Derek Mcdougall
Biographic Data
| ID | 3777681 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Derek Mcdougall |
| GIVEN NAMES | Derek |
| FAMILY NAME | Mcdougall |
| SIGNATURE | MCDOUGALL D |
| AFFILIATIONS | The University of Melbourne |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1996-4240 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 84 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 80 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 84 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1972 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Mauritius
Mauritius has developed international agency through various means. The island state occupies a strategically important location in the western Indian Ocean, with India as the leading power, but other powers such as China, the United States and France are also involved. International arrangements relating to sugar, textiles and financial services have provided opportunities for Mauritius. Given these favourable contexts, Mauritius has adopted int…
Malcolm Fraser and the Commonwealth of Nations
Malcolm Fraser’s view of the Commonwealth of Nations and involvement in its affairs exemplifies his approach to international relations, combining idealism and pragmatism. His liberalism was strongly anti-racist. Evident before he became prime minister, this approach developed further at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in 1977, 1979 and 1981, and in the short-lived Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meetings. Fraser subsequen…
Revisiting the Anti‐Zionism of Sir Isaac Isaacs, Australia's First Native‐Born Governor‐General—and a Jew
Sir Isaac Isaacs, Australia's first native‐born Governor‐General (1931–1936) was a leading figure in the controversy on Zionism within the Jewish community in Australia in 1941–1946. Isaacs argued against Extreme or Political Zionism on grounds of prudence and justice. Zionism undermined the British war effort, also leading to conflict within Palestine and beyond. Zionism was unfair to the Arabs of Palestine, also weakening the position of Jews a…
Developmental challenges, maritime security, and geopolitics
The Australian federal election of 3 May 2025
The role of virtual field trips in Geography higher education
In this perspective paper, we explore the role virtual field trips (VFTs) may play in creating a more resilient, sustainable and equitable field education for Geography students in higher education as we move away from the pandemic but into a financially precarious higher education environment. While in‐person field trips are a fundamental part of Geography (and allied subjects) education, there is growing recognition of the equality, diversity, …
Seychelles
The future of geography field course pedagogy in UK higher education
Field courses are widely regarded as integral to geography degree programmes, providing students with opportunities for experiential learning, often in unfamiliar international environments. Yet, this key area of pedagogy appears increasingly unsustainable and complex for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) within the context of the urgent need for decarbonisation, increasing financial costs, and the institutional challenges of comprehensively e…
How fares the Commonwealth? Reflections in the light of the 2024 Samoa CHOGM
Chagos
Victoria drops the Commonwealth Games
Victoria drops the Commonwealth Games." The Round Table, 112(5), pp. 551–552 Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)
The coronation of King Charles III
The coronation of King Charles III: an Australian perspective." The Round Table, 112(2), pp. 185–186
Aukus
The Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) partnership arose because of Australia's need to replace its ageing submarine fleet, opting for nuclear-powered submarines to be built with American and British assistance.Perceptions of a deteriorating strategic situation vis--vis China were a major factor in this decision.Through AUKUS, the United Kingdom will also acquire additional submarines and expand its strategic role in the Indo/Asia-Pac…
Contest for the Indo-Pacific
The fall of Boris Johnson
The Queen (of Australia) is dead; long live the King (of Australia)
The Queen (of Australia) is dead; long live the King (of Australia)." The Round Table, 111(5), pp. 632–633
Australia & the Pacific
Albo crosses the line
Labor has won a slim majority in the House of Representatives in the 2022 Australian federal election. Labor pursued a ‘small target’ strategy, focusing on economic issues. Labor and the Coalition combined won only about two-thirds of the primary vote. The new government faces a deteriorating economy and significant energy issues. However, Labor will make climate action a higher priority, also giving attention to such matters as a constitutionall…
China ups the ante
China ups the ante: the new Chinese security agreement with Solomon Islands." The Round Table, 111(3), pp. 453–454
International Relations
Australia‐China relations
Australia’s humanitarian response to disasters in the South Pacific
Australian involvement in humanitarian affairs in the South Pacific is indicative of tensions that can arise between ‘humanitarianism as diplomacy’ and ‘humanitarian diplomacy’. Australia aims to play a leading role in relation to the Pacific island countries (PICs), and its humanitarian involvement can assist in that respect. However, despite Australia’s attempts to prevent or mitigate climate-related disasters, tensions have arisen because of A…
Aukus
AUKUS: implications for Australia and other Commonwealth countries in the Indo-Pacific." The Round Table, 110(6), pp. 728–729
Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have done relatively well in international terms in combating COVID-19, aided by their geographical isolation and political leadership. Overall, they have pursued strategies of assertive suppression in relation to the virus, varying to some extent between ‘softer’ and ‘harder’ versions, as among the federal government in Australia, the various Australian states and territories, and New Zealand. Economically both countrie…
