Australia’s Pursuit of an Independent Foreign Policy Under the Whitlam Labor Government: The Achievements and Limitations of a Middle Power

Chen demonstrates how the pursuit of foreign policy independence repeatedly placed the Whitlam Government in a position wedged in between Australia’s traditional allies and the Third World; and how it navigated Australia’s national interests on a series of dilemma situations.

Changwei Chen is Associate Professor of Diplomacy and Foreign Policy at the School of International Studies, Peking University. His research interests include the diplomatic history of China, the United States and Australia. He has authored three books and contributed to numerous publications, including Historical Research, The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History, The Australian Journal of Politics and History, History Australia, and The Journal of Australian Studies.