Identity Discourses and Canadian Foreign Policy in the War on Terror

This book explores how popular narratives of Canadian identity became implicated in Canadas foreign policy in the Global War on Terror, challenging conceptions of national identity as stable or fluid and assessing their relevance in light of contemporary international challenges.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate relationship between popular narratives of Canadian identity and Canada's foreign policy in the context of the Global War on Terror. Author McDonald argues that the decision by Canada to participate in the 2001 Afghanistan War but abstain from the 2003 Iraq War was made possible by the political linkage between these policies and similar narratives of an enduring Canadian identity. These decisions are examined through the mobilization of three key discourses by politicians: Canada as America's neighbor, Canada as a protector of foreign civilians, and Canada as a champion of multilateralism.

This book challenges the notion of national identity as either stable or fluid and contests the prevailing arguments that downplay the role of identity discourses in Canadian foreign policy. By examining the rhetoric of Canadian foreign policy in the light of contemporary international challenges such as the Donald Trump presidency, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia's War on Ukraine, the relevance of these narratives is assessed.

McDonald's analysis provides a fresh perspective on Canadian foreign policy and sheds light on the complex interplay between identity, politics, and international relations. It is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the role of identity in shaping Canada's foreign policy decisions.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031258503
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023