Canada’s functional isolationism and the future of weapons of mass destruction

ID:	HARP-430
Title:	Canada’s functional isolationism and the future of weapons of mass destruction
Source:	International Journal , v.54(1) Wint’98/99 pg 120-142
Parties:
Dispute Resolution Organ:
Year:	1999
Pages:	0
Author(s):
Keywords:	Canada, human rights, United States, civil and political rights, security, liberty, national defence
Abstract:	HELPING TO CONTAIN AND TO REVERSE THE PROCESS OF `HORIZONTAL’ proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is the most important security challenge facing Canada and the world community. Twenty-first century international security relations should comprise four elements: international security community-building through redistributive assistance; and the widespread inhibition and elimination of military capabilities for aggressive warfare under an ever-widening regime of verified self-restraint; ever more reliable arms control and disarmament verification that leads quickly towards disassembled `virtual’ nuclear arsenals; and, finally broadly collaborative, collective security enforcement of the world’s emerging anti-WMD norms. The threat of WMD can be tamed only through co-operative international measures. A closer, more intimate security relationship with the United States is inescapable – but that alone may deter responsible, out-ward-looking military reform in Ottawa. A Canadian retreat into hemispheric isolation militarily would only support those conservative forces in the United States who argue for American strategic disengagement from the world’s troubles. Deciding to try to do something useful and responsible about proliferation and the rising risk of the use of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons would be a large and innovative step for any Canadian government. It would require farsighted political leadership able to develop a national consensus on political and strategic objectives. Clear goals for stability enhancement would have to be related to plausible and collectively affordable foreign aid and military capability. The temptation to yield to domestic political inertia and short-term economic self-interest is powerful. Without skilled, strategically sensitive leadership to explain how an active Canadian role might help to achieve radically improved international security, public support for military spending will remain low.
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