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Overturning the Point: Exploring Change in Australian–Asian relations
Author(s) -
Sobocinska Agnieszka
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
history compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.121
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 1478-0542
DOI - 10.1111/hic3.12177
Subject(s) - historiography , causation , turning point , teleology , politics , mode (computer interface) , epistemology , political science , history , sociology , period (music) , aesthetics , law , philosophy , computer science , operating system
Abstract The historiography of Australian–Asian relations is punctuated with numerous ‘turning points’. This article explores the ramifications of ascribing change in Australian–Asian relations to single events. It suggests that this mode encourages ahistorical and teleological interpretations and has implications for contemporary politics. Instead of looking for ‘turning points’, this article suggests that explaining shifts in Australian relations with Asia requires historians to analyse cultural changes over the long term and calls for a broader debate about causation in international relations, both within and outside the discipline.