Canadian foreign politics: is there any chance of making headway in preserving the liberal international order?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The US has signaled a retreat from its efforts aimed at promoting nation-building and protecting human rights and democracy worldwide, while China has yet to demonstrate any commitment to embracing the human rights and democracy aspects of the liberal international order (LIO). Canada, a traditional American middle power ally, has been navigating its place in the relationships between two competing powers, China and the US, while attempting to preserve the LIO. Canada cannot afford to unilaterally take coercive measures against China toward protecting human rights and democracy: it is too dependent on trade, investment and science-related collaboration with China. Canada can, however, promote a less unilateralist, more globalist attitude toward international politics. It can play a more active role in improving the work of the existing multilateral institutions and emerging partnerships, while also contributing to shifting the US foreign policy priorities toward more collaborative solutions and approaches in international affairs.