Lyla Lindsey
Australia has long been depicted as a good international citizen, a term used to describe a law-abiding and cooperative nation that acts in accordance with globalist values and international norms. However, in the 21st century, Australia's reputation as a good global citizen has been called into question due to various factors, including its hard-line policies against asylum seekers, participation in non-UN-sanctioned missions, and controversial stance on climate change mitigation. This essay will explore the arguments for and against Australia's status as a good global citizen, considering its foreign policy, contributions to international organisations, and adherence to ethical and moral principles in its domestic and international affairs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Generous aid donor | Australia provided aid to Tonga after the volcano eruption and tsunami in January |
| Universal human rights upholder | N/A |
| Prevent war and mass atrocities | N/A |
| Alleviate consequences of war and mass atrocities | N/A |
| Addressing great existential risks | Australia has taken a controversial attitude towards climate change mitigation |
| Law-abiding | N/A |
| Cooperative | Australia has contributed to the establishment of the middle power notion at the UN and has played a remarkable role in international diplomacy |
| Fighting Axis Powers | N/A |
| Contributing to the post-war liberal order | N/A |
| Advancing UN goals | N/A |
| Participating in UN-sanctioned peace support operations | Australia has participated in missions that are not sanctioned by the UN |
| Addressing hard-line policies against asylum seekers | Australia has implemented hard-line policies against seaborne asylum seekers |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's role in international diplomacy
Australia has long been depicted as a "good international citizen", a term used to describe law-abiding and cooperative nations that align global values and international norms with national interests. However, in the 21st century, Australia's status as a good global citizen has been questioned due to various reasons, including hard-line policies against asylum seekers, controversial attitudes towards climate change, and a shift in foreign policy priorities.
Australia has played a significant role in international diplomacy, particularly as a middle power at the United Nations (UN). Australia has contributed to UN activities such as peacekeeping, disarmament negotiations, narcotics control, and international development cooperation. Australia led a UN-sanctioned coalition to restore order in East Timor in 1999 and has been the largest development partner in the Pacific region, providing significant international aid. Additionally, Australia has been closely engaged with international financial institutions and contributed to the establishment of the middle power notion at the UN.
However, Australia's role in international diplomacy has also been criticised for not meeting certain benchmarks of a good international citizen. These include being a generous aid donor, protecting universally recognised human rights, preventing mass-atrocity crimes, and actively addressing global issues such as health pandemics, global warming, and nuclear proliferation. Australia's participation in missions not sanctioned by the UN and its selective regionalism have also been points of contention.
Australia's diplomacy extends beyond traditional government-to-government engagement through public diplomacy, which focuses on building people-to-people links and sustaining an extensive network of relationships with other countries. This includes cultural diplomacy initiatives, such as the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP), which promotes Australia's creative sector and First Nations experience internationally.
In conclusion, Australia has played a notable role in international diplomacy, particularly through its engagement with the UN and international development efforts. However, its reputation as a good international citizen has been questioned due to shifts in foreign policy and controversies in certain areas. Australia's public diplomacy initiatives aim to strengthen its international influence and relationships beyond traditional government interactions.
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Australia's contribution to the post-war liberal order
Australia has been depicted as a "good international citizen", a term used for law-abiding and cooperative nations that align national interests with global values and international norms. Australia's contributions to the post-war liberal order include fighting the Axis Powers, playing a significant role with Canada in establishing the middle power notion at the UN, advancing UN goals, and participating in numerous UN-sanctioned peace support operations.
During the post-war period, Australia witnessed long periods of economic prosperity and the introduction of an expanded and multi-ethnic immigration program. The post-war immigration scheme aimed to preserve the British character of Australian society, with the majority of immigrants sourced from the British Isles, alongside other European countries. This marked a move away from Britain in political, social, and cultural terms, with increasing engagement with the United States.
The Liberal Party of Australia, formed in 1944 with Robert Menzies as its leader, dominated the early post-war decades. Menzies famously stated, "Australia has always needed great and powerful friends." This reflected Australia's post-war foreign and security policy, which focused on maintaining strong relations with the United States for security guarantees.
However, in the 21st century, Australia's reputation as a good international citizen has been questioned due to various factors. These include hard-line policies against asylum seekers, participation in non-UN-sanctioned missions, budget cuts to foreign aid, and a controversial stance on climate change mitigation. Despite these challenges, Australia has actively contributed to addressing global issues, such as passing the Clean Energy Bill 2011 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and participating in UN peace support operations.
In conclusion, Australia's contributions to the post-war liberal order have been mixed. While Australia has played a positive role in establishing middle power notions at the UN and advancing UN goals, its recent domestic and foreign policy decisions have impacted its reputation as a good international citizen. Australia's ability to adapt its strategic relations to a changing regional environment will be crucial in maintaining its contributions to the post-war liberal order.
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Australia's relationship with the US
Australia and the United States have a strong and robust relationship, underpinned by shared democratic values, common interests, and cultural affinities. The two countries have a long history of cooperation in various areas, including defence, security, intelligence, trade, and investment.
