Wild colonial ploys? Currents of thought in Australian foreign policy

This article proposes a new method of mapping domestic preferences and thei r effect on Australian foreign policy from the perspective of three distinc t 'currents of thought' flowing through Australian society and policy maker s about Australia and the world. Traditionalism prioritises security relati onships with 'great and powerful friends'; Seclusionism stresses autarky an d minimal international involvement; Internationalism advocates a creative, multilateralist role in building international stability and prosperity. A currents of thought approach, by looking for an underlying motivation for Australian foreign policy actions, assists in understanding the policy's in tent, identifying its supporters and detractors, and in anticipating what t ypes of policy responses will be motivated by different international stimu li. It is also useful for further understanding the underlying processes be hind the broad changes of direction in Australian foreign policy.