Good International Citizenship: The Case for Decency (Monash University Publishing, March 2022)

Why should we in Australia, or any country, care about poverty, human rights atrocities, health epidemics, environmental catastrophes, weapons proliferation or any other problems afflicting faraway countries, when they don't, as is often the case, have any direct or immediate impact on our own safety or prosperity? Gareth Evans' answer is the approach he adopted when Australia's foreign minister. He argues that to be, and be seen to be, a good international citizen - a state that cares about other people's suffering, and does everything reasonably possible to alleviate it - is both a moral imperative and a matter of hard-headed national interest. The case for decency in conducting our international relations is based both on the reality of our common humanity, and a national interest just as compelling as the traditional duo of security and prosperity.

From G. John Ikenberry's review for Foreign Affairs:

In this inspiring and deeply reasoned book, Evans makes the case for a foreign policy that binds the interests of one's country to the well-being of the wider world. Building on ideas first advanced during his years as Australia's foreign minister, from 1988 to 1996, Evans argues that a state's "good international citizenship" can be pursued in four general ways: through the generosity of its foreign aid, through its responses to human rights violations, through its reactions to genocide and its aftermath, and through its contributions to addressing existential global dangers, such as global warming and nuclear war.

From Graeme Dobell's review for ASPI The Strategist:

It's an achingly apposite moment for one of Australia's finest foreign ministers to ponder morality in foreign policy. He mounts the case for 'the boy scout' stuff ... The intellectual judo throw on the realists is that morality is itself a core national interest that can support and advance geopolitical and prosperity purposes. Australia's leaders need to be both idealistic and pragmatic ...

From John Shaw's review for Washington Diplomat:

If you are looking for an example of a contemporary global statesman, Gareth Evans of Australia is a compelling candidate... He here makes a forceful and persuasive case that nations should conduct themselves honorably and cooperatively to tackle the daunting problems that confront the world... "Good International Citizen" is powerful and persuasive. The benchmarks Evans uses and his plea for a "cooperative mindset" are applicable to middle powers but also major powers such as China and the United States.

From John Langmore's review for The Round Table: Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs

During this era of intensified nationalism and growing geopolitical uncertainties it is unusual for a leader of foreign policy to publish a book focused on their own nation's ethical and political responsibilities to other countries... This most recent book is a delight and inspiration... persuasive, succinctly written and illuminated with detailed, relevant examples.

From Derek McDougall's review for AIIA Australian Outlook:

Gareth Evans has done it again, this time with an excellent contribution to Monash University Publishing's "In the National Interest" series. The writing is succinct while also conveying a good level of detail, particularly in the analysis of Australia's record ... and has many sharp insights. The book provides a useful overview of a key set of issues in Australian foreign policy, helpful to both Australian and non-Australian readers seeking a better understanding of these issues.

From Alison Pert's review for ANZSIL Perspective:

It might be thought that good international citizenship is a quaint, almost quixotic, ideal given how times have changed since the heady multilateral days of Hawke and Keating. ... Evans would firmly respond, however, that good international citizenship is needed now more than ever. His book is a timely reminder of, as he puts it, "our common humanity".

From Mercedes Page's review for Australian Foreign Affairs:

Evans concludes it's not too late for the nation to become a good international citizen again and sets out - sharply and succinctly - how leaders can gain support for a more expansive and idealistic foreign policy.

From Alison Broinowski's review for Australian Book Review:

Over the course of a long and distinguished public life, Gareth Evans has held fast to his conviction that as individuals aspire to personal decency and moral behaviour, the same should be replicated among nations… Having consistent 'purposes beyond ourselves' (Hedley Bull's expression, which Evans recalls) is an investment in the soft power on which a middle-sized country like Australia depends.

