Navigating a New World, Canada's Global Future

I just completed reading the book "Navigating a New World, Canada's global future" by Lloyd Axworthy. Mr. Axworthy was Canada's minister of foreign affairs, 1996-2000, and is now head of the Liu Institute for Global Issues. The book describes Canada's recent political actions in a variety of global issues related to human and environmental security, framed within a long-range vision of how the world should be shaped, essentially in Canada's/EU's image of a multicultural federation.

As a newcomer to global political activism, I found the book to be an eye-opener from a number of perspectives. Insider stories of Canada's leadership in the creation of the landmines treaty, the ICC and the "responsibility to protect" report illuminated the workings of formal and informal international political forums. Tales of visits to Uganda, Peru, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, and Mongolia provide eye witness accounts of international attempts to improve human rights and environments in poor countries. Glimpses into the workings of the Canadian government, the UN, the WTO and other multi-lateral organization complete the introduction. To someone who wants to make a difference, this book allows making an informed assessment of what it takes.

A key concern for Canadians is whether it is desirable, or even the feasible, for Canada to chart an independent foreign policy in the shadow of the US. While Axworthy has some occasional warm words for Madeleine Albright and Bill Clinton, it is impossible to ignore ubiquitous anecdotes that demonstrate that the US administration, especially under Bush's leadership, is hostile to any effort that may result in it having to share power with others. This administration's actions are also frequently hypocritical, unethical and illegal, sometimes overtly and unabashedly so. Axworthy feels that, while there is an obvious need to keep a friendly relationship with Canada's burly neighbor, aligning Canada's foreign policy with the Americans would be unwise, since it would force Canadians to support policies to which they strongly object, and which are unhealthy to our planet's long-term future.

Axworthy shrewdly describes the current climate of world politics as a clash between the way of the fanatic and the way of the warrior, both using violence as a tool to get an advantage. He suggests that Canada should explore a third way, the way of the navigator, "seeking out a secure, safe, passage for the passengers on board, mindful of their welfare, skirting the shoals and reefs, working as a team with others making the same voyage." Practically, he suggests that Canada deploy "soft power" towards a collaborative, rule-governed world. He has followed this approach during his government tenure, and sees good evidence that it is effective.

To provide leadership in world governance, Canada, together with other like-minded countries such as Norway, could use the power of example to chart the path for others. Axworthy claims, and supports it with much evidence, that, due to their ingrained open-mindedness and their long experience of being an "honest broker" in international disputes and of dealing effectively with the US, Canadians are uniquely equipped to identify important cross-cultural issues, find creative solutions and form effective alliances with other countries. As other nations accept the wisdom of setting global rules and mechanisms to enforce them, Canada's experience would help point out what rules and what enforcement mechanisms are most effective, or alternatively, what failed. Canada, he writes, can also offer a "sense of quiet optimism about the future".

Using modern communication tools, Axworthy believes it should be possible to "plug individual citizens into a form of direct digital democracy" such that they would feel their voices are heard. Using such tools, he claims it is possible that, within the lifespan of our children, we will see Tennyson's vision of "A parliament of man, a federation of the world/ There the common sense of most shall hold a fretful realm in awe/ And the kindly earth shall slumber, lapped in universal law".

The World Federalist Movement/Association is explicitly mentioned a few times in the book. In particular, Bill Pace is mentioned as a leader in pushing for Canada to step in and act as a catalyst to the formation of the ICC.

After putting the book down, I was curious to see to what degree the current Canadian DFAIT (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade) is following "the way of the navigator". I went to their web site at (www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreign_policy/menu-en.asp) and was practically blown away. I found, for example, direct digital democracy demonstrated by the recently completed "Dialogue on Foreign Policy" with the citizenship (www.foreign-policy-dialogue.ca). Bill Graham, the current minister of foreign affairs, summarized: "A large majority of participants strongly believe that the best way that Canada can advance global security is to continue working within the framework of the United Nations to strengthen a multilateral system based on the rule of law. Yet Canadians also call for reforming international organizations, including the United Nations, in recognition of the need for effective multilateral institutions to serve our own long-term interests and to realize the shared global goods of security, prosperity, justice and environmental sustainability." Roaming to other parts of the web site, more and more evidence accumulated that the Canadian government is in perfect synch with Axworthy's vision, small step by small step helping to advance the world towards an effective federation.

So here's a provocative question for the Canadians members: Does Canada still needs a WFM branch when a substantial section of our government is dedicated to the cause? Would we not be using our time more effectively by directly volunteering to contribute to one of DFAIT's programs?

Any other comments and reactions welcome.

Doron Dekel Toronto

P.S., just before firing off this message, I discovered that Mr. Axworthy (admirably) put up a web site dedicated to direct communication with the book's readers at www.nav-new-world.ca. The site also contains book excerpts.