Generational Change: Regional Security and Australian Engagement with Asia
The Pacific Review, May 2010
20 Pages Posted: 28 Mar 2012
There are 2 versions of this paper
Generational Change: Regional Security and Australian Engagement with Asia
Generational Change: Regional Security and Australian Engagement with Asia
Date Written: March, 27 2012
Abstract
The Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has recently announced plans to develop greater regional integration and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Historically, Australian opinion, however, has expressed some anxiety about forging closer economic, political and security ties with Asia. Using trend data from the Australian Election Study and the Lowy Institute Poll, this article examines changes in Australian public opinion on closer engagement with Asia and whether the Australian public is likely to support the Rudd government’s push towards developing deeper regional diplomacy. The article finds a shift in opinion since the 1990s with a younger generation of voters who are moderately supportive of Australia’s engagement with Asia.
Keywords: Public opinion, Australian engagement with Asia, regional security, regionalism
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