Can Australia have an independent foreign policy within the US alliance essay

Today, Australia has close international relations with its ally, the US. The alliance between the US and Australia goes far beyond the close economic cooperation. The alliance also involves the close military and technological cooperation as well as the coordination of foreign policies conducted by both nations. In such a situation, the question concerning the independence of Australia foreign policies arises because, at the moment, the US is the only superpower in the world. Therefore, critics of the US-Australia alliance (Hundt, 2011) argue that Australia can never stand on the equal ground with the US and, hence, the nation cannot conduct absolutely independent foreign policies. On the other hand, proponents argue that the US-Australia alliance is grounded on democratic principles and, therefore, allows member states conducting independent policies at the international or domestic level, while the coordination of their foreign policies is essential to meet national interests of both allies. To answer the question whether Australia can conduct independent foreign policies being the ally of the US or not implies the accurate definition of the concept of independence in the context of international relations and foreign policies. In fact, independence of the foreign policy of a state, like Australia, implies the free choice of foreign policies by the state, which meet national interests and are not forced upon the country by its ally. In such a context, the US-Australia does not interfere directly into policies conducted by Australia, instead, the two nations coordinate their foreign policies, while decisions are taken on the ground of consensus, i.e. mutual agreement of member states. Therefore, Australia can retain the independence of its foreign policies being a member of the alliance with the US because their alliance is grounded on democratic principles that respect sovereignty of the alliance’s member states.

2 Background of the US-Australia alliance

2.1 Historical context of the US-Australia alliance

2.1.1 The US-Australia alliance during World War II

The US-Australia alliance dates back to the time of World War II, when both nations faced the Japanese threat, when Japan attempted to take control over the Asia Pacific region. Such policies of Japan were the direct threat to interests of both Australia and the US. This is why their alliance was a natural attempt of both nations to unite their efforts in the struggle against their enemy. The alliance had brought benefits to the US and Australia since they had manage to eliminate the Japanese threat and won World War II together with other allies. The alliance established during World War II laid the foundation to the long lasting partnership between Australia and the US and this alliance still persists.

2.1.2 The US-Australia alliance during the Cold War

In spite of the end of World War II, the US-Australia alliance did not break up because, shortly after the end of the war, both nations confronted another global threat, the threat of communism. In such a situation, Australia needed the support of the US and other western allies badly because the nation could not resist to the growing global impact of the USSR on its own. As many other nations during the Cold War, Australia just had to take either side. Naturally, Australia had taken the side of the US, which was the nation historically, culturally, economically, and politically close to Australia.

2.1.3 The US-Australia alliance during the war on terror and current situation

The end of the Cold War raised the question whether the US-Australia alliance is still necessary for both nations. However, the rise of the international terrorism in the late 20th – early 21st century had brought the positive response. However, opponents of the US-Australia alliance (Robinson, et al., 2000) argue that it was the US that had involved Australia in the war on terror and exposed the nation to the threat of international terrorism. In such a context, some researchers (Beeson, 2002) point out that Australia has failed to conduct independent foreign policies and the nation has been virtually forced to support the war on terror.

In actuality, such a view on the Australia’s involvement in the war on terror and its exposure to terror attacks was not the decision imposed on Australia by the US. Instead, Australia and the US also faced the potential threat of terror attacks because international terrorism spread worldwide and Australia could have faced this problem just like the US had faced in 2001. In such a situation, consequences of Australian neutrality in relation to international terrorism are difficult to foresee. If the nation ignored the threat of international terrorism, Australia could become a home country for international terrorist organizations as some other nations had become. Anyway, Australia was free to make the choice whether to support the US war on terror or not. The US did not apply any pressure on Australia, such as military threats or economic sanctions to be introduced, or disruption of political relations, for instance.

Consequently, Australian foreign policy was absolutely independent in this regard.

3 Benefits of the US-Australia alliance for Australia

3.1 International support in case of the aggression of a third part against Australia

The independence of foreign policies of Australia are often considered to be illusory because Australia coordinates its foreign policies with the US. However, such a view on foreign policies conducted by Australia is quite superficial. At any rate, the membership of Australia in the alliance with the US imposes certain obligations on the nation but does not deprive Australia of independence in its foreign policies and decision making process. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that Australia conducts coordinated foreign policies to enjoy benefits of the alliance with the US.

One of the main benefits of such alliance is the international support, including the military support of Australia, in case of the military aggression against Australia. Therefore, if there is any direct threat of the military offence against Australia, the nation can count on the military and other support from the part of the US. In response, Australia also has to grant its support for the US, in case of the military offense against the US. Such mutual support justifies the recent involvement of Australia in the war on terror. Otherwise, there would be no alliance. If Australia refused from the support of the US, it could impose itself to the threat of penetration of international terrorist organizations into Australia and such policies would look like betrayal of its ally, as if the US would refuse to support Australia in the war on Japan during World War II.

