Edited by Terry G. McGee and David W. Edgington
2004, Centre for Australian Studies, Institute for Asian Research

This book examines the relationship of both countries to the Asian region from the perspective of the opening years of the millennium. Australia and Canada share many similarities, including the importance of agriculture and mineral resources, as well as federal systems of government. Over the last 20 years or so both countries have been impacted by powerful forces of globalization, and in particular by the development of trade, investment and immigration linkages with the countries of northeast and southeast Asia. In 1997 and 1998 the Asian financial crisis led to sudden instability in the region and provided an opportunity to examine the various implications of developments in Asia and their relationships with Australia and Canada. With an emphasis upon comparative contexts, the essays in this volume consider a number of relevant themes, including the challenge of addressing human rights in Asia, trade and economic relations, immigration and multiculturalism, and metropolitan responses to globalization.