https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-54595120
Australia faces civilian criticism as increased stories of McCarthyism reach the press. In recent times, Australia and China’s once strong ties have deteriorated. At one point, the two countries were close trading partners but China has distanced itself from Australia. This distance not only affected trading but has also come with the addition of cyber security threats and an overall increase in tension. As a result of this turn of events, there have been some concerns raised over potential McCarthyism present in the country. McCarthyism, well known for its stunt in the United States in the 1950’s, is now plaguing the nation. At a Department of Defense meeting, a Chinese-Australian junior advisor was stopped to be photographed. Additionally, in a meeting with the senate to discuss the issues of migrant communities, three Australian citizens of Chinese descent were interrupted and asked to condemn the Chinese Communist Party. I think that this is a very upsetting result of China’s and Australia’s recent separation. Though the country is faced with many economic and security challenges with China as an enemy of sorts, the behavior against their own citizens is very upsetting. I firmly believe that history should be used as a lesson and the United States actively showed the horrors of McCarthyism. It is super sad to see it manifest so many years later. I think that while Australia does need to be on the defense right now, they are only creating more problems for themselves by going after their own citizens in disrespectful ways. Right now, Australia needs to be a united front and this is the farthest thing from that. As far as international relations is concerned, I believe that China is actively transitioning the current Unipolar system into a Bi-Polar one. China is isolating themselves from partners in the east while gradually making connections with nations in the west. I think that the Fluidity of Alliances theory is extremely relevant in this case with Australia no longer serving China’s national interests. China is definitely showing increased hegemonic behavior and is flexing their hold over the area by tossing out relations with China. I think that Australia should be focusing on other allies as well as ways to re-establish their economy instead of pointing fingers at their own citizens with barely disguised racism.