3.2 Lower costs on the maintenance of the Australian army

Furthermore, Australia can benefit from the alliance with the US due to the lower costs the nation spends on the maintenance of its army. As Australia can count on the support of the US, the nation does not need large army that saves costs substantially. In addition, the Australian army is highly efficient due to the efficient use of funds. The Australian army could hardly be as efficient as it is not, if the nation had to maintain a larger army. Therefore, the US-Australia alliance meets national interests of Australia.

3.3 International military training and involvement in humanitarian operations

In addition, the Australia army receives an opportunity to take part in the international military training. Moreover, Australia takes part in humanitarian operations sponsored by the UN and the US. In such a way, the US army receives important and useful experience since Australia may also need the assistance of international organization and its own army in case of emergency, for instance a tsunami. In such a way, the alliance with the US and coordination of its policies is the fair price to pay for the extensive training of the national army.

4 Negative effects of the US-Australian alliance

4.1 The leading part of the US and inferiority of Australia and other allies

Along with a number of benefits, the US-Australia alliance imposes certain obligations and has negative effects on Australia, which actually make many opponents of the alliance to believe that the alliance limits the independence of foreign policies of Australia and the excessive pressure on Australia from the part of the US. However, negative effects of the US-Australia alliance should not be mistakenly taken for the lack of independence of foreign policies conducted by Australia. In this regard, the leading part of the US in the alliance is often perceived as the supremacy of the US that forces Australia to submit its foreign policies to national interests of the US (Chieocharnpraphan, 2011). However, the leadership of the US is determined by the economic, military and political power of the US in the world. The power of the US has nothing to deal with the dependence or independence of foreign policies of Australia because the Australian government decides which foreign policies to conduct. Australia coordinates its foreign policies with the US just as the US coordinates its foreign policies with Australia, when interests of both nations are at stake. They will not conduct foreign polices offensive in relation to each other because they are allie. Such coordination of foreign policies may have its drawbacks but it is not the manifestation of the lack of independence of foreign policies of Australia.

4.2 The exposure of Australia to international risks associated with the alliance with the US

Another negative effect of the US-Australia alliance is the involvement of Australia in military operations and conflicts launched by the US or conflicts, where the US takes part in. However, such involvement is the result of mutual obligations of the US and Australia and they also serve to protect national interests of Australia as well as national interests of the US. Anyway, it is Australia that takes the decision on the involvement in any military conflict or the war on terror. The US is the superpower that conducts aggressive foreign policies, while Australia is a regional leader. This is why the US often takes the lead and makes the first step, while Australia follows the US’ lead. However, such relations between allies should not be misinterpreted as the lack of independent foreign policies conducted by Australia.

5 Principles of the US-Australia alliance as the basis for the independence of Australian foreign policy

5.1 Sovereignty of member states

The independence of foreign policies conducted by Australia is guaranteed by the major principles of its alliance with the US. To put it more precise;ly, the US and Australia are democratic countries and their alliance is grounded on the mutual respect of sovereignty of each other. Therefore, they do not interfere in policies conducted by each other. Instead, they may just coordinate their actions in their foreign policies to reach goals, which are beneficial for both the US and Australia. In fact, the US will not push on Australia to conduct foreign policies, which do not meet national interests of Australia but are beneficial for the US. Instead, the US respect sovereignty of Australia as Australia respects the sovereignty of the US.

5.2 Mutual support and protection of national interests

Another fundamental principle of the US-Australia alliance is the mutual respect and protection of their national interests. One of the main objectives of the creation of the alliance between the US and Australia was the protection of their national interests. As the US has interests in the Asia Pacific region, which may expose the US to a threat of the offence, as was the case of Japan in World War II, then the US naturally need a powerful ally in the region, such as Australia. Similarly, Australia needs the reliable and strong ally to resist to possible external threats and the US is the choice of Australia so far. Both countries provide help and support of each other, in case of the aggression or threat to national interests.

5.3 Consensus principle in decision making process

Furthermore, the decision making process involves consensus principle, which implies that all decisions taken by the allies are coordinated and agreed upon. There are no one-sided decisions being taken by the allies. This means that Australia conducts independent foreign policies due to the application of the consensus principle. In fact, the consensus principle allows state members to conduct independent foreign policies, although they have to come to agreement with their allies. In such a way, Australia conducts independent foreign policies but Australia may coordinate its foreign policies in regard to questionable issues. As a result, critics (Curley, Melissa & Moores, 2011) argue that Australian foreign policies depend on the US foreign policies. However, such a view is incorrect or superficial because Australia always has an option to negotiate and to take important decisions on foreign policies which meet interests of both the US and Australia. More important, such decisions are taken on the most important or controversial issues only, while it is the Australian government that determines the strategy of the foreign policy. Therefore, the coordination of the foreign policy of Australia is just a part of the general strategy of the Australian government, which actually takes all the decisions on foreign policies of the country.

