Foreign Policy Essay Research Paper Politics CAT

Foreign Policy Essay, Research Paper

Politics CAT 2

Analysis of Australian Foreign Policy with the United States since 1941

“Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom” . Curtin s historic speech of December 1941 marked a radical change in Australian foreign policy and the beginning of what would become a “dynamic alliance relationship” . The Australian-U.S relationship has, since it was formally established, undergone amazing transformations to become an alliance of several facets.

In 1941 Australia turned to America for protection, primarily due to a fear mentality in Australian society: that of invasion from our Asian counterparts. Therefore, initially the alliance was formed from a simple military request, however, it evolved to a multi-dimensional alliance, partnership and friendship encompassing trade, security, and cultural and diplomatic links.

Of the several components of the relationship (military, trade and diplomacy), the military aspect formed the basis for the concordance and was integral to Australia s survival. The alliance, formed during World War Two, has been fortified and developed through much conflict; “in this century our bonds have truly been forged in the fires of war. War after war after war” . Australian and American forces have fought alongside each other in both World Wars (1914-1918, 1939-1945), Korea (1950-1953), Vietnam (1962-1975) and in the Gulf (1990-1991). Australia gave its support primarily for reciprocity; Australia backed America in the hope that the U.S would help us in the future if needed.

This sense of being allies in war was made official in 1951 when the ANZUS Treaty was formulated. Signed at the height of the anti-communist sentiment during the Korean War, ANZUS symbolizes “a close alignment of enduring strategic interests” between Australia, New Zealand and the United States, and conventionally guarantees that if any member is threatened it binds them to consult to meet the common danger. ANZUS thankfully has never been tested, however it still exists today.

Joint training exercises are an important aspect of the alliance, especially during peace time. The largest and most recent training exercise was Tandem Thrust 97 and involved 17,000 American troops and 5000 Australian soldiers. In both training and in actual war “the two governments have emphasised a high degree of interoperability between their armed forces” . There are also three main joint facilities in Australia, of which Pine Gap (built in 1966) is the most significant.

Trade and diplomacy are arguably less important than security, however, they are both imperative to the prosperity of the partnership. Although the trade relationship obviously looms larger for Australia, the commercial relationship is vital to both countries economies. The United States is Australia s second largest trading partner and largest investment partner. In 1996 Australian imports from the U.S stood at $18 billion, while Australian exports to the U.S were valued at $5 billion. This created a bilateral trade deficit of approximately $13.1 billion . Regardless, America is a key export market for Australia and “has remained a major destination for our traditional agricultural exports” plus such things as motor vehicle parts, bauxite and office equipment. Australia s long trading history with the U.S has generally been uncontroversial, however, in 1985 the U.S introduced export subsidies, instituted through their Export Enhancement Program (E.E.P), which meant that the U.S was undercutting Australian prices in traditional Australian markets. A continuing source of friction, compounded by quotas on what they import, Australian access to the U.S markets are severely limited, as evidenced by the 40% lamb tariffs this year.

Diplomacy, and enhancing diplomatic links, between Australia and the U.S is seen as vital. “The United States is important to Australia because of the crucial influence it is able to exert the United States is keen to secure Australia s support because of our reputation as active, independent and influential” . The two countries, led by America, hold similar views on a great many international political and security issues, however, Australia will not always agree and will vigorously pursue its own interests.

Foreign Policy formulation is theoretically pluralist in nature; involving the cabinet formulating policy initiatives based on the majority approbation of the legislative. However, in practice the process is significantly different, and is characterised by an oligarchic, or even autocratic method of formulation.

Foreign Policy formulation begins with the executive; a policy is detailed by the Prime Minister and/or the Foreign Affairs Minister, often in consultation with a Minister immediately concerned eg Defence, aided by the bureaucracy in Foreign Affairs. The community s reaction follows, with the media, pressure groups, opinion leaders and backbench parliamentarians commenting. A reaction, no matter how vociferous, may influence a Government s decision in future, however, “rarely does a Government change its policy due to a reaction in the community” .

The Prime Minister s ability to act on Foreign Policy matters without broad consultation is part of the royal prerogative power and therefore “only a handful o