In many respects, Australia behaves as if it were still a colonial dependency. Our policies on foreign affairs, trade, human rights, and the environment seem to be uncritically allied to those of the United States. Alison Broinowski argues that Australia's development as an independent nation has stalled, and warns that behaving like the schoolyard bully's errand-boy has earned Australia a reputation for being ready to 'kiss up and kick down'. Broinowski shows how being so closely identified with current American policies harms Australia's interests, and how the United States alliance actually endangers Australia more than it protects us. But she remains optimistic that Australia may at last be turning in the direction of genuine independence. Allied and Addicted challenges many of the assumptions of conservative policy-makers, and highlights the need for informed choices in the debate about Australia's place in the world.