5.4 Free choice of membership

Another important principle of the US-Australia alliance is the free choice of membership. In fact, neither party is forced to be a member of the alliance. Instead, they are free to choose whether they are willing to be in the alliance or not. Hence, Australia is not bound to the alliance and, therefore, is free to determine its foreign policy. If necessary, Australia can just abandon the alliance any time. This free choice of membership is another principle that proves the full independence of Australia in its foreign policy making.

6 Alliance vs. neutrality

6.1 Alliance as the basis for the collective defense of member states

At the same time, Australia gains a number of advantages due to the alliance with the US. More important, Australia is still the member of the alliance, which is essential for the maintenance of its security and protection of its national interests. In this regard, the alliance is the basis for the collective defense, which comes into play whenever Australia or the US confronts a threat to their territory, citizens or national interests. As a result, Australia is interested in the alliance. In such a situation, the assumptions that Australian foreign policies are dependent on the US foreign policy are inconsistent because, if Australia suffered from the excessive pressure from the part of the US, the government of Australia could put the end to its collaboration with the US any time.

In stark contrast, the Australian government maintains the alliance with the US because such alliance does not limits the freedom or independence of its foreign policies. Instead, the alliance enhances the national security and protects national interests of Australia. The drawbacks of the US-Australia alliance are reasonable inconveniences, while benefits of the alliance outweigh its drawbacks.

6.2 Neutrality and high risks to the national security

6.2.1 High costs of neutrality

Moreover, toady, Australia does not really have an alternative to the US-Australia alliance. The only alterantive to the alliance is the neutrality of the nation. However, the neutrality of the nation is too costly to maintain. First, Australia will need to enhance its army consistently, if the nation refuses from the alliance with the US, which actually grants the nation with the military support, in case of the military offence or any other substantial threat to national interests of Australia. The maintenance of a larger and stronger army needs more costs. In such a way, the neutrality of Australia can potentially become an unbearable burden for Australia, while positive effects of such neutrality are questionable. At any rate, it is unclear whether Australia could fully protect its national interests with the support of the US, which is the only superpower in the world at the moment.

6.2.2 Neutrality difficulties in defending national interests in the globalized world

Therefore, neutrality raises problems concerning the efficient defense of national interest of Australia in the globalized world. Today, nations tend to create alliances, while there are only a few neutral countries, which are likely to face considerable problems, in case of the military offence or other aggression. At the same time, the independence of foreign policy is not actually a question for nations joining international alliances, if they are created on principles of democracy.

In such a situation, neutrality is likely to raise difficulties and new threats which can affect the independence of foreign policies conducted by Australia. What is meant here is the fact that, if Australia has to choose between the alliance with the US and neutrality, to conduct its foreign policies independently, the alliance is definitely the better option, while neutrality creates more threats than advantages. For instance, face to face with numerous threats, Australia may fail to resist to the further spread of international terrorism in South-East Asia, which may affect its national interests too. Furthermore, Australia may face considerable economic problems, if the nation decides to enhance its army after breaking up with the alliance, while the economic and military weakness will make Australia vulnerable to foreign influences. Hence, the country may be unable to conduct independent foreign policies.

7 Conclusion

Thus, the US-Australia alliance is beneficial to Australia in terms of the enhancement of the national security in face of the threat of a large scale military offence against Australia. On the other hand, today, the US-Australia alliance has rather negative than positive effects on Australia involving the nation into the war on terror, for instance. However, the US-Australia alliance does not affect independent foreign policies conducted by Australia because the fundamental principles of the alliance lay the foundation to the mutual respect of sovereignty and independent foreign policies conducted by the member states.

The leadership of the US is grounded on its major contribution to the allies, its military and economic power. However, Australia shares similar democratic values as the US do. In addition, Australia cannot be forced to change its foreign policies to meet interests of the US because Australia is free to break up the agreement with the US and its allies any time. Moreover, member states coordinate their foreign policies and elaborate common decisions on the ground of consensus. Australia has the right to reject any policy launched by the US, for instance.

In fact, effects of such a decision will be rather negative than positive and put under a threat the further independence of the foreign policy conducted by Australia because the nation will refuse from the support of the major power in the world, the US, as well as its numerous allies. On the other hand, Australia has to take into consideration the fact that there are no major threats to the territory and national interests of Australia from the part of other states. In such a situation, the military and international political support of the US is unnecessary for Australia but the situation may change any time and Australia can never be certain in policies of its neighbors and other states, in case Australia breaks up its alliance with the US.