Introduction
10.1080/00358533.2021.1875663
Responses to ‘Rising China’ in the East Asian Region
While the strategic response to 'rising China' in the broader East Asian region has been varied, the strongest emphasis has been on 'soft balancing'. This approach is clearly evident in the strategies pursued by the most significant of the major powers, the United States, Japan and India, as well as by other powers such as Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam. However, other responses such as accommodation and hedging have also featured for various s…
Intervention in Solomon Islands
From the late 1990s Solomon Islands had been moving towards the status of a ‘failed state’. Corruption was widespread and there was considerable resentment expressed by Guadalcanal people towards immigrants from the neighbouring island of Malaita, because of the perceived economic gains made by the latter at the former's expense. Conflict over this issue led to the coup of 5 June 2000 and the installation of a pro‐Malaitan government. Australia a…
Australia and the Commonwealth
The Empire–Commonwealth played a key role in the evolution of Australia's international position. However, the post-1960s Commonwealth has only been of minor significance for Australia. The Commonwealth provides a backdrop for a number of Australia's bilateral relationships, the most important of which are those with Britain, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Canada, India, Malaysia and Singapore. The multilateral context provided by the Commonwealt…
Sino-Indian competition in the Indian Ocean island countries
Discussion of Sino-Indian competition in the Indian Ocean region has focused on the two major powers, but there is scope to give more attention to the role of the island states. Using a structure-agency approach, this article assesses the agency of four Indian Ocean island states in relation to Sino-Indian competition: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles. In the context of India’s and China’s engagement with the island states, one can anal…
From Malcolm Turnbull to ScoMo
Australia witnessed a change of prime minister in late August 2018, with Scott Morrison replacing Malcolm Turnbull as leader of the Liberal–National Coalition government, even though the initial challenge came from Peter Dutton on the Liberal right. The immediate context was dissatisfaction on the Liberal right with government attempts to implement a new national energy policy. However, there had been long-term discontent from this quarter with T…
The future of geography field course pedagogy in UK higher education
Field courses are widely regarded as integral to geography degree programmes, providing students with opportunities for experiential learning, often in unfamiliar international environments. Yet, this key area of pedagogy appears increasingly unsustainable and complex for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) within the context of the urgent need for decarbonisation, increasing financial costs, and the institutional challenges of comprehensively e…
Responsibility While Protecting
In the evolution of the ‘responsibility to protect’ (R2P) doctrine, the most significant recent development has been the ‘responsibility while protecting’ (RWP) proposal as put forward by Brazil in September 2011, with a more detailed statement in November 2011. The RWP proposal emphasised the use of force as a last resort, and the need to avoid ‘regime change’; it also argued for closer monitoring of the use of force when R2P was invoked. Brazil…
From Vienna to Yogyakarta
Howard's way? Public opinion as an influence on Australia's engagement with Asia, 1996–2007
Using the typology developed by Douglas Foyle, this article argues that John Howard behaved as a ‘pragmatist’ in dealing with situations where public opinion was relevant to Australia's engagement with Asia. Howard adhered to his own views on the relevant issues while attempting to lead public opinion in the direction he believed desirable. During the 1996–2007 period the most relevant issues relating to the impact of public opinion on Australia'…
The Hawke government's policies towards the USA
(1989). The Hawke government's policies towards the USA. The Round Table: Vol. 78, No. 310, pp. 165-176
Harold D. Lasswell and the Study of International Relations
Aukus
The Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) partnership arose because of Australia's need to replace its ageing submarine fleet, opting for nuclear-powered submarines to be built with American and British assistance.Perceptions of a deteriorating strategic situation vis--vis China were a major factor in this decision.Through AUKUS, the United Kingdom will also acquire additional submarines and expand its strategic role in the Indo/Asia-Pac…
ScoMo’s Miracle
Despite expectations of a Labor victory, the Liberal-National Coalition government in Australia was narrowly returned to office in the elections of 18 May 2019. The Coalition campaigned on a status quo platform, whereas Labor promised mildly redistributive policies in the name of fairness. The Coalition’s success is built on its very strong position in Queensland and Western Australia, also picking up two seats in Tasmania. Comparisons with Trump…
Australia’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper
The 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper identifies major themes and recommends preferred strategies in Australia’s engagement with the world. These themes and strategies relate to geopolitics, economics and the ‘new international agenda’; there is also a more specific focus on Australia’s Pacific island neighbours and Timor-Leste. There is a strong emphasis on perceived Australian national interests throughout the document. The geopolitical discussio…
Australia and Brexit
