Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Monday, January 07, 2013

Baird touts trade promotion as a key to diplomacy

Ask Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird how he wants the world to see Canada and he rhymes off a list: A principled player who fights for what's right; a country that isn't afraid to take tough decisions; an ally to those who champion freedom.

He pauses for a moment, as if remembering something.

"Also, a strong, economically good partner for trade and commerce," Baird says. "A big part of what we do now, more and more, is about economic development, is about job creation in Canada and abroad, the economic growth of Canada and abroad."

Canada has long had international trade ministers, industry ministers and finance ministers whose responsibilities have included standing up for and promoting Canadian business and trade interests around the globe.

But over the past couple of years, the Conservative government has overseen an unprecedented shift toward using Canadian diplomatic resources - and even foreign aid - for the same purposes.

The Conservatives say this is good both for Canada and the world as Canadians expect their government to help them find jobs, while economic prosperity is the best solution for ending poverty and encouraging peace and stability overseas.

But critics have accused the Conservatives of adopting a "me-first" attitude that not only squanders Canada's hard-earned reputation as a caring, compassionate partner for peace, but also goes too far in selling out important principles for "the almighty dollar."

Baird acknowledges that Canadian diplomacy is increasingly shifting focus from past practice.

"A big part of our job is economic," he says in a recent interview with Postmedia News. "It's about jobs."

At the same time, he says, one of the Conservative government's main foreign policy goals is promoting open economies, which goes hand-in-hand with freedom and global stability.

"The greatest thing (for) global peace and security is a growing economy," he says.

Where, critics ask, are the broader initiatives and vision that earned Canada a strong reputation in the world.

"Canada has favoritized trade missions over peace missions," says Walter Dorn, chair of the department of security and international affairs at the Canadian Forces College.

Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Lee Berthiaume

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