Key Takeaways:
- The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States signals a shift towards regional spheres of influence rather than a global liberal order.
- Canada needs to reflect on its position in the world and define its capabilities, interests, and obligations.
- The country should adopt a doctrine of "lead by example" to advance its interests and values.
- Canada should focus on demonstrating the benefits of being a pragmatic liberal democracy by succeeding at home and marketing itself to sympathetic countries.
- A strong economy and domestic political unity are essential to Canada’s influence abroad.
Introduction to a New World Order
The recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States marks a significant shift in the global landscape. While Maduro’s regime has been notorious for its human rights abuses and political repression, the US actions in Caracas should not be viewed as a simple extension of its global policing efforts. Instead, it signals a move towards regional spheres of influence, where the US prioritizes its own backyard over other regions, such as Ukraine or Taiwan. This shift has significant implications for Canada, which must now navigate a more fragmented world.
Canada’s Position in the World
In this new world order, Canada needs to reassess its position and define its capabilities, interests, and obligations. As a middle power, Canada is neither large enough to act unilaterally nor small enough to eschew responsibilities. The country has a set of national interests, including opening new markets for trade and asserting its sovereignty in the Arctic. However, as a liberal democracy, Canada also wants to nurture and protect democratic values around the world. With the US withdrawing into its own hemisphere and European countries facing internal challenges, there will be a dearth of countries advancing this cause.
A Doctrine of "Lead by Example"
To address these challenges, Canada should adopt a doctrine of "lead by example." This means demonstrating the full benefits of being a pragmatic liberal democracy by succeeding at home and marketing itself to sympathetic countries. Canada should pursue clean economic growth, bold solutions to social problems, and grand projects in technology and infrastructure. By doing so, the country can show the world that democracy, rule of law, and human rights are still effective and do not conflict with its capacity to build great things and uplift its most disadvantaged citizens.
Economic Policy and Foreign Policy
Under a "lead by example" framework, the distinction between economic policy and foreign policy becomes blurred. A strong economy is essential to Canada’s influence abroad, and vice versa. The country needs to show the world that it can build a dynamic and equitable economy, which will give it the international standing to fill some of the vacuum left by an erratic US and a struggling European Union. Canada has several advantages, including a larger fiscal room than many European countries, a history of excellence in basic research and development, and relatively dynamic labor markets.
Practical Applications
In practice, Canada’s "lead by example" doctrine means initiating formal multilateral coalitions among like-minded countries to stand up for shared values and interests. This could involve reaching out to countries like Britain, Germany, and Japan to support Ukraine, issuing joint statements of condemnation when necessary, and opening up the possibility for limited, co-operative military operations without US leadership. Canada should also develop agreements with its closest allies to condemn violations of its sovereignty and promise to do the same in return.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Canada must demonstrate to the world the tangible benefits of its values and aim to position itself as a first among equals within the Western-aligned countries. While the country may not be able to lead by force, it can still lead by example. By adopting a doctrine of "lead by example" and focusing on its domestic strengths, Canada can advance its interests and values in a more fragmented world. As the US and European Union struggle to maintain their influence, Canada has an opportunity to fill some of the vacuum and become a more prominent player on the global stage.
