Dr Joakim Eidenfalk1
1University Of Wollongong, Australia
Biography:
Dr. Joakim Eidenfalk is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wollongong. He teaches and researches in the areas of conflict and security studies, foreign policy, leadership, and international relations theory. He has published in journals including Foreign Policy Analysis, Contemporary Security Policy and the Cambridge Review of International Affairs.
Abstract:
Australia has in recent times found itself increasingly concerned over China’s growing influence in the Pacific. However, it has at times, struggled to convince the Pacific nations to side with Australia, rather than with China. A key reason for this is Australia’s stance on climate change and how that is viewed negatively in the Pacific nations. This study will analyse how Australian leaders attempt to build trust with, on the one hand, the Pacific nations themselves, and, on the other hand, the Australian domestic audience. A theoretical model on how leaders attempt to build trust will be applied on the last two Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese to demonstrate how they attempted to balance the need to defend their climate change policies, while also building trust as a security partner. The model will do so by focussing on the leaders’ trust-building in the areas of integrity, competence and responsiveness. The analysis illustrates two different approaches to building trust at home and to winning the hearts and minds of the Pacific nations in the growing regional geopolitical battle with China.