An Overview of Australia towards Globalization

When people mention the country Australia, what comes directly to mind? Usually
the familiar response for most people nowadays are the animal kangaroo, the
infamous Opera house in Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Outback,
popular Hollywood actors Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, and generally the place
they would refer to as the Land Down Under.
True to its clich slogan, Land Down Under, the geographical location of Australia
is situated at the southern hemisphere together with New Zealand and other
islands, which are also part of the Asia Pacific region. It is the only country that
governs an entire continent [1].
According to BBC News U.K., Australia is the sixth largest country in terms of land
mass, its population are mostly living in near coastlines [2] and majority of the land
in the middle region are desert or what is called outback, an uninhabited dry land.
The weather conditions are typically very dry and hot, however in the nearby
coastlines and non-dry land, there is amount of rainfall and its proper utilization of
water helps fertilize the land.

History
The countrys first settlers were called the aboriginals, that came from Asia. They
were spread out across the mainland. By 1770, Captain James Cook together with
Botanist Joseph Banks explored the territory and claimed it for the British [3]. As a
colony of the British, there were many changes involving the land. During the
British-American War in 1800s, the land was used for exiling criminals and convicts.
At the turn of the new century, the federation for Australia was born inexplicably
since it had remained loyal to the throne of the British. Through World War I and II,
the country was devastated due to the losses and debts set from the war. The
imposition of reconstruction was prioritized and the entry of USA for protection had
been instrumental. As part of the rebuilding, the policies of migration had been
changed and many migrants from the postwar have settled into different part of
Australia.
The timeline of the Australian history can be viewed in this link.

The Entry of Globalization

As a country colonized in the early years, the cultural aspect of the British
dominance has been widely known and highly regarded. Further, the development
of the federation and effects of the World War had introduced them to the global
stage with clear nation building. The subjects of economic, political and social
aspects have been aligned towards the Western ideologies and concepts. As a
result, Australia has been considered one of the wealthiest nations in the world [4].

The entry of globalization has been invested despite the geographical seclusion.
According to Jane Jacobs book,
the phrase edge of empire refers to Australias geographical isolation from the
centers of empire in the global North
Pertinent here is Australias awkward global position as an outsider on the inside.
Australia is and isnt Eastern. It is part of but also apart from the Asia Pacific region.
Australia is Western and was a former British colony, yet it is not part of the USA or
Europe. It is thus rather tangential to the dominant West. [5]

Simply put, even with the distance set afar from the West, Australia has been
established as a Western power and globalization has been the center of this
development.
The brief video will help you give an idea of Australia towards globalization.

Economic Globalization
Australia uses the currency Australian dollar and in 2006, the nations economy has
been the 12th largest in the world, with the 5th highest per capita income in the
world [7].
Below is a snapshot of the economy by the numbers.

GDP: $649.9 billion

Inflation rate: 2.7%

Exports: $103 billion; major items include coal, iron ore, non-monetary gold,
crude petroleum, and beef

Export partners: (2004) Japan, China, US 8.1%, South Korea, New Zealand

Imports: $119.6 billion; major items include passenger motor vehicles, crude
petroleum, computers, medications, and telecommunications equipment

Import partners: (2004) US 14.8%, China, Japan, Germany, Singapore

The vast amount of natural resources and agriculture are the sources of growth of
the economy where it fruits labor in the export industry. The primary resources are
raw materials, such as minerals (iron ore, coal and uranium) and produce (wool,
wheat, rice and beef). The trade industry has also exerted its efforts in opening to
the foreign market. Trade was historically limited to Britain and the nearby European
counterparts. With the progress of globalization, the economy has expanded to
trade with USA and Asia, particularly Japan and China.

The stages of globalization in the economy was not all smooth and has drawn
significant negative changes as well. Importation of products was one of the key
factors for the struggle. Local industries in manufacturing were well documented
whereas the labor was moved to Asia. The wage of the laborers played a key role as
the cost of standard of living was higher compared to those in Asia. [8] Aside from
importation, the rising of inequality among the population became inevitable. Below
is an excerpt in terms of the inequality.
The gap between rich and poor in Australia is widening. In 1995, the richest 1 percent
garnered 5 percent of the national income; now it's 9 percent Polls also indicate
that the culture has become more materialistic. Advertisements last month here for
the $148,500 Cayman S sports car read: "Porsche's new baby. An excellent reason to
delay yours. [9]

