Great Power Politics in Asia

7 July – 8 August 2008
Australian National University, Canberra

Location: ANU Campus, Canberra

Course Description

Those who watch the news will hear reports about the ‘security situation’ in a certain country, or perhaps comments by politicians that ‘national security is the first priority of government’. Other reports will talk about the ‘strategic implications’ of a decision by a government or about the ‘destabilising impact’ of a weapons purchase. On other occasions - often away from the mainstream media - people will argue that environmental issues or the spread of crime are security issues. So what is security? What is regional stability? And how do the most powerful players in Asia perceive their security and their strategic environment? These are questions that are of vital importance to a range of academic fields such as international relations, political science, and history; and of more than passing interest to those who consider questions of law, economics, the environment, psychology or even applied science.

This innovative course introduces students to the methods and concepts of security analysis in the area of great power politics. In this course, emphasis will be placed on the linkages between power-politics, military operations, cultural conflict and trade interests in Asia. The course will examine some key questions. These are; what makes a state a great power? To what extent has the power balance in Asia altered in recent years? What is the overall nature of strategic relations between the great powers in the region and how do these contribute to regional stability?

The primary objective is to provide students with a solid foundation on the great power strategies that craft the security architecture of Asia. The key characteristics of this course are the unique range of lecturers engaged in teaching, many of whom are leading authorities on individual topics, and the practical advice students will receive on studying security and great power strategy in Asia. Students will be strongly encouraged to ask questions of each lecturer so they may expand their understanding of both the concepts and the issues.

Course tuition fee: AUD 2800
Accommodation: AUD 2040–4080

Website: info.anu.edu.au/ovc/Executive/020PP_Strategies,_Initiatives_and_Alliances/IARU/ANUgsp.asp

Further enquiries: Mr Tim Mansfield, E-mail iaru.gsp@anu.edu.au