Grand Strategy: A Canadian Perspective

• In Event: Canadian Foreign Policy in a Shifting Global Context

Abstract

Much has been said about the turbulent times of the new millennium. Change seems to be the only constant – and even on a global basis. Under such conditions, the system-leading US is faced with many challenges to the longstanding world order based on democracy and capitalism. The question this paper takes on is the following one: What should be the Canadian position on a grand strategy for the coalition of states identified with the US? How might Canadian foreign policy be revised in light of rising threats from revisionist states, most obviously Russia but perhaps China as well, toward a greater overall positive effect? These and other questions will be given tentative answers via policy analysis. The method used for policy analysis will be graphic in nature. Systemism, an approach toward visualization of arguments, will be implemented to put forward a Canadian perspective on grand strategy. A systemist diagrammatic exposition will enable competing and complementary arguments to be engaged with each other more effectively than in words alone.

Author

• Patrick James, University of Southern California