Foreign Policy Analysis: Geopolitical Perspectives

Running head: FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS: GEOPOLITICAL PERSPECTIVES 1
Foreign Policy Analysis: Geopolitical Perspectives
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FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS: GEOPOLITICAL PERSPECTIVES 2
How geopolitics and IR theories support the foreign policy in Australia?
Introduction
The geopolitical factors and the IR theories are crucial elements supporting various
concepts within a country. The foreign policy includes those affairs and issues that have been
chosen by a specific nation to safeguard its international relations as well as national interest. On
other hand, the geopolitical perspectives include the study of how human and physical elements
within a nation relates to international matters and the field of politics. Therefore, to support
these two concepts, the paper has tried elaborate vital components relevant to foreign policy. The
article, thus, incorporates the geopolitical identity and cultural diplomacy in Australia. The
country is linked with various factors supporting geopolitics and international relations matters.
All these arguments are being supported by the use of international relation theories that foster to
reveal foreign policy concepts. The paper also encapsulates strategies enhancing international
relations in Australia as well as cultural diplomacy depicted by the nation.
International relations theories
Various international relations theories support different elements in Australia. Most of
these theories promote how the country interacts with other nations in the whole world. Through
the use of these theories, it becomes easy to understand the foreign policy as well as global
politics within the government. Therefore, according to Bray, (2016 p.54) the international
theories relevant to the country are the Marxism theory, the liberalism theory, realism concepts
as well as the constructivism theory. These choices are evident in the Australian government, and
they help the country to formulate profitable rules (Acharya, 2014 p.67).

FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS: GEOPOLITICAL PERSPECTIVES 3
The realism theory has various concepts that help to explain the Australian strategic
posture and shape. The approach supports the interest between the nation and other countries
within the globe. Australia has one of the most influential military forces in the world. It has the
twenty-sixth most significant military force if we measure it by the use of the firepower and the
14th largest power if we compare it in terms of the expenditure in the world. Besides, the nation
has the dominant military force in the southwest Pacific area. Reflecting on the theory, the
government can be explained by the use of various factors such as demographic size, cultural
diplomacy, and geographical expanse (Acharya, 2014 p.32). In the Marxist theory, the main
issue is all about how social factors in a nation reflect the idea of capitalism. Based on the
country of study, the approach helps the government to focus more on the interest of the citizens
but not on the individual's needs. All these factors support the basic principles related to the
theory in the country (Capan, 2017 p.40).
On another hand, both constructivism and liberalism theories support various issues
relevant to foreign policy in Australia. The liberalism theory fosters on how the country has tried
to develop cordial relationships with other nations in the world. Australia, therefore, prefers to
use social and economic capabilities to achieve international and national goals. Through this
analogy, it becomes easy for Australia to enter into trade affairs as well as other agreements
supporting international relations. In the current world, it has become easy for the countries to
use economic power than to use armed forces as advocated in the realism theory (Beeson &
Zeng, 2016 p.123). Besides, the constructivism theory show cultural and other elements such as
national interest help a country to participate in foreign affairs. In the case of Australia has been
on the frontline advocating for peace and harmony. Through this analogy, it becomes easy for
the nation to practice the constructivism approach. The theory also supports international

FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS: GEOPOLITICAL PERSPECTIVES 4
institutions that are present in Australia. According to the procedure, the presence of the non-
state actors as well these institutions form the basis of international relations in Australia.
Strategies supporting international relations
According to Chapman (2017 p.412) various strategies are supporting the international
relations described above. Most of these strategies help foreign policy traditions as experienced
in Australia. Some of the elements recommend how countries such as Australia have expanded
their strategic capabilities to meet diplomatic relations. The author has described key features
making Australia a nation to support international relations. The first strategy is based on
international treaties as well as the agreements. Australian government supports the United
Nations (UN) as well as other related agencies supporting the economic and political interests in
the nation. According to the Australian government reports, the country has joined agencies such
as the Economic and Social Council unit and the UN Commission. These agencies are the
significant epitomes supporting how the nation is indulging itself in foreign affairs matters as
well as other international relationships. Besides, the country also plays a vital role in social
movements such as the commonwealth in the country (Corbett & Dinnen, 2016 p.87).Most of the
offices of the commonwealth groups are situated in Australia, thus making the country play a key
role in international relationships. The security treaties in Australia are also some of the shreds of
evidence showing how the nation supports international relations. It has entered security treaties
with countries such as Australia.
Besides, trade affairs are also vital strategies for building the issue of foreign affairs and
international relations in the country. According to Davis and Brookes, (2016 p.65) Australia has
partnered with nations such as South Korea, China, and the UK. These countries, as well as the
USA, plays a crucial role in helping the government to participate in international affairs. The