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So here's the idea. Canada and Australia already have seperate states. If they joined, they would each still be states. That is, if Australia joined with the United States, then be would be 57 or 58 states, not 51.
The benefits? Well freedom of movement for a start. All those British who long for Sydneys sunny skies, or Americans who want to live with lower crime and healthier air etc. wouldn't need to fit into the immigration 'points system' Australia has.
The entertainment industries of America and Australia has been cross fertilising for a while now. (Aussies all over U.S. TV, U.S. productions like The Matrix, Xena etc. made in Australia and New Zealand) That would be easier.
American companies could have outlets within cooee of developing markets in South East Asia, by setting up shop in say Darwin easier.
I don't know what other benefits there would be. Any suggestions?
Greater political and economic unity?
I think for Australia and New Zealand it's quite important in the face of The European Union, an Asian bloc forming, and talk of an African bloc. Where would Australia latch onto? Asia? There is resistance from nations like Malaysia to Australias involvement in the region even now.
For America, would they join a latin American bloc, while England joins Europe?
How much does geography play in unity, and how much language and shared origins?
As Epona noted there are strong reservations in England about grafting into Europe, and New Zealand still has hangups from the ANZUS days, despite there being a movement (which Russel Crowe is a part of) that seeks New Zealand unification with Australia.
Every Canadian I meet though, has high regard for the Commonwealth. In America, the many Canadians I've met feel more affinity with me - another citizen from the Commonwealth - than they do Americans. Something I found unusual given the geography factor, and something which leads me to believe that shared origins are quite powerful.
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