The Yegiora Files

In 1976, Premdas, a prominent scholar, published a seminal article in the Australian Journal of International Affairs, shedding light on the foreign policy options available to newly independent nations. His insights played a crucial role in understanding Papua New Guinea's (PNG) initial foreign policy choices as it embarked on its journey towards nationhood. In this article, we explore the three key foreign policy options that PNG considered, the factors that influenced its decision-making process, and how economic interests ultimately shaped its foreign relations. The Three Foreign Policy Options As PNG gained independence, it faced critical decisions about its place in the international arena. Premdas identified three primary foreign policy options open to the country: Isolationism: The first option was isolationism, which involved a policy of staying aloof from international affairs and maintaining minimal interaction with other nations. Non-alignment: The second option was n...

In the realm of international relations, various scholars have explored the concept of liberal internationalism, aiming to transform global interactions into models of peace, freedom, and prosperity akin to those experienced within constitutional liberal democracies. Among the different branches of liberalism, one that stands out prominently is commercial liberalism, which seeks to foster free trade between states. In this blog post, we will delve into the core principles of commercial liberalism, its benefits, and how it has influenced trade agreements between nations. Commercial liberalism, as defined by Griffiths, O'Callaghan, and Roach, centers on the idea of facilitating unhindered trade and commerce across state borders. The underlying assumption is that increased economic interdependence between nations reduces the likelihood of resorting to armed conflicts and raises the cost of doing so, thus promoting peace and stability on a global scale. Free trade is characterized by t...

As students, we often encounter various assessment tasks during our academic journey. These tasks serve as vital measures of our learning outcomes, contribute to our personal growth, and shape our path towards achieving our goals. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of supplementary assessment tasks and shed light on the guidelines set forth by the academic policies at our esteemed institution. This statement aims to provide clarity on when and why supplementary assessment tasks are offered to students, ensuring equitable opportunities for all. Academic Policies on Supplementary Assessment Tasks According to the Assessment Policy outlined in Section 4.16, lecturers have the discretion to permit students to re-submit individual assignments if it appears they have not grasped the task requirements. The intention behind this provision is to ensure students receive a fair chance to demonstrate their understanding and achieve the learning outcomes of a particular unit. It is e...

In the realm of policy-making, Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces an opportune moment to harness the potential of the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index as a valuable resource. The current scores across various measures are a cause for concern, as PNG finds itself ranked last among 26 Asian countries in comprehensive power, economic capability, military capability, future resources, defence networks, and diplomatic influence. The need for strategic action becomes even more apparent as smaller nations like Sri Lanka boast marginally higher scores in critical areas. To tackle these pressing challenges head-on, PNG must strategically concentrate on enhancing its defence networks. A promising avenue lies in actively pursuing the Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US and a Security Treaty with Australia. If successfully implemented in the near future, these agreements hold the potential to bolster PNG's score in defence networks, fostering a stronger and more resilient regional alliance netw...

Today, I want to discuss an essential aspect of our academic journey - the integration of social media platforms into our learning process. I understand that some of you may have concerns or reservations about this approach, and I want to address them while shedding light on the benefits it offers. First and foremost, your opinions matter. If you have any issues with using social media for academic purposes, I encourage you to share them with me. Whether it's a personal decision or specific challenges you face, rest assured that any information you provide will be handled with utmost confidentiality. Additionally, if your concerns involve sensitive matters such as cyberbullying or revenge porn, and you feel uncomfortable discussing them via email, please feel free to see me in person. To ensure fairness and adherence to academic policies, all assessment tasks with social media components have undergone approval processes by both the Department and Faculty. Quality assurance is a pr...

