Occupying the “Other”: Australia and Military Occupations from Japan to IraqRobin Gerster, Christine de Matos In late 1945, Australia eagerly put up its hand to join the American-led military occupation of war-devastated Japan: the old enemy was still hated, yet the Australian involvement was motivated by ideals of democratic reconstruction rather than retribution. In the age of Iraq, when Australia has again participated in a US occupation of a “rogue” non-Western state humbled in war, it is time to consider troubling questions surrounding the nation’s engagement in contentious overseas occupations. Can Western conceptions of democracy be imposed militarily on other societies? To what extent has Australia’s willingness to support the United States been an expression of independent policy-making or meek acquiescence in the neocolonial imperatives of the global superpower? How do occupations differ? When does “intervention” become “occupation”? To what extent are entrenched cultural attitudes to race and religion a factor in decisions to occupy, and on how these occupations are perceived at home? And how has the Australian media influenced public attitudes to these ventures? This collection of essays by leading Australian academics and commentators places Australia’s historical role as an occupier on the critical map. Now, as the country juggles complex national, regional and international alliances and obligations, this conversation is as compelling as it is belated. |
Other editions - View all
Occupying the "other": Australia and Military Occupations from Japan to Iraq Christine De Matos,Robin Gerster No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
accessed activities Affairs Afghanistan Agreement Allied American armed Army Asia August Australian authority BCOF Bougainville British cent claims colonial commander Commonwealth constitution continued correspondents cultural defeated domestic workers early East economic empire example forces foreign former gendered global groups History Howard independence interests intervention interviewed involved Iraq Iraqi issue Japanese John journalists killed Korean Kurds largely liberal major March masculinity military missions November Occupation of Japan October official operations Pacific Papua New Guinea parties peace Philippines political position postwar presence Press Prime Minister RAMSI References regional relations relationships remain response rhetoric role Second September situation social soldiers Solomon Islands South sovereignty Studies Sydney Terror Timor troops United women World York