Recalling the debate about Britain’s applications to join the European Economic Community in the 1960s, Australians are now reacting to and assessing the implications of the Brexit vote for Australia. However, the contemporary situation is very different from that which prevailed in the 1960s. The article assesses Australian commentary and reactions to Brexit before and after the vote. Taking account of the various possible versions of Brexit, th…
International Order in Diversity
This is an important book directed to a key issue in the study of international relations (IR), but using the Indian Ocean region as the means for addressing that issue. As the title of the book in
New Approaches to Human Security in the Asia-Pacific
Australia and the British military withdrawal from east of Suez
(1997). Australia and the British military withdrawal from east of Suez. Australian Journal of International Affairs: Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. 183-194
Seychelles
China ups the ante
China ups the ante: the new Chinese security agreement with Solomon Islands." The Round Table, 111(3), pp. 453–454
Australia’s bushfire crisis
Australia burns. Or, more accurately, large areas are burning or have burnt. As of mid-January 2020, 10.7m hectares had burned, equivalent to 80% of England; about 3000 homes had been destroyed, at
Edward Gough Whitlam, 1916–2014
Gough Whitlam’s political significance lies in the first instance in his leading the Australian Labor Party into office at federal level in December 1972 after 23 years in opposition. As prime minister he instituted wide-ranging domestic reforms expanding the involvement of the Commonwealth government into many areas affecting the lives of ordinary Australians. He faced a declining economic situation and a parliamentary opposition determined to i…
The Australian Army from Whitlam to Howard
Australia and North–South Political Relations
North–South issues as such do not figure prominently in Australia's international policy but are mostly implicit. These issues arise particularly in the context of Australia's relations with countries in its immediate vicinity, including the South Pacific, Indonesia and East Timor. There are also some global issues in the North–South context where Australia is affected. Australian governments, in developing policies relating to this context, have…
The Security-Development Nexus
The focus of this article is the relationship between security and development in East Timor and Solomon Islands. External intervention occurred in East Timor in 1999 and 2006, and in Solomon Islands in 2003. Intervention was effective in restoring order in these situations in the short term, but questions remained about long-term strategies for achieving security. Although “development” is proposed as the best way to attain security broadly defi…
The Evolution of Australia's Defence Policy in relation to Malaysia-Singapore, 1964–1971
Australia's defence commitment in Malaysia-Singapore is of long standing. In the 1920's and 1930's non-Labour governments in particular had seen the Singapore base as the linchpin of Australian security. Despite Singapore's failure to play this role during World War II, the Malaysian area continued to play an important role in Australian defence thinking in the post-1945 period. Australia began participating in the ANZAM arrangement in 1949, and …
The Wilson Government and the British Defence Commitment in Malaysia-Singapore
Important decisions relating to the British defence commitment in Malaysia-Singapore were made during the term of office of the Wilson Government. The Labour Party came to power in Britain at the height of the Malaysia-Indonesia confrontation. At the end of confrontation in 1966 there were over 90, 000 people working for the British Services in the Malaysia-Singapore area. By April 1970 this number was down to 43, 500, with a virtually complete w…
On What There Must be
The Australian Labour Movement and the Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1939
The Sino-Jap??ese war which began in July 1937 led to a variety of reactions within the Labour movement in Australia. On the one hand there were those who were implacably opposed to Japanese actions in China, and who supported the anti-Japanese boycott campaign and various embargo actions in protest. On the other hand there was the less well publicised, but none the less widely held view that Australia should remain free of all foreign entangleme…
Harold D. Lasswell and the Study of International Relations
The Hawke government's policies towards the USA
(1989). The Hawke government's policies towards the USA. The Round Table: Vol. 78, No. 310, pp. 165-176
The French Caribbean during the Mitterrand Era
The Indian Ocean commission
(1994). The Indian Ocean commission: Regional cooperation in the South‐West Indian ocean. The Round Table: Vol. 83, No. 332, pp. 455-467
Australia and the British military withdrawal from east of Suez
(1997). Australia and the British military withdrawal from east of Suez. Australian Journal of International Affairs: Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. 183-194
Indian ocean regionalism
Approaches to regionalism in the South‐west Indian Ocean have been strongly influenced by the economic and political circumstances of the polities of the region. The position of Mauritius, the Seychelles (both independent Commonwealth states) and Reunion (a French overseas department) is briefly reviewed to establish the pespectives from which they approach regionalism. In large part this is to do with furthering their own economic interests in a…
Australia and Asia‐Pacific Security Regionalism
Australia and Asia‐Pacific Security Regionalism
Both the Hawke and Keating Labor governments (1983-96) gave some attention to the development of Asia-Pacific as a means of strengthening the regional focus in Australia's security policies. While the rhetoric has changed, in terms of substance the Howard coalition government has continued many of the policies of its predecessor. At the same time, this government has had to adjust to the changed circumstances in Indonesia, and particularly the cr…
