The Howard Paradox
Encyclopedia
The Howard Paradox: Australian Diplomacy in Asia is a 2007 book by Professor Michael Wesley
. The book explores whether Australia’s alliance with the United States
advances or undermines Australia's relations with Asia. It notes the Howard Government
's significant foreign policy successes in the Asia region including diplomatic intimacy with Asian leaders and gaining a seat at the East Asian Summit, which the author says confounded those critical of the early years of the Howard Government
. It also examines the impact of John Howard
’s "vigorous identification with the West rather than Asia". Discussion of Alexander Downer
also features in the book, with his recognition of Australia’s interest in "practical regionalism" not "emotional regionalism".
Michael Wesley was recently appointed as the Director of Lowy Institute for International Policy. Previously, he was the Director of the Asia Institute at Griffith University and an assistant director-general in the Office of National Assessments.
Michael Wesley
Michael Wesley is an Australian academic and currently works as Executive Director of the Lowy Institute for International Policy. Prior to joining the Lowy Institute, he was Director of the Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University....
. The book explores whether Australia’s alliance with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
advances or undermines Australia's relations with Asia. It notes the Howard Government
Howard Government
The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister John Howard. It was made up of members of the Liberal–National Coalition, which won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives at four successive elections. The Howard Government...
's significant foreign policy successes in the Asia region including diplomatic intimacy with Asian leaders and gaining a seat at the East Asian Summit, which the author says confounded those critical of the early years of the Howard Government
Howard Government
The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister John Howard. It was made up of members of the Liberal–National Coalition, which won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives at four successive elections. The Howard Government...
. It also examines the impact of John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
’s "vigorous identification with the West rather than Asia". Discussion of Alexander Downer
Alexander Downer
Alexander John Gosse Downer is a former Australian Liberal Party politician who was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December 2007, the longest-serving in Australian history...
also features in the book, with his recognition of Australia’s interest in "practical regionalism" not "emotional regionalism".
Michael Wesley was recently appointed as the Director of Lowy Institute for International Policy. Previously, he was the Director of the Asia Institute at Griffith University and an assistant director-general in the Office of National Assessments.