I'm shocked. Really shocked.
First, Canada has a foreign policy. That is news to me.
Second, it seems we have "Canadian" values. Like the much taunted "Liberal values" of the Liberal party, no one has ever seen them or heard them, but apparently they are there.
National Post OpEd (http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/11/21/tasha-kheiriddin-on-human-rights-and-foreign-trade-selling-out-or-boosting-liberty/)
So, do we value economics first&foremost, disregarding human rights violation so long as our pockets are filled, do we discuss the issue briefly just to say we discussed it (the Liberal way) or do we strike to achieve a balance?
On this one, I lean toward the Conservative's approach.
Well it is only a draft policy.
But it does seem odd, since Harper since 2006 has taken a different approach from the previous Liberal government and has taken more principles-based decisions (marginally tougher line with China, support for Israel, closed embassy in Tehran).
Cynicism doesn't suit you, Canucks. It's simply not in your DNA.
Canada's foreign policy should be based on a two-power dreadnought standard.
A daft policy is still a policy.
Quote from: Neil on November 22, 2012, 02:24:51 PM
Canada's foreign policy should be based on a two horse power dreadnought standard.
Fixed your error.
edit:
This should suffice:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi423.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fpp311%2Fhairy_apple%2Fatlanta-vs-dbc_sm.jpg&hash=036ccf096327cea055bfa6c06075d364e58a75ff)
:cool:
I gotta say when I heard this story "break" on the CBC I thought of the debate about whether Hobbits killing animals was actually news.
Quote from: viper37 on November 22, 2012, 02:05:53 PM
I'm shocked. Really shocked.
First, Canada has a foreign policy. That is news to me.
Second, it seems we have "Canadian" values. Like the much taunted "Liberal values" of the Liberal party, no one has ever seen them or heard them, but apparently they are there.
National Post OpEd (http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/11/21/tasha-kheiriddin-on-human-rights-and-foreign-trade-selling-out-or-boosting-liberty/)
So, do we value economics first&foremost, disregarding human rights violation so long as our pockets are filled, do we discuss the issue briefly just to say we discussed it (the Liberal way) or do we strike to achieve a balance?
On this one, I lean toward the Conservative's approach.
Ditto.
QuoteAs quoted in the National Post by columnist Michael den Tandt, Trudeau opined that "China, for one, sets its own rules and will continue to do so because it can. China has a game plan. There is nothing inherently sinister about that. They have needs and the world has resources to meet those needs. We Canadians have more of those resources — and therefore more leverage — than any nation on Earth."
What an asshole.
QuoteMr. Trudeau is right. Leverage is what you make of it, and in Canada's case, opening the gates of economic liberty to the Chinese can only help to eventually open the gates of democratic freedoms as well. The most powerful forces of social change come from within.
No, not always, and especially not there.
Can you think of any prosperous country that isn't at least somewhat democratic? After a while, something has to give. Autocratic governments are by their very nature very corrupt, so that puts a ceiling on the prosperity. Sure, China can grow impressively now, but they're still at a low base.
Quote from: DGuller on November 25, 2012, 03:13:29 PM
Can you think of any prosperous country that isn't at least somewhat democratic? After a while, something has to give. Autocratic governments are by their very nature very corrupt, so that puts a ceiling on the prosperity. Sure, China can grow impressively now, but they're still at a low base.
Saudi Arabia? Singapore? Bhutan?
Trudeau is, like his father, dedicated to the destruction of the United States.
Canada values money over values in foreign relations.
In other news, water remains wet, the Pope is Catholic, and bears shit in the woods ... :P
Quote from: Martinus on November 25, 2012, 03:14:46 PM
Quote from: DGuller on November 25, 2012, 03:13:29 PM
Can you think of any prosperous country that isn't at least somewhat democratic? After a while, something has to give. Autocratic governments are by their very nature very corrupt, so that puts a ceiling on the prosperity. Sure, China can grow impressively now, but they're still at a low base.
Saudi Arabia? Singapore? Bhutan?
Good point on the oil kingdoms, but they're one trick ponies. They rely on one natural resource for their prosperity, not human capital or general economic development.