Canada in World Affairs

Abstract

A legacy ofthe Canadian Institute of International Affairs (CIIA) that still rewards scholars, students, and others is the incomplete and defunct series, Canada World Affairs. Readers invariably learn more about Canada's past external relations, particularly how policies and events were understood by contemporaries. Beyond their value recalling parliamentary, press, and public opinion, these books have been distinguished by their analytical quality. Evaluations by historians, political scientists, economists, and one professor of international law, written with a view to timely publication - an often elusive goal - have shaped interpretations or simply provided distinct insights. Before commenting on individual volumes, it is important to put this ambitious project its context and to consider its demise.While the CIIA honoured its mandate of public education, collaborating with the Royal Institute of International Affairs, the League of Nations Society, and the Institute of Pacific Relations, its major publishing endeavours began a decade after its founding when it published Canada Looks Abroad by R. A. MacKay and E. B. Rogers, and Canada Today by F. R. Scott.1 Also 1938, its research committee approved a project modelled on the Royal Institute's A Survey of International Affairs.2 Neither Canada Looks Abroad nor Canada Today was part ofthe subsequent series, but those books, along with Canada and the Law ofNationsby Norman MacKenzie and Lionel Laing, were regarded by the research committee and by the initial authors as the foundation upon which Canada World Affairs was constructed.3Canada World Affairs was never the CIIAs only publication. In 1939, books and pamphlets became available under the banner Contemporary Affairs.4 One year later, still before Canada World Affairs debuted, Behind the Headlines was begun. After occasional reinventions, it was recently discontinued by the Canadian International Council. The CIIA also published unique works, including The Military Problems of Canada by C. P. Stacey, among numerous specialized studies.5 In 1946, International Journal, which became its flagship publication, was distributed to CIIA members and other interested readers Canada and abroad. Over the years, International Journal has established a deserved reputation for excellent scholarship and informed commentary on diverse subjects, often thoroughly examined thematic issues, relevant to Canada's international relations. It seems apt to assess Canada World Affairs its pages.The fate of Canada World Affairs was linked to that of the Canadian Annual Review of Public Affairs (1901-38), which resurfaced 1961 as the Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs, with a chapter devoted to Canadian foreign and defence policies. The first volume ofthe revived series covered events the year before publication, an accomplishment that continued until the account of 1972 was published 1974.6 That coverage and promptness challenged the unique contribution of Canada World Affairs, particularly as its later authors consulted the Canadian Annual Review (and the relevant chapters ofthe reviews for i960 to 1965 inclusive were written by former authors from Canada World Affairs).7 There remained a role for analysis spanning more than a year, but it was difficult still to regard the CIIAs series as indispensable. It also was afflicted by performance problems with designated authors and the economics of Canadian scholarly publishing. Several books were written by substitutes enlisted when an earlier choice, for personal or professional reasons, failed to produce. By 1973, the CIIAs situation was verging on disastrous terms of membership and finances, with an unfortunate but likely inevitable impact on the viability of its ambitious publishing program.8The CIIA tempted fate with volume 13, when it listed future authors and periods. Of those then listed as in preparation, none ever appeared. …