In his critical analysis of the geopolitical economy of Australia., Erik Paul establishes causal links between the neoliberal state and violence within society and Australia's external aggression as part of the US imperial project in Asia. Australia plays a major role in the urban and industrial transformation of East Asia, as a key provider of the region's needs for mineral, energy and food, but is largely dependent on Anglo-American investments for its export income and economic growth, and social wellbeing and cohesion. With US strategy aiming for regime change in China and Australia's future as a nation state closely linked to the US national interest and ruling elite, the author is forced to question whether Australia should move away from the profoundly anti-democratic nature of neoliberalism by reclaiming the state for the common good.