraced Trade Liberalisation and Neoliberal economic policies in pursuit of economic growth.

Globalist View

A globalist perspective on economic prosperity focuses on the benefits of globalisation and free trade, causing a ‘trickle down effect’ whereby overall economic growth and company growth will flow on to all sections of the Australian community.

Supportive of trade liberalisation and removal of barriers to trade between states and TNCs. Business Council of Australia support this perspective as it broadens export and business growth opportunities.

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**‘Movement of people, movement of goods, movement of services – this is what underpins the strength of advanced economies and liberal democracies.’ PM Morrison 2021**

Nationalist View

A nationalist perspective to economic prosperity would focus on the importance of ensuring Australian workers and Australian owned smaller scale businesses are not disadvantaged by any pursuit of broader economic prosperity

Supportive of ‘protectionist measures’ e.g. Tariffs, Subsidies, Quotas. Unions support this perspective as it seeks to protect local jobs.

National Security

an interest in defending the integrity of a state’s physical borders in order to guarantee its survival as a territorial entity and ensure the safety and protection of its citizens.

Measurements of Success (NS)

* Does Australia have military control over its borders and sphere of influence?


* Does Australia receive diplomatic recognition of its territorial influence and claims?
* Can Australia protect itself from threats to its borders or within its region?
* Can Australia protect its infrastructure from external attacks?

Defence Minister Peter Dutton

“We need to be very cautious here because the Chinese are incredibly aggressive, the tactics that they’re deploying into small island nations are quite remarkable” - Dutton, 2022

Australia’s Views of National Security

**Democracy**



China as a challenge to regional peace, stability, and a direct threat to Australia’s National Security



Defence Minister Peter Dutton said it shows China is taking “aggressive” action in the Indo-Pacific

China’s Views of National Security

One Party State

Its actions as peaceful bilateral support for a regional partner

Security cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands is “normal exchange and cooperation between two sovereign and independent countries.”

“public, transparent, open and inclusive, not directed at any third party,’- Spokesperson Wang (China re Solomon Islands relationship)

International Standing

a state’s interest in maintaining a good reputation within the broader international community. This depends largely on its conduct in global affairs, its ability to uphold prevailing international norms, and- more recently- the effectiveness with which it can use soft power.

Measurement of Success (IS)

### Measurement of Success



* Receiving positive or negative sentiment and statements from other states, non-state actors and international organisations.
* Statements about whether Australia is doing well/ leading in specific areas.
* Specific roles held within international organisations and contributions to multilateral forums.
* Subscription and enforcement of international laws
* Upholding of liberalist values, rule of law, rules-based system.

**Examples of Liberalism driving Australia’s Foreign Policy:**

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* Founding member of UN in 1945


* 2013/2014 rotating seat on UN Security Council
* 2018/20 seat on the UN
* Strong supporter of Rules-Based System within Global Politics
* e.g. White Papers and policy
* Pushing for values of openness and transparency (Covid-19 investigation)
* Support for collective action in support of self determination against rogue states, Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022.



***Our adherence to the rule of law extends beyond our borders. We advocate and seek to protect an international order in which relations between states are governed by international law and other rules and norms’ - AU Gov FP White Paper, 2017***

Internationalist, liberalist or idealist perspective

* will place significant importance of achieving a strong international standing via achieving mutually shared global goals. This will manifest within a state’s foreign policy through participation in international institutions and support for international treaties and laws based on shared morals and noble principles.
* These actions will often reflect the collective will of a majority of states and result in multilateral action using a variety of forms of power.

Realist or pragmatic view

• will always place a strong emphasis of national interests and practical considerations on the impact to state sovereignty that any pursuit of improved international standing.

• States subscribing to this view will make decisions in the best interests of their country and impact on citizens, even if it means not conforming to the wishes of the majority

• Whilst this may draw short term criticism from other leaders and institutions of global governance, in the long term the reputation of the state may be enhanced as being independent, unbiased and measured in response to foreign policy.

Regional Relationships

a state’s interest in maintaining positive interactions between itself and its geographical neighbors

Measuring Success (RR)

* Leader and state visits, diplomatic summits, establishment of embassies
* Signing of bi-lateral trade and military agreements
* Positive or negative statements and quotes from other state leaders and ministers towards Australia
* Public opinion surveys of populations towards Australia and strength of people to people links.

Factors that Shape National Interest in Solomon Islands

→ Geographic proximity and an historical influential role

* Solomon Islands capital city Honiara is only 2000 km from Brisbane
* geographic positioning of Solomon Islands make it a strategic ally in the Pacific
* Throughout history the Solomon Islands has experienced unrest which has threatened stability in the region and Australia’s Sovereignty
* RAMSI response
* The Solomon Islands is a like minded democracy (sharing British Colonial state formation) and also shares trade partnership and diplomatic ties

Aid in the Solomon Islands

Over $161 million in 2021-22 with focus on stability, economic growth, and enhancing human development.

→ Pacific Step Up program

Diplomacy (FPI)

Refers to discussion and negotiation between representatives of states to manage relations and further a state’s national interests

Trade

buying,selling, or exchanging commodities or goods. Trade allows states to wield economic power through imposing sanctions, closing trade, or trade wars (alternatively ftas, trade agreements etc)

Aid

Aid involves one country giving assistance with the intention of influencing their decisions/actions in order to achieve a specific aim.

Humanitarian vs Coercive

Military

Actual or threatened use of force by a state