Australia was born vulnerable. From its beginnings as a precarious convict settlement on the 'other side of the world', through the development of self-governing colonies, to Federation and beyond, recognising and dealing with vulnerability led Australians to embrace an insular attitude to the outside world, which in turn translated into state control over the economy and highly protectionist policies. So how did Australia transform from a protected, insular country to an outwardly focused, globalised one? And why, in the current economic climate, should Australia resist a return to its protec |