Owen Harries

Owen Harries was a renowned Australian academic, editor, and writer, known for his work in the fields of International Relations, Geopolitics, and Strategic Studies. He was a prominent figure in the Australian National University and the University of Sydney, and his writings were widely published in esteemed journals such as The National Interest and Foreign Affairs. Harries' work was heavily influenced by the ideas of Carl von Clausewitz, Henry Kissinger, and George Kennan, and he was a strong advocate for a Realist approach to international relations, often citing the works of Hans Morgenthau and Kenneth Waltz. His academic background was shaped by his time at University of Oxford, where he was exposed to the ideas of E.H. Carr and Martin Wight.

● Early Life and Education

Owen Harries was born in Australia and spent his early years in Sydney, where he developed a strong interest in History and Politics. He pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney, where he was influenced by the teachings of Professor Julius Stone and Professor John Anderson. Harries then moved to England to pursue his graduate studies at the University of Oxford, where he was exposed to the ideas of Professor Hedley Bull and Professor Adam Roberts. During his time at Oxford University, Harries was heavily influenced by the works of Isaiah Berlin, Michael Oakeshott, and Leo Strauss, and he developed a strong interest in the fields of International Relations and Strategic Studies, often referencing the works of Thucydides and Sun Tzu.

● Career

Harries' academic career spanned several decades and included appointments at the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He was a visiting scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he worked alongside prominent scholars such as Jeane Kirkpatrick and Irving Kristol. Harries was also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and he participated in numerous conferences and seminars organized by these institutions, including the Aspen Institute and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His work was widely recognized and respected by his peers, including Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Samuel Huntington, and he was a frequent contributor to journals such as Foreign Policy and The National Interest.

● Editorship and Writings

Harries was the editor of the National Interest from 1985 to 2001, during which time he published numerous articles and essays on topics related to International Relations and Geopolitics. He was a strong advocate for a Realist approach to international relations and was critical of Idealist and Liberal approaches, often citing the works of Hans Morgenthau and George Kennan. Harries' writings were widely published in esteemed journals such as Foreign Affairs, The American Interest, and The Weekly Standard, and he was a frequent contributor to newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. His work was influenced by the ideas of Carl von Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, and Mao Zedong, and he was a strong advocate for a Strategic approach to international relations, often referencing the works of Antoine-Henri Jomini and B.H. Liddell Hart.

● Awards and Recognition

Harries received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to the field of International Relations. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2001 for his work as the editor of the National Interest, and he was a recipient of the Bradley Prize in 2005. Harries was also a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he received honorary degrees from the University of Sydney and the Australian National University. His work was widely recognized and respected by his peers, including Condoleezza Rice, Robert Gates, and Joseph Nye, and he was a frequent participant in conferences and seminars organized by institutions such as the Brookings Institution and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

● Personal Life

Harries was a private person who kept his personal life out of the public eye. He was married to his wife, Susan Harries, and had two children, Emily Harries and James Harries. Harries was a strong advocate for the importance of Classical Education and was a supporter of the Liberal Arts. He was a frequent visitor to Europe and Asia, and he had a strong interest in the History of Europe and the Culture of Asia, often referencing the works of Edward Gibbon and Arnold Toynbee. Harries passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most prominent and respected scholars in the field of International Relations, with his work continuing to influence scholars such as John Mearsheimer and Robert Kagan. Category: Australian academics