Asia-Pacific Security Regionalism
Australia ́s Peacekeeping Role in the Post‐Cold War Era
Introduction In the post-COLD WAR era, has become an important feature of international politics. This is set out under Chapter VII of the United Nations (UN) Charter, which states that intervening forces are authorized to use all necessary means to achieve the objectives of peace and security in a particular situation. During the Cold War, peacekeeping had mostly been based on Chapter VI of the UN Charter. Peacekeeping forces played a role in im…
Conflicts in the Southwest Pacific
In recent years the two major conflicts affecting the island countries of the Southwest Pacific have been in Bougainville and Solomon Islands. After reviewing the ways in which these conflicts have developed, this article asks whether any of the new perspectives in security studies are relevant to these situations. The broadening in scope suggested by terms such as ‘comprehensive security’ and ‘human security’ is helpful in this respect. Some of …
Intervention in Solomon Islands
From the late 1990s Solomon Islands had been moving towards the status of a ‘failed state’. Corruption was widespread and there was considerable resentment expressed by Guadalcanal people towards immigrants from the neighbouring island of Malaita, because of the perceived economic gains made by the latter at the former's expense. Conflict over this issue led to the coup of 5 June 2000 and the installation of a pro‐Malaitan government. Australia a…
Australia and the Commonwealth
The Empire–Commonwealth played a key role in the evolution of Australia's international position. However, the post-1960s Commonwealth has only been of minor significance for Australia. The Commonwealth provides a backdrop for a number of Australia's bilateral relationships, the most important of which are those with Britain, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Canada, India, Malaysia and Singapore. The multilateral context provided by the Commonwealt…
Australia and Commonwealth Southeast Asia
Australia has historical links to the contemporary states of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei through the British Empire and Commonwealth. While Australian relations with these countries in more recent times have been influenced by a range of factors, the Commonwealth connection remains significant. Politico-cultural tensions complicated the Australian relationship with Malaysia during the Mahathir era from 1981 to 2003. Nevertheless, the substanti…
Insecurity in oceania
During the Cold War security concerns in Oceania were predominantly state-centred, involving such issues as ‘strategic denial’ in relation to the USSR, French nuclear testing and the Kanak demand for independence in New Caledonia. In the post-cold war era ‘comprehensive security’ provides a useful framework for assessing security in Oceania. This framework covers various issues, including political and societal security (particularly failing stat…
Intervening” in the Neighbourhood
Australia's position as a western country on the edge of Asia has long attracted comment. Within this broad context, Australia's position adjacent to the third-world situation of the southwest Pacific and eastern Indonesia has been a particular issue of concern for Australian governments. The region immediately adjoining Australia has been described as 'Australia's neighbourhood. With many conflicts affecting this region terms such as arc of or a…
Foreign Policy Studies in Australia
Australian contributions to foreign policy analysis have focused mainly, but not exclusively, on the study of Australian foreign policy. Contributions have been made not just by political scientists, but also by historians, journalists and practitioners. While some Australians have made theoretical contributions that are relevant to understanding foreign policy, the emphasis in the study of Australian foreign policy has not been strongly theoreti…
The Security-Development Nexus
The focus of this article is the relationship between security and development in East Timor and Solomon Islands. External intervention occurred in East Timor in 1999 and 2006, and in Solomon Islands in 2003. Intervention was effective in restoring order in these situations in the short term, but questions remained about long-term strategies for achieving security. Although “development” is proposed as the best way to attain security broadly defi…
Howard's way? Public opinion as an influence on Australia's engagement with Asia, 1996–2007
Using the typology developed by Douglas Foyle, this article argues that John Howard behaved as a ‘pragmatist’ in dealing with situations where public opinion was relevant to Australia's engagement with Asia. Howard adhered to his own views on the relevant issues while attempting to lead public opinion in the direction he believed desirable. During the 1996–2007 period the most relevant issues relating to the impact of public opinion on Australia'…
Foreign Policy and International Relations from an Australian Perspective
Australia's engagement with its ‘near abroad’
Under the Labor government of 2007–10, Australian policies towards the Pacific island states, East Timor and Indonesia showed a large measure of continuity with the policies pursued by the previous conservative Coalition government. This continuity is to be explained by the fact that the problems in the region did not change significantly; there was a large degree of consensus in Australian politics about Australian objectives in the region, but …
Political science (69 works) · Law (55 works) · Law (48 works) · Politics (39 works) · Economics (36 works) · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs (33 works) · Geography (29 works) · Sociology (29 works) · Development economics (21 works) · Political economy (21 works)