Singing from the same song sheet: paradiplomacy and federalism in an era of weaponised interdependence

ABSTRACT

Australian State governments have maintained overseas trade and diplomatic engagements, a practice known as ‘paradiplomacy’ for well over a century. In 2020 the Federal Government abruptly moved to restrict the practice, establishing oversight and creating a Ministerial veto power. Why did this sudden shift occur? This article reviews the under-studied history and contemporary practice of paradiplomacy in Australia. It explains and analyses the 2020 shift as a response to fears of weaponised interdependence within an evolving strategic environment. The article shows the legislation has advantages yet is insufficient to resolve the political challenges and reflects an unprecedented desire for control. The article then argues the lack of scholarship on paradiplomacy reflects a prevailing ‘methodological nationalism’ and argues this should be re-considered to help think through how the new strategic environment is shaping Australia’s national institutions and policies.

过去的一个多世纪里，澳大利亚州政府一 直从事着海外贸易和外交——所谓类外交。2020年联邦政府对此加以限制，实施监管，设立了部长否决权。为什么会突然发生这样的转移？本文对缺少研究的澳大利亚类外交历史及当代实践做了梳理。2020年的变化可以理解为，是对一种正在形成的战略环境中武器化的相互依赖关系感到了恐惧。 本文认为，立法是有益的，但却不足以解决政治上的挑战， 而且折射出前所未有的控制欲。在作者看来，对类外交研究的缺失反映了通行的民族主义方法论，需要对此有所反思以更好的理解新的战略环境如何形成澳大利亚的体制和政策。

KEYWORDS:

• Paradiplomacy
• Australia
• federalism
• weaponised interdependence
• methodological nationalism
• diplomacy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrew Ossie Carr

Andrew Ossie Carr is a Senior Lecturer in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University. His research focuses on Strategy, Middle Powers and Australian Defence Policy. He has published widely in outlets such as the Journal of Strategic Studies, Australian Foreign Affairs, The Washington Quarterly and Meanjin. He has books with MUP, OUP and GUP.