Regionalism in Australia - A Critical Review

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The relationship between Australia and her Asian neighbours has long been a topic of debate and discussion, as well as a positive foresight into Australias growth and future. There has long been discussion of the political implications of a European Australia being located in Asia, and how this affects the definition of Australias identity. This topic will continue to be of important discussion as it concerns the shaping of Australias future within the Asia-Pacific region, and globally.

Australias Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, has been very vocal on the issue of Australias role within the Asia-Pacific region, and attributes the positive growth of our relationships with our neighbours to the Howard Government. In his article We Can Stand Proud in Our Region(The Australian 0/0/000), Downer expresses his contentment in the stability and positioning of Australia, as a major contributor to the Asia-Pacific region. This view is very clearly expressed in the opening and closing statements of the article.

It is the general opinion expressed through the article that Downer, himself, and the Howard Government have created and built above satisfactory ties with the Asia-Pacific region although this is backed as an argument through various examples of the several exemplary ties Australia has made, and the role Australia has played in other countries over the past years. The evidence supplied includes our role played in bringing peace to East Timor and the improvement in relations with Jakarta that followed. Downer also outlines the contributions made during the 17- regional economic crisis, that is, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) packages supplied to Thailand, South Korea and Indonesia during their recession periods. As further evidence of Australias acheivements, Downer points out also, that our efforts have not gone unnoticed. We apparently have the support and appreciation of our fellow Asian leaders and dignitaries.

As an argument, Alexander Downers article is succinct and confident. His approach to the issue is a biased but well supported argument. He is proud of Australias growth, and this pride is encouraging to readers, as Australians. However, although Downer presents a strong argument, his opinion that all growth can be attributed to the Howard Government, comes across as a justification of his role, rather than a supported fact. Downer outlines our achievements as benefactors within the region, but neglects to speculate on the many contributions we may receive from Asia. This being the fact, one may lose faith in his actual argument as it seems more of a justification that he is indeed performing those duties which he is obligated to us to perform, and that he is indeed playing the role we employ him to. Whether he actually is or not, is left to be determined by each reader.

Greg Sheridans article Inept Downer a Regional Flop (The Australian 8/04/000) is a criticism on Foreign Minister Alexander Downers formulation on regionalism during a speech in Beijing. Sheridan believes that Downer made statements during his speech that made Australians appear foolish or feeble. He believes that in this instance, Downer has misrepresented the view of Australians. By seeking to make a distinction between practical regionalism and emotional regionalism, and endorsing the former and rejecting the latter, Sheridan claims that Downers rejection would be destructive to Australia and our ties with Asia.

Sheridan expresses his concern at Downers rejection of emotional regionalism between Australia and Asia and questions his reasoning. In his speech, Downer stated that Australia did not have emotional and historic attachments to Asia. Sheridan is quick to point out that Australia did indeed have emotional attachments in the light of certain incidents such as The Kokoda Trail and Milne Bay. Sheridan questions Downers formulation on regionalism in relation to Australias official foreign policy. According to Downers own foreign policy on white paper Australia has four core relationships - with the US, Japan, Indonesia and China. Sheridan questions Downers view here, as rejection would mean that we cannot have close or emotional regionalism with three of our four core relationships. By definition, regionalism is an international instrument which was designed to overcome cultural/ethnic differences, but acording to Sheridan, Downer has confused this and has made claims in the name of regionalism which spite the very ideal of regionalism. It his claim that Downer has changed his own foreign policy as a result of and in order to accomodate his own failings as Foreign Minister.

In his article, Sheridan is swift and articulate in highlighting the incoherencies in Alexander Downers policy in rejection of emotional regionalism. In showing Downer to undermine himself, Sheridan communicates his view rather strongly. However, due to the very personal nature of the article, that is, by making strongly opinionated and biased judgments on Downer, Sheridan succeeds also in undermining his own argument. From the very first words of the article, it is clearly apparent that Greg Sheridan has a very low opinion of Downer, and his role as Australias Foreign Minister. Not only is this apparent at the start, but throughout the article until the final statement, In foreign policy, this has been a feeble and confused Government, with a feeble and confused Foreign Minister. In his harsh criticism, Sheridan loses much credibility as an objective reporter. Although his argument is strong in validity, Sheridan ironically succeeds in undermining his own argument too.

In rebuttal of Greg Sheridans strong criticism of his role as Foreign Minister and his statements on regionalism, Alexander Downer was swift in the publication of his article, Regionalism Not Viewed as Creed (The Australian 04/05/000). The very title of the article moves to explain Downers stance on (practical) regionalism.

Downer argues that contrary to the beliefs of those who oppose his, Australia should not have to beg to gain acceptance in our region. Apparently, Australia has been a stable and strongly substantial part of the Asia Pacific region for a long time. We should not be begging' to be a part, but rather show how our practical actions will benefit us and neighbouring Asian countries. Downer makes a direct comment on Greg Sheridan and his former article condemning Downers actions claiming that Sheridan seems to have chosen emotional ranting as a substitute for examining the fundamental principles of Australias regional relationships. He then continues to outline all the achievements, ties and relationships we have made under the current Howard Government, illustrating this with examples, stating the facts speak for themselves. According to Downer, our efforts to expand relationships have seen us reaping the rewards and our relationships with Thailand, Singapore and China are better than they have ever been. Our influence in other countries has seen growth within those countries (eg. East Timor).

In closing Downer states that regionalism is not creed as such, but a way in which countries can achieve mutually established goals. This article can be seen as a rebuttal of Sheridans previous article. However, it is interesting to note the way that Downer skirts around the issue he previously voiced on emotional regionalism. It seems almost, that he cannot refute Sheridans criticism on his comments on emotional regionalism. It becomes evident, that Downer is not refuting Sheridans criticism of his emotional regionalism theory at all, but rather, by highlighting the acheivements of the Howard Government, Downer is perhaps only refuting Sheridans personal attacks. Thus the overall validity of his rebuttal can be questioned. Perhaps this article is Downers justification to Sheridan, to us and to himself of the effectiveness of his role as Australias Foreign Minister.

In articles such as those analysed above, one will almost always have an predefined opinion on the issue based on external and personal reasoning or experience. However, when examining articles such as those above, it is important not only to assess the text alone, but the context in which it is written. Not only is the strength and validity of the argument important, the sentiment in which it is expressed is vital in forming personal opinions. As can be seen in the aforementioned articles, a strong argument is easily undermined by biased personal opinions.

Australias relationship with Asia will continue to be an ongoing debate, and we can be certain to witness further discussion through many various forums in which it will continue to exist. In Australias relations with Asian countries we possess an opportunity of international, historic importance. Operating on what some have perceived to be the front line of a dangerous clash of civilisations, we in fact have the opportunity to demonstrate that, with skill and patience, this region can be a place where difference is respected and negotiated, where plurality is celebrated.

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