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ARTICLE ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT

Canada is a participant in many international bodies. Many analysts view is position as

bold with precise emphasis on its status as well as responsibility both as a mediator and as a

middle power in the international arena. The events of the World War 2 influence the position of

Canada. That period was the beginning of the Canadian diplomacy. The change is linked to some

prominent leaders during that time. This article assesses what influenced the outlook and

response of Canada to some issues in the international bodies.

The writer defines different positions that Canada might take1. The first position is a

knight-errant, which is defined as a professedly disinterested internationalist. The Canadian

mythology gives this definition. The second one is a cold warrior who is a sturdy western

alliance member. The last position is that of a cautious ally who is a wary but cautious follower

of the traditional partners. In this case, the traditional partners for Canada were the United States

and Britain. The purpose of this work and the motivation of the author, therefore, are to

determine how Canada acted and shaped its position.

The Canadian mythology views Canada as a knight errant. It is only in the 1940s that

Canada gained interest in the international matters. The 1940s were a peak in Canadian

international engagement. The foreign policy in Canada according to the foreign ministers and

their advisers in 1945 depict that the foreign policy was based on the UN. The political leaders

1 (Mackenzie 2009, 456)

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invoke the tradition in support of all their initiatives. The involvement of Canada in the UN

expresses this exceptional commitment.

With these considerations, it is evident why very little attention has been paid to

Canada’s role during its first term in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). There is

thorough inquisition of the marginal role of Canada in the development of the United Nations

Charter and its failure to win the first elections in the UNSC when it contended for the first time

than the emphasis that is paid to the participation of Canada as a member of the UNSC. Most

scholars depict UNSC as an inept body in providing collective security. It is overshadowed by

the greater powers especially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). As an alternative,

the North Atlantic Treaty was used. In another case, the study of the cold war in Canada a whole

chapter is devoted to focus on the Canadian foreign policy in the late 1940s but not a single

chapter of the term of Canada in the UNSC.

In September 1947, Canada expressed its concerns in the UN General Assembly (UNGA)

that some issues might emerge that will destroy the United Nations in an established and

conceivable way2.

The unique nature of the Canadian relation with the United Kingdom and United States

complicated its position in the UNSC. The membership was also tricky for Canada, which

observed silence as a foreign policy. Here, the votes are cast openly, and the principles may

translate to policies and the policies to deeds. Notable also, the arguments are broadcast to the

whole world.

During the first term of Canada in the UNSC, minor questions stagnated the UNSC. This

is because the Canadian policy had to align with the stances of America and Britain. There was a

2 (Mackenzie 2009, 455)

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limited participation of Canada in the debates. All these factors resulted in no advance in the

UNSC while Canada was on the UNSC. The UNSC also proved incapable of some other issues

that involved the attention of the world.

However, there were three prominent disputes, which dominated the agenda of the UNSC

and the UNGA. These disputes played a critical role to show the reaction of Canada to the

different situations as a mediator. The three conflicts are the clash between India and Pakistan

over Kashmir, the conflict between Arabs and Jews over Palestine and the rebellion against the

Dutch Colonial rule in Indonesia.

The conflict between the Jews and Arabs over the fate of Palestine after the end of the

mandate of Britain severely divided the allies of Canada. Britain announced the withdrawal of

their forces with or without a settlement3. The Canadian fears in UNSC and UNGA were that the

Soviet Union would meddle in the volatile situation. There was pressure on Canada to serve on

the United Nations Special Commission on Palestine to oversee the transition of Britain. Canada

was reluctant because, in that position, it would criticize the United Kingdom. In the line of this,

the American and British policy limited the involvement of Canada in UNGA and determined

the approaches to the UNSC.

At one time, America sought to intervene under the UN banner4. However, this act would

bring major divisions in the Canadian allies. It also threatened the prestige of the UN and UNSC

as well as the Anglo-American relations. As a result, the Canadian government attempted to

minimize the impact of the blow to the prestige of the UNSC and the UN as a whole.

Nevertheless, Canada decided not to take sides in the Anglo-American conflict. This is a

scenario where Canada is acting as a mediator.3 (Mackenzie 2009, 457)4 Ibid, 458

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During the Canadian term in office, India referred its dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir

to the UNSC. Both parties viewed Canada as neutral and hence a suitable mediator. However,

Canada tried to steer out of this conflict stating that the two countries were members of the

commonwealth. India and Pakistan had earlier disagreed on whether the matter should be taken

to the UNSC or commonwealth. As usual, Canada did not want to take sides5. This is one case

where Canada is a knight-errant.

The other crisis brought to the UNSC while Canada was in term was the rebellion in

Indonesia, which led to its independence from Netherlands. The Canadian Department of

External Affairs (DEA) relied on the friendly powers for advice as well as reports. Although the

result was positive, the crisis revealed the pitfalls of the Canadian diplomacy at the UNGA and

UNSC. Indonesia was finally free from the Dutch rule. Upon the break, the Dutch rule revolted.

Canada stepped in to prevent the UNSC from pressing the Dutch too far6.

The writer concludes that the role of Canada teaches us that we can play a critical role in

matters that do not directly influence us and, which we do not have specialized knowledge.

Canada had a favorable international reputation enhanced by a clean past free of racism or

colonial inclinations. With these factors in consideration, Canada managed to take different

positions when circumstances demanded.

The author of the article is very innovative. He begins by defining the different positions

that Canada might take on several issues. Unbiased, he proceeds to analyze different events and

make plausible conclusions.

5 (Mackenzie 2009, 461)6 Ibid, 465

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These conclusions are based on what several officials of the Canadian, American and

Britain governments make. For example, he quotes William Lyon Mackenzie King, the Canadian

prime minister, in several cases. One of the cases is when he says that Canada wants to preserve

the prestige of UN and UNSC. The numerous sources referred for each argument are sufficient

evidence to support the thesis.

The step-by-step analysis style adopted by the author is very effective in driving the

argument to a harmonized conclusion. The style not only leads to a solid conclusion but also

makes the paper clear in the argument. He starts by defining the various possible stances of

Canada, gives a brief background and finally analyzes the different crisis placed in the UN and

UNSC whose Canada is a member. The position of Canada on the issues is explained on

different grounds. Such include the allies and the prestige of the UN.

Although the article is convincing enough, one might be inclined to think that the author

is biased. This is because he takes on one line of idea and proceeds stepwise to the conclusion.

The article should debate on both sides of the argument before making the conclusions.

However, the article is sufficiently validated, clear in discussion and with a superb style.

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References

Mackenzie, Hector. "Knight Errant, Cold Warrior or Cautious Ally? Canada on the United Nations Security Council, 1948–1949." Journal of Transatlantic Studies 7, no. 4 (2009): 453-75. doi:10.1080/14794010903286300