True or False?

[Platypus]

*sigh* from Australia.

America is big, and whether we like it or not, the center of the Universe, basically. Whilst I can get far within Australia, in some areas America is the pinnacle, because of population, etc.

Now that's not to say that in some things it is actually preferable to be an Aussie. In terms of trade with Asia, Australians are usually favoured, even in countries like Malaysia. Australia isn't in the same league as the US, but like Canada is a middle power. Middle powers have three key factors:

1. The are sucessful in general, but excel in some areas, usually relating to internation economics/diplomacy.

2. They are internationalist, but have strong national sentiment.

3. They are not concerned with comparing themselves to superpowers, and have realistic expectations that they can't be, but ARE concerned with bettering their situation. They don't have thje luxury that a major or superpower has, of dominating world affairs, but they do have high 'mobility' and are increasingly becoming important players on the world diplomatic and economic stage.

My international studies teacher would be filthy with my wording, but basically hats how Australia operates in the world, and to a slightly lesser extent, countries like Thailand, South Africa and Canada.