Building an Asia-Pacific Security Community: A Role for Australia?

Authors

Jonathan K. Chen, Macalester CollegeFollow

Document Type

Honors Project

Abstract

Australia’s foreign policy has recently shifted from great-power dependency towards self-reliance in the Asia-Pacific. In light of this shift, there have been calls for the creation of a regional security community. This project looks at two existing security communities, the OSCE and ASEAN, to ascertain the necessary conditions for building a security community. From there, I examine whether or not these conditions exist in the Asia-Pacific, and investigate Australia’s ability to produce the remaining conditions. I conclude that Australia does not have the diplomatic power to overcome regional competition, and that rivalries amongst regional powers mitigate against the community’s creation.

Recommended Citation

Chen, Jonathan K., "Building an Asia-Pacific Security Community: A Role for Australia?" (2011). Political Science Honors Projects. 31.
https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/poli_honors/31