Bridging the political and global governance gap: A two‐step approach to Canadian foreign policy

Abstract

Set against the backdrop of Canada's recent International Policy Statement, this article outlines an approach to Canadian foreign policy‐making in two steps. The first consists of an analysis of the political and substantive governance gaps that have emerged in the international system. The political gap consists of two fault lines in the international environment: the growing political gap between members of the G77 and the G8 (particularly the US), and the arguably increasing tensions between the US and many of its traditional allies. The substantive governance gap consists of three dimensions: normative, technical and institutional. Both of these gaps – political and substantive – are ones that Canada, by virtue of its geographic location, domestic expertise, political heritage, and success as a pluralistic democracy – is well positioned to bridge. The second step consists of outlining how Canada might – in practical terms – bridge the two gaps identified. The article therefore offers a short discussion of three inter‐related levels of policymaking (strategic, operational and tactical), which can be used to identify clear objectives, measurable benchmarks, and the means through which they might be most efficiently achieved. Two illustrative examples are provided in the areas of diplomacy and development (two of the three ‘Ds’ outlined in the IPS): Canada's engagement in Peru to strengthen democracy from June 2000 on; and the need to address the role of natural resources in conflict and, particularly, postconflict environments. These not only provide tangible examples of possible future policy directions, but also make explicit how the three dimensions of global governance are relevant to Canada's international policy‐making more broadly.