The book can be purchased here

Incorrigible Optimist: A Political Memoir (Melbourne University Press, 2017) xiii + 402 pp

‘Gareth Evans's career serves as an inspiration on how a spirit of optimism coupled with a keen insight for the art of the possible can create real positive change...The man that emerges is truly one of Australia's leading figures and one of the world's great internationalists.’ - KOFI ANNAN

‘Like its author, this book - a must read for anyone interested in Australian and international politics - is lively, at times "in your face", with no holds barred.’ - BOB HAWKE

‘This is a memoir with a purpose. Its timely defence of politics and public service is required reading for anyone seriously interested in Australia and our place in the world.’ - GEORGE MEGALOGENIS

The Memoir can be purchased from MUP here

Some comments:

"For decades, Evans has cut a striking figure on the global stage. As a scholar, activist, politician, and Australia's minister for foreign affairs from 1988 to 1996, Evans has been a charismatic and indefatigable presence, rallying the forces of internationalism to work toward genocide prevention, conflict resolution, social justice, and nuclear disarmament. In this revealing, even heartwarming memoir, Evans looks back and reflects on the great issues that shaped his passions and defined his career" - JOHN IKENBERRY, Foreign Affairs

"...crackles with wit, self-deprecating humour and illuminating insights into both politics and the complexities of public policy" - NORMAN ABJORENSEN, Sydney Morning Herald

"...a vividly articulated account of life in and after politics, passionately argued and richly anecdotal...a lucid, brilliant political memoir" - PETER CRAVEN, The Weekend Australian

"compelling new political memoir, destined to be a standout...Evans is in a different league. His memoir brims with intellectual clarity and substance infused with national and international experience in policy-making" - TROY BRAMSTON, The Australian

"a rollicking good read; a big life of outright fun by a man who leaned in" - GERALDINE DOOGUE, ABC Radio National

"In this political memoir, Evans covers a wide range of policy issues, from education and industry to war and nuclear disarmament. In a style that is nimble, witty, thorough and precise, Evans takes the reader through the business of high-level policy-making" - Books + Publishing

"One of the funniest political memoirs I've read - full of laugh out loud stories - JON FAINE, ABC Radio The Conversation Hour

"This dense summary of a notably successful political life is as good as you'll find" - ROBERT SOLOMON, Federal Gallery

Some videos and podcasts:

"Incorrigible Optimist: A Political Memoir", Gareth Evans in conversation with Michelle Grattan

"Eat, Drink and be Literary", Gareth Evans in conversation with Laura Tingle on Incorrigible Optimist: A Political Memoir

"Incorrigible Optimist: A Political Memoir", Gareth Evans in conversation with Michael Kirby

Some reviews:

Nayan Chanda's review for Global Asia

John Ikenberry's review for Foreign Affairs

Christopher Hill's review for International Affairs

Troy Bramston's review for The Australian

Ramesh Thakur reviews for Asia & The Pacific Policy Society and Australian Outlook

Graeme Dobell's review for ASPI The Strategist

Peter Craven's review for Weekend Australian

James Walter's review for Australian Book Review

Norman Abjorensen's review for Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times

Robert Solomon's review for Federal Gallery

Alison Broinowski's review for Sydney Morning Herald

Inside the Hawke-Keating Government: A Cabinet Diary (Melbourne University Press, 2014) xvii + 414 pp

‘A joy to read. Fascinating in its wealth of detail, Gareth Evans’s first-hand account is utterly absorbing. Some of the exchanges are gems, as is the book as a piece of political history.’ ALAN RAMSEY

‘The irrepressible Gareth Evans doesn’t hold back in a diary that records the day-to-day achievements and frustrations of ministerial life and is bitingly frank about colleagues.’ MICHELLE GRATTAN

‘Gareth Evans at his best - sharp, compelling and revelatory’ - PAUL KELLY

The Diary can be purchased from MUP here

Peter Craven's review for The Australian

Nick Richardson's review for the Herald Sun

Jonathan Green's review for the SMH/Age

David Day's review for the Australian Book Review

Denis Atkin's report for the Courier Mail

Tony Wright's report for the SMH/Age

Nuclear Weapons: The State of Play 2015 (with Ramesh Thakur and Tanya Ogilvie-White co-authors), Canberra, Centre for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, 2015, xxv + 304 pp

An updated and expanded edition of the report first published in 2013,  describing the world’s progress - or lack of it - in meeting the commitments and recommendations of the 2010 NPT Review Conference, the 2010-12-14 Nuclear Security Summits, and the 2009 Eliminating Nuclear Threats report of the Evans-Kawaguchi International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.

Like its highly-praised predecessor, the 2015 State of Play report - launched in Geneva, Vienna, Washington DC and other world capitalsin March and April 2015 - is a comprehensive analysis of current issues in nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, security and peaceful uses, and will prove an invaluable  information resource and advocacy tool for policymakers and civil society activists.

Available online here