ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the origins, evolution, significance and future of the military alliance between the United States (US) and Australia known universally as 'ANZUS'. It discusses some of the key factors which, for over fifty years, have shaped, interpreted and applied the aims and aspirations of the distinctive mutual defence agreement to the real world of shifting threats, changing strategic balances and the democratic uncertainties of domestic politics. The book looks comparatively at the range of political, geopolitical, governmental, social, economic, cultural and historical values, institutions and trends evident in the two nations. It assesses the cogency of arguments for the strength of individual agency in the story of the Australia/US alliance. The book also assesses the future of the ANZUS Treaty into the new millennium, partially in the context of Australia as a 'middle power'.
