Australia's Strategic Hedging in the Indo-Pacific: A Neoclassical Realist Analysis of RCEP and AUKUS
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Hedging will continue to remain as the linchpin between Australia and China amidst this complex geopolitical environment of the Indo-Pacific. This paper delves into the details of this approach, namely Australia’s participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the AUKUS pact, through neoclassical realism. The researcher reflects on how leadership styles and domestic political pressures influence the Australian approach towards China. Second, it explains the factors related to the increasing geopolitical role in the Indo-Pacific and how they affect Australian foreign policy. The study foregrounds the strategic rationale for Australia’s economic and security maneuvers, underlining leadership and internal dynamics in steering foreign policy. Examining the policy documents, speeches, and academic discourses of these policymakers uncovers the intricate calculations by Australia to attempt to reconcile its economic interests with security needs in a dynamic regional order. The study provides an in-depth view of leadership’s role in facing the trials and opportunities that arise due to China’s rise and furthering the deepening of the discourse on state behavior in international relations.
Keywords: Australia, China, RCEP, AUKUS, Neoclassical Realism
Hedging akan terus menjadi kunci utama antara Australia dan Tiongkok di tengah lingkungan geopolitik yang rumit di Indo-Pasifik. Tulisan ini membahas pendekatan tersebut secara rinci, yakni partisipasi Australia dalam Kemitraan Ekonomi Komprehensif Regional (RCEP) dan pakta AUKUS, dengan menggunakan sudut pandang realisme neoklasik. Penulis merefleksikan bagaimana gaya kepemimpinan dan tekanan politik dalam negeri berinteraksi untuk membentuk pendekatan Australia terhadap Tiongkok. Kedua, tulisan ini menjelaskan faktor-faktor yang berkaitan dengan peningkatan peran geopolitik di Indo-Pasifik dan pengaruh faktor-faktor tersebut terhadap kebijakan luar negeri Australia. Studi ini mengedepankan alasan strategis untuk manuver ekonomi dan keamanan Australia, menggarisbawahi kepemimpinan dan dinamika internal dalam mengarahkan kebijakan luar negeri. Kajian terhadap dokumen kebijakan, pidato, dan wacana akademis para pembuat kebijakan dapat digunakan untuk menelusuri perhitungan Australia yang rumit dalam penyesuaian kepentingan ekonominya dengan kebutuhan keamanan dalam dinamika tatanan regional. Penelitian ini memberikan pandangan mendalam tentang peran kepemimpinan dalam ketahanan dan menanggapi peluang yang muncul akibat kebangkitan Tiongkok sekaligus memajukan pendalaman diskursus tentang perilaku negara dalam hubungan internasional.
Kata-kata Kunci: Australia, Tiongkok, RCEP, AUKUS, Realisme Neoklasik
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