America, like Great Britain, has played a substantial role in shaping Australia. It’s often said that Australia relies heavily on the United States for support and guidance, and the relationship between the two countries has mostly been one-way. However, if we take an optimistic view, we can see that our ties with the United States have been largely positive and beneficial.
American involvement in the World Wars has not only contributed to our freedom but also to our current prosperity. Additionally, the contributions of Hollywood and Broadway have enriched our lives through exceptional movies and entertainment. From a political standpoint, although the United States and Australia have different origins, there are similarities worth exploring. Our framers of the constitution were inspired by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, choosing the term “Commonwealth” as a significant name for our federation. Australia can sometimes be considered a “crowned republic,” finding a compromise between constitutional monarchy and a U.S.-style presidential republic.
There are other subtle connections between Australia and America, such as the similarities between the American “Wild West” and Australia’s pioneering societies. Both nations experienced Gold Rushes, had thriving harbor cities, and saw adventurers seeking new opportunities. Even today, Sydney and San Francisco share a special affinity as world centers of gay pride.
When it comes to crime rates, it is evident that America has a higher rate of violence compared to Australia. Although Australia has its fair share of crime, America’s rates are considerably higher, especially in some urban areas. Comparisons to other countries with higher crime rates, such as Mexico, Venezuela, South Africa, and Congo, put the situation into perspective.
The major difference between Australia and America lies in their experiences with war. Australia has seen little conflict compared to America, with Gallipoli being a significant event in our history. We have been more passive learners in our alliance with America, struggling to fully comprehend the country’s vast diversity and often falling victim to cultural myopia. We sometimes fail to understand the variety of opinions and trends in America, relying on U.S. media without considering alternatives. This was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when we followed our state and federal governments’ strict anti-pandemic strategies without fully considering opposing viewpoints from Republican states and medical authorities. Nevertheless, our relationship with America has been fruitful, even if our faith in American exceptionalism has wavered.
In conclusion, America has been a significant influence on Australia, just as Great Britain has. While our reliance on the United States has been largely one-sided, our ties have generally been positive. The contributions of America to our freedom, prosperity, and entertainment industry cannot be ignored. However, we must also recognize our tendency to borrow from larger nations rather than developing our own perspectives. Despite some disillusionment, there remains respect and affection for America in Australia.