TY - JOUR
T1 - For a progressive realism: Australian foreign policy
in the 21st century
AU - Bisley, Nick
AU - Eckersley, Robyn
AU - Hameiri, Shahar
AU - Kirk, Jessica
AU - Lawson, George
AU - Zala, Benjamin
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - What ideas and concepts might be used to reinvigorate a
progressive approach to Australian foreign policy? In contrast to the clarity of the international vision provided by right-wing movements, there is uncertainty about the contours of a progressive approach to contemporary Australian foreign policy.
This article outlines the basis of a ‘progressive realism’ that can
challenge right-wing accounts. Progressive realism combines a ‘realistic’ diagnosis of the key dynamics that underpin contemporary world politics with a ‘progressive’ focus on the redistribution of existing power configurations. Taken together, these two building blocks provide the foundations for a left-ofcentre
foreign policy agenda. We apply progressive realism to
four policy areas: pandemic politics, aid and infrastructure in the Pacific, climate change, and a crisis in the Taiwan Strait. This analysis, in turn, highlights the challenges and opportunities for progressive political actors in crafting foreign policy both within and beyond Australia.
AB - What ideas and concepts might be used to reinvigorate a
progressive approach to Australian foreign policy? In contrast to the clarity of the international vision provided by right-wing movements, there is uncertainty about the contours of a progressive approach to contemporary Australian foreign policy.
This article outlines the basis of a ‘progressive realism’ that can
challenge right-wing accounts. Progressive realism combines a ‘realistic’ diagnosis of the key dynamics that underpin contemporary world politics with a ‘progressive’ focus on the redistribution of existing power configurations. Taken together, these two building blocks provide the foundations for a left-ofcentre
foreign policy agenda. We apply progressive realism to
four policy areas: pandemic politics, aid and infrastructure in the Pacific, climate change, and a crisis in the Taiwan Strait. This analysis, in turn, highlights the challenges and opportunities for progressive political actors in crafting foreign policy both within and beyond Australia.
U2 - 10.1080/10357718.2022.2051428
DO - 10.1080/10357718.2022.2051428
M3 - Article
VL - 76
SP - 138
EP - 160
JO - Australian Journal of International Affairs
JF - Australian Journal of International Affairs
SN - 1035-7718
IS - 2
ER -