Michael Wesley – The Conversation

Today the Commonwealth exists as an organisation in search of a rationale. Reuters

February 27, 2018

Empire of delusion: the sun sets on British imperial credibility

Michael Wesley, Australian National University

Without a clear full stop there can be no certainty that the unravelling of the British Empire has ended even now.

Australia’s traditional reliance on multilateralism and alliances won’t be enough to negotiate the geopolitical rivalries of the Asian century. EPA/Barbara Walton

September 1, 2015

In Australia’s third century after European settlement, we must rethink our responses to a new world

Michael Wesley, Australian National University

For the past two centuries, Australia got many of the big calls on global engagement right. In our third century, there are worrying signs that we have not fully grasped what the rise of Asia means.

Diplomatic smiles and handshakes are in order when Chinese and US representatives meet, but separate trade talks driven by Beijing and Washington represent a high-stakes contest for influence. EPA/Michael Reynolds

October 20, 2014

Who calls the tune? Asia has to dance to duelling trade agendas

Michael Wesley, Australian National University

Ten years on from the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement, Australia is entering another round of negotiations towards the new and controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership. In this Free Trade Scorecard series…

Thailand’s military coup in May is a sign of political malaise without an obvious cure in the absence of a new social contract. EPA/Pongmanat Tasiri

October 15, 2014

Asian states in crisis can choose more democracy or more conflict

Björn Dressel, Australian National University and Michael Wesley, Australian National University

Rather than a new dawn for democracy, political and social reform in the region has led to less representation and more contestation. This has potentially far-reaching consequences. What does the May coup…

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