Strategic liberalism and Kiwi maximalism

Abstract

In recent decades a new international structure has emerged, dramatically increasing the incentives for co-operation. New Zealand should capitalise on this by adopting a new foreign policy paradigm. It should consider a new approach — strategic liberalism — as the foundational underpinning of New Zealand’s foreign policy. Bonded to ‘Kiwi maximalism’, it would provide a wellspring for visionary objectives that New Zealand could adopt. It might aim to transcend major regional security issues through a reinvigorated push for disarmament across the Asia–Pacific region and by acting as a catalyst for improved United States–China relations.