Abstract
Like everything else in his prime ministership, John Howard's foreign policy is a study in discipline and focus - and the focus is domestic politics. That is the strength of his leadership and its weakness. He has shown great skill in riding the current of public opinion. But if there is more to political greatness than winning elections, Howard has to show he can lead public opinion in new directions. Howard's international objectives have been defined and pursued within a framework set by his sense of electoral opinion. He never allows his international ambitions to slip the constraints of his domestic agenda. He has never been prepared to spend political capital at home to achieve diplomatic objectives abroad.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 13pp |
| No. | 23/12/2004 |
| Specialist publication | The Sydney Morning Herald |
| Publication status | Published - 2004 |