Stephen Harper and the Radicalization of Canadian Foreign Policy

Stephen Harper and the Radicalization of Canadian Foreign Policy

Shaun Narine

Introduction

• Context: Stephen Harper's Conservative Government

  • Came to power in 2006.

  • Pursued a foreign policy characterized as ideologically driven.

  • Notable departure from previous governance, marked by adherence to neoconservatism.

• Key Questions of Canadian Foreign Policy:

  • Interests: How does Canada define its interests?

  • Advancement: How does Canada advance its interests and values?

  • U.S. Relations: How does Canada manage its relationship with the United States?

  • International Community: What is the nature of Canada's relationship with the broader international community?

• Traditional Approach:

  • Historically, Canada maintained a "special relationship" with the U.S. while supporting multilateral institutions to balance U.S. influence.

  • Under Harper, there was increased hostility towards most multilateral organizations, although ties with NATO were fortified.

• The government established strict distinctions between friendly countries and those deemed enemies, limiting cultural, political, and economic alignment.

Central Arguments

Factors Defining Conservative Foreign Policy

1. Domestic Political Calculations:

   • Foreign policy seen as a tool for electoral strategy.

   • Engagement with ethnic and religious communities was critical to the Conservatives' base-building strategy.

   • Ideological international stances often avoided domestically contentious issues to maintain image as principled leaders.

2. Neoconservative Ideology:

   • Defined by a strong sense of patriotism and rejection of global governance models like the UN.

   • McGlinchey Definition of Neoconservatism:

     • Characterized by maintaining a moral integrity in foreign policy, refusing alliances with oppressive regimes.

     • Views the international sphere through a stark moral lens, highlighting a need for militaristic intervention to safeguard national and allied interests.

   • Neoconservatism has roots in American conservative activism, influenced by post-Cold War ideologies focusing on U.S. hegemony.

• Historical Background: Neoconservative ideas often linked with anti-Communist sentiments from the 1960s onward.

1. Economic and Trade Priorities:

   • Emphasis on using foreign policy to support Canadian economic interests, especially in natural resources.

   • Subverted traditional development goals in favor of direct economic agendas.

   • Neoconservatism intertwines economic policies with proactive measures to enhance trade, especially in the energy sector.

Historical Context of Canadian Foreign Policy

• Traditional Consensus (Post-WWII):

  • Generally accepted principles of foreign policy, including multilateralism and a balanced approach towards aid and international law.

  • Canada viewed as a middle power with influence stemming from diplomatic engagement and support of developmental paradigms in the global south.

• Departure Under Harper:

  • Policies increasingly hostile towards global cooperation and multilateral institutions.

• The Calgary School of Political Science:

  • Credited with diffusing neoconservative tenets into Canadian governance.

Illustrative Changes in Canadian Foreign Policy

Harper's Ideological Shift

• Harper defined Canadian foreign policy more aggressively after achieving a majority in 2011, prioritizing military strength and distinct alliances over compromise.

• This included:

  • A vocal rejection of appeasement with international adversaries.

  • Articulating a moral dichotomy in global politics—between friends and enemies.

• Emphasized military power and intervention in conflicts reflecting Western values.

Specific Policy Manifestations under Conservative Government

Relationship with China

• Initially, a policy of "cool politics, warm economics," illustrating conflict between ideological positions and economic interests.

• Harper’s interactions included high-profile meetings that balanced previous criticisms with the need for trade relations.

Approach to Israel and Palestine

• Historical support for Israel heightened under Harper:

  • Canada transitioned to being the most pro-Israel state globally.

  • Official repudiation of balanced approaches in favor of unequivocal support of Israeli policies.

• Significant actions included:

  • Suspending aid to Palestine after Hamas's victory in 2006.

  • Critical stances during conflicts, including the Gaza war, and endorsing military actions favoring Israel.

• Foreign Minister John Baird:

  • Actions against Palestine highlighted significant shifts in diplomatic engagement based on ideological allegiances.

Domestic Political Implications

• Foreign policy became a tool to solidify conservative electoral strategies, especially appealing to Jewish and religious supporters while marginalizing Muslim communities.

• Prominent domestic policies reflected the ideological stances that the Harper government adopted, tying them closely to election strategies targeting specific ethnic groups and their priorities.

Criticism and Consequence of Foreign Policy Decisions

• UN Relations:

  • Canada struggled for credibility in international forums, largely due to its aggressive stances in support of contentious ideologies (e.g., support of Israel).

  • Loss of bids for international positions (like UN Security Council) turned public perception of Canada’s foreign policy into a liability.

• Human Rights Oversight:

  • The Harper government displayed selective engagement with human rights issues, particularly in cultures and nations that could further its ideological agenda.

Conclusion

• The Conservative government leveraged foreign policy to mold domestic political landscapes, often prioritizing electoral gain over traditional diplomatic values and global engagement.

• Their agenda suggests that Canadians may face challenges in international relations, especially as the global political landscape grows increasingly complex.

• The legacy of Harper's foreign policy will likely continue to impact Canadian diplomatic relations well into the future, showcasing the risks of ideology-infused policymaking in global affairs.

Author's Overall View of Harper's Foreign Policy

• The Conservative government leveraged foreign policy to mold domestic political landscapes, prioritizing electoral gain over traditional diplomatic values and global engagement.

Three Key Factors that Defined Harper's Foreign Policy

1. Domestic Political Calculations:

   • Foreign policy seen as a tool for electoral strategy, engaging with ethnic and religious communities to build support.

   • Neoconservative stances often avoided contentious domestic issues to maintain an image as principled leaders.

2. Neoconservative Ideology:

   • Defined by strong patriotism and rejection of global governance models; adherence to moral integrity in foreign policy.

   • Led to militaristic interventions to safeguard national and allied interests, often characterized by stark moral lenses.

3. Economic and Trade Priorities:

   • Emphasized the use of foreign policy to support Canadian economic interests, especially in natural resources, subverting traditional development goals in favor of economic agendas.

Neoconservatism

• Neoconservatism influenced Harper’s government, combining ideological stances with economic interests, rejecting appeasement, advocating military strength, and defining a moral dichotomy in global politics between friends and enemies.

The Calgary School

• Credited with diffusing neoconservative tenets into Canadian governance, this school further embedded ideologically driven policies in Harper's foreign affairs.

Examples of Electoral Considerations in Harper Government’s Foreign Policy

• Foreign policy aimed at solidifying electoral strategy, especially targeting Jewish and religious supporters while marginalizing Muslim communities, reflecting an approach that ties electoral success to specific ethnic priorities.

Examples of Neoconservatism in Harper Government’s Foreign Policy

• The shift to a more aggressive stance post-2011, emphasizing military power, the unequivocal support for Israel, and critical stances on international adversaries illustrated the neoconservative initiative in foreign policy.

Critiques of the Harper Government’s Foreign Policy

• Canada faced struggles for credibility in international forums due to aggressive ideological stances, resulting in lost bids for positions like the UN Security Council.

• The government exhibited selective engagement with human rights issues, undermining its ethical stance on global affairs.

• The legacy of Harper's ideologically infused policymaking is projected to continue influencing Canada's diplomatic relations, highlighting risks inherent in such an approach.