Abstract: For some observers, particularly among foreign policy analysts, one of the more interesting and refreshing aspects of the foreign policy review launched by Mr Trudeau in May 1968 was the new emphasis placed on interests and capabilities, as the governing factors in framing policy objectives and priorities. The new tone was immediately apparent in Mr Trudeau's statements. Realism ... should be the operative word in our definition of international aim, he stressed. All of us need to ponder well what our capacity is ... for participating effectively in international affairs; ... above all [we must] see that our policies in the future accord with our needs and resources, with our ability to discharge Canada's legitimate responsibilities in world affairs.1 Familiar notions of Canada's role as a middle power, middleman, or helpful fixer, or of influence as a policy objective were to be discarded or at least their significance or usefulness were to be questioned. The link between foreign and domestic policy was emphasized and so was the dependence of foreign policy on popular attitudes and beliefs. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that new attitudes would be found, at home and elsewhere, to give the necessary leeway to advance Canadian objectives. The term national interest(s) was used to sum up the goals of Canadian foreign policy. In the words of Mr Trudeau: These arc the aims then of our foreign policy, to serve our interests,
Publication Year: 1971
Publication Date: 1971-03-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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