Developing countries like Papua New Guinea (PNG) should prioritize addressing non-traditional security concerns, particularly transnational crime such as drug trafficking, specifically the production and distribution of methamphetamine. PNG has gained recognition as a transition point, destination, and production hub for methamphetamine. Photo from Post Courier Efforts have been made by various investigative agencies to combat this issue. In 2021, an inter-agency investigation team, comprising the US Department of Homeland Security, Australian Federal Police, the Royal PNG Constabulary, and the PNG Customs Services, conducted a raid on November 16. The operation led to the arrest of Australian national Jamie Pang, who was found with a meth lab in his hotel room. Surprisingly, he was not charged under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1954, as this law does not prohibit the production, sale, or use of methamphetamine in PNG. The raid on Pang's hotel room was a result of extensive surveillance...

In the context of the Indo-Pacific security narrative, China has been consistently portrayed as a security threat by Australia and other regional powers. However, it is important to recognize that Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) hold a different perspective. These minor powers focus more on non-traditional security concerns, such as human security and environmental issues, as articulated in the Boe Declaration. From their standpoint, China is seen as a development partner rather than a security threat. To understand PNG's position, it is essential to examine its relations with Australia and China since gaining independence. Initially, PNG formulated a foreign policy of "Universalism," driven by the desire to diversify its relations and reduce dependence on Australia, its former colonial administrator. However, Australia continued to exert significant influence through aid and trade, and the country remained closely tied...

The Biketawa Declaration, signed by member states of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in 2000, was a regional security agreement aimed at addressing security issues collectively in the Pacific region. Its predecessor, the Boe Declaration, was signed in 2018 and similarly emphasized the importance of regional security. Both agreements marked a shift in thinking about security. In this review, we will compare the Biketawa Declaration and the Boe Declaration, examining elements of continuity and change. We will discuss the use of the principle of non-intervention, the protection of human rights, and regional cooperation as key elements of continuity. Both agreements stress the respect for the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of member states. However, there have been instances, such as the regional assistance mission to the Solomon Islands, where member states intervened in the domestic affairs of another member state, raising questions about the practical application ...

Foreign policy analysis encompasses various hallmarks, as discussed by Hudson. One crucial hallmark, relevant to our current topic, is the multilevel approach. Hudson explains that decision-making factors in foreign policy are clustered into three levels: individual, state, and system analysis. At the individual level, Goldstein emphasizes the impact of influential leaders and individuals on shaping historical events and foreign policy outcomes. He argues that every international event is a result of decisions made by individuals, making the individual level of analysis agent-oriented and actor-specific. Breuning builds upon this concept, focusing on leaders and decision-makers in foreign policy analysis. She highlights the significance of studying their personalities, beliefs, and values as factors influencing foreign policy decisions. Understanding these enduring qualities enhances our comprehension of what motivates decision-makers. Minister Pato's statement in the National Refu...

State Level of Analysis: At the state level of analysis, the focus is on internal factors that drive states to adopt specific foreign policy behaviors. This perspective considers various elements within the state that shape its foreign policy decisions. Factors examined include the institutional framework of the state, such as the dynamics between the executive and legislative branches, the organization of the government bureaucracy, and whether the state operates as a democracy. Domestic constituencies, such as interest groups, ethnic groups, and public opinion, are also taken into account. Additionally, economic conditions and the state's national history and culture are considered in shaping foreign policy. According to Pevehouse and Goldstein, the state level of analysis involves studying the combinations of individuals within states that influence state actions on the international stage. This includes examining the role of interest groups, political organizations, and governm...

Within the framework of Papua New Guinea's Vision 2050, Pillar 4 puts forth two crucial statements regarding international relations that carry immense importance. These statements serve as a compelling argument for the necessity of acquiring knowledge about various international relations theories. Firstly, it underscores the need for Papua New Guinea's foreign policy to align with its national interest. This implies that the decisions and strategies adopted in the international arena should reflect the goals and aspirations of the nation as a whole. It is essential to ensure that the actions taken on the global stage are in line with the long-term interests of the country and its citizens. Secondly, the pillar emphasizes the importance of fostering bilateral relations with other countries and relevant international organizations. This entails actively engaging and collaborating with foreign entities to establish mutually beneficial partnerships. By strengthening ties ...