This phenomenon is not just happening in Australia, but the rest of the world is also
experiencing this change.
Political globalization
The British colonization was the start of the political influence in Australia. The
institution of the federal parliamentary system under the Commonwealth where the
chief of state is the Queen while the head of the government is the Prime Minister.
The post-world war led to the strong relationship ties with USA while still keeping
loyal to the British. As an independent nation with multicultural identities, it has
truly helped establish to become a supporter of international relations thus opening
to the globalization of the nation.
One of the biggest contribution in line with global interest was the aid of the Boxing
day tsunami in Indonesia last 2004.
The Australian government pledged a $1 billion package to Indonesia, specifically for
use in the Aceh region, which was the worst Indonesian region affected by the
tsunami. The $1 billion consisted of $500 million in aid and $500 million in loans for
the rehabilitation of the communities destroyed by the disaster. [10]

Notwithstanding the growth of Australia in the market, there were turbulences that
occurred in the government sector. The issues on inequality, poverty and taxation
were being challenged and the two-way political system needed to be changed. The
Labor political party had reformed the government into fair and polarized account of
the policy-making process. The domestic politics of globalization in Australia has
involved efforts by policy-makers to open Australia to world political economic
pressures and force domestic economic and political adjustment. The best that
governments can do is to foster increasing self-reliance and self-provision. [11]
Social Globalization
The main language used is English, similar to the Western language. Though some
Australians may speak other languages, it is this language that unifies the people.

But the most significant element of globalization in Australia is the diversity and
multiculturalism. Due to the huge flow of migrants following the World Wars I and II,
as confirmed by the article from Daily Mail UK, one of four Australians are
foreigners. [12] The different cultures were brought and shared amongst the
countrymen. The globalization of the social interaction is continually growing and
quite possibly dominating the culture around Australia. This maybe one of the
setbacks as it might restrict for other cultures to be developed in the society.
Despite the distance from Western world, the advancement of communications has
been huge as it made it accessible for the Australians to connect with the rest of the
world with Internet and satellites. The installation of fiber wired cables was one of
the projects delivered and its service brought faster connections to users in
Australia.
Impact of globalization in Australia to the rest of the world
Globalization, as characterized, is the stretching of social, political, and economic
activities across the political frontiers so that events, decisions, and activities in one
region of the world come to have significance for distant regions of the globe. [13]
The Australian influence in globalization has placed a huge footprint into the world.
Its impact exists on an international scale with the following contributions:

Economy: GDP: $649.9 billion

Resources: It is the top exporter of raw materials, such as minerals (iron ore,
coal and uranium) and produce (wool, wheat, rice and beef) to USA, Europe
and Asia.
International Relations: It is one of the top donors to under developing
countries where disasters have occurred. Whenever possible, they will
provide the necessary contributions for rebuild.

In conclusion, Australia, the place called the land down under, is not just living
under the map but has gone well over and beyond its so-called land by means
of globalization. In keeping their loyalty with the British and aligning with the
Western ideologies, the country will continue to mark its impact throughout the rest
of the world in terms of social, economic and political platforms.
References:
1. Edugate website. Introduction to Australia.
http://www.edugate.com.au/introduction-to-australia/
2. BBC News UK. Country profile.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-15674351
3. The Australian History Timeline.
http://www.aushistorytimeline.com/

4. Edugate website. Introduction to Australia.

http://www.edugate.com.au/introduction-to-australia/
5. Jacobs, J., (1996). Edge of empire: Postcolonialism and the city. London,
Routledge: New York.
6. Skwirk education. Globalisation in Australia.
http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-57_u-507_t-1374_c-5292/globalisation-inaustralia/qld/sose-geography/the-global-citizen-ecology-andeconomy/globalisation
7. Edugate website. Introduction to Australia.
http://www.edugate.com.au/introduction-to-australia/
8. Skwirk education. Globalisation in Australia.
http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-57_u-507_t-1374_c-5292/globalisation-inaustralia/qld/sose-geography/the-global-citizen-ecology-andeconomy/globalisation
9. Arnoldy, Ben. Australia at the crossroads of globalization. March 2006.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0307/p01s03-wogi.html
10. Skwirk education. Globalisation in Australia.
http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-57_u-507_t-1374_c-5292/globalisation-inaustralia/qld/sose-geography/the-global-citizen-ecology-andeconomy/globalisation
11. Conley, Tom. Globalisation and Rising Inequality in Australia Is Increasing
Inequality Inevitable in Australia?.
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/apsa/docs_papers/Others/Conley.pdf
12. Irvine, Jessica. Australia's demographic details will shock you: Almost half of us
are foreigners, or their children. The Sunday Mail QLD. Jan. 25, 2014.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/jessica-irvine/australiasdemographic-details-will-shock-you-almost-half-of-us-are-foreigners-or-theirchildren/story-fnj45kvd-1226810413762
13. McGrew, Anthony. Globalization and global politics., 16-18.