The US and Australia have fought side by side in several major conflicts since World War I, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the War on Terror. In recent years, the two countries have strengthened their defence ties through agreements like the US-Australia Force Posture Agreement and the Joint Statement on Defence Cooperation. They also participate in joint military exercises, such as the biennial Talisman Saber, designed to ensure interoperability between their defence forces.
The ANZUS Treaty, signed in 1951, is a central pillar of the relationship, binding the two countries to consult on mutual threats and act together against common dangers. Australia has also been a member of the "Five Eyes", a group of five World War II allies (the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) that continued to share intelligence even after the war.
The economic relationship between the US and Australia is strong, with bilateral direct investment totalling nearly $230 billion. The US is Australia's largest foreign investor, and US firms have operated in Australia for over a century, contributing significantly to the Australian economy.
In terms of international relations, both countries belong to several of the same organisations, including the United Nations, APEC, G-20, and the World Trade Organization. They also share a commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation and other lawful uses of the sea, particularly in the South China Sea.
However, there have been some tensions in the relationship. Australia has had to balance its trading relationship with China with its security alliance with the US, leading to some discomfort in relations with Washington. There have also been differences in opinion regarding defence spending, with the US expecting Australia to increase its contribution.
Despite these challenges, the US-Australia alliance remains strong, with both countries committed to working together to advance their shared interests.
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Australia's stance on climate change
Australia has experienced the impacts of climate change firsthand, with rising temperatures, droughts, and declining rainfall in recent years. The country has also contributed to climate change, with its greenhouse gas emissions per capita above the world average. Australia is highly reliant on coal and other fossil fuels, which has made it a significant emitter of greenhouse gases. Coal alone was responsible for 30% of Australia's emissions in 2019, according to the national Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
Despite this, Australia has made some efforts to transition to renewable energy sources. The country has set a target of achieving 82% renewable electricity generation by 2030, with an expanded Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) in place to support this goal. However, independent analyses suggest that Australia may fall short of this target, with the International Energy Agency projecting that renewables will only account for 58% of the country's power mix by 2030.
Additionally, Australia has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 under the Paris Agreement. While this is a positive step, Australia has been ranked poorly in the Climate Change Performance Index and other international rankings due to its insufficient policies and implementation. For example, the government has continued to invest in natural gas projects and has refused to increase its 2030 domestic emissions targets.
The Australian government has also been criticised for promoting climate misinformation, which has sparked protests and demonstrations in support of stronger climate change policies. Australia's states and territories have taken the lead in climate action, with most setting their own 2030 targets. However, the federal government has yet to take the necessary steps to align with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C below pre-industrial levels.
In summary, while Australia has taken some steps towards addressing climate change, its overall stance has been controversial due to its reliance on fossil fuels, insufficient policies, and lack of commitment to stronger climate action. The country's efforts have been characterised as a "neutral international citizen" rather than a good international citizen in this regard.
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Australia's treatment of asylum seekers
Australia has long been depicted as a "good international citizen", a nation that is law-abiding and cooperative, and that filters its national interests through globalist values and international norms. However, in the 21st century, Australia's treatment of asylum seekers has been one of several factors that have damaged its reputation as a good global citizen.
As a signatory to the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Australia has agreed not to send back refugees who meet the UN definition. This definition includes those who are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin due to a well-founded fear of persecution. The Australian Human Rights Commission aims to protect the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees and to increase community awareness and understanding of their situation. However, the majority of people currently held in immigration detention in Australia are asylum seekers.
In recent years, Australia has implemented hard-line policies against seaborne asylum seekers, which have been criticised as a departure from the country's traditional adherence to globalist values. These policies have included the use of offshore detention centres, which have been the subject of widespread condemnation due to concerns about human rights abuses and the mental health impacts on detainees. Australia has also been criticised for its slow processing of asylum claims, with some people left in limbo for years awaiting a decision.
While the Australian government has argued that these measures are necessary to maintain border security and deter people smuggling, human rights organisations have argued that they violate Australia's international obligations and undermine its reputation as a good global citizen. The treatment of asylum seekers has become a highly politicised issue in Australia, with some politicians exploiting fears about border security for political gain.
In conclusion, Australia's treatment of asylum seekers is a complex and contentious issue that has impacted its reputation as a good global citizen. While the country has obligations to protect its borders and the human rights of all people, the hard-line approach taken in recent years has led to concerns about human rights abuses and Australia's commitment to international norms.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four main criteria that determine whether a country is a good global citizen: being a generous aid donor, protecting and advancing human rights, preventing wars and mass-atrocity crimes, and actively participating in attempts to meet the great existential risks posed by health pandemics, global warming, and nuclear war.
Australia has been depicted as a good global citizen for fighting the Axis Powers, contributing to the post-war liberal order, playing a key role with Canada in establishing the middle power notion at the UN, and participating in UN-sanctioned peace support operations.
Australia's hard-line policies against seaborne asylum seekers, participation in missions not sanctioned by the UN, budget cuts to foreign aid, and controversial attitude towards climate change mitigation have damaged its good international citizen credentials.
