Does a national identity really matter that much anymore? I don’t think so. Middle power countries all have distinct identities but none are exceptional as would be expected.
What is more important is economic opportunity of citizens. As this discussion highlights, there is no clear idea of what economic nationalism is or should be. This is a concern, because the economic gravity of neighboring America has continued to exert a steadily stronger pull since Confederation. This is the existential threat in my opinion.
Well said and spot on! It all comes down to economic dynamism and how to achieve this across all sectors and geographies in Canada. Without economic success and the financial freedom that affords, a nation can’t find its footing around social affairs. What is frustrating is seeing bias on the left and right confuse the optionality discussion on how to achieve success. No simple answers but let’s focus on centrism to achieve the greatest chance of success economically and socially. Fear those with overly simplistic and extreme positions economically and socially.
I believe the situation we are in makes it impossible to pursue continentalism. It also makes it impossible for us to casually choose our national identity, like it was a thought experiment.
I don't think we can really understand who we are as Canada without being put to the test in some way. (Thinking of Ukrainians here).
We don't have the luxury of time. We need to quickly figure out ways to build an economic contrast between the US and ourselves. At least, we need to send clear signals about these intentions. Without some sense of predictability for the future it will be impossible to "relax" into a form of socially-minded nationalism (the type that Ed Broadbent espoused). We just won't have the money.
We need our national and provincial governments to come to agreement on critical economic issues. Our situation with the US changing so quickly, and so closely to us, means the world as we find it is no longer playing a casual, predictable, safe game. There is a sense of urgency in the moment. With the US pursuing economic nationalism (sloppily, I would add) Canada, meaning federal and provincial levels of gov't, are being forced into a counter-version of Canadian economic nationalism.
Does a national identity really matter that much anymore? I don’t think so. Middle power countries all have distinct identities but none are exceptional as would be expected.
What is more important is economic opportunity of citizens. As this discussion highlights, there is no clear idea of what economic nationalism is or should be. This is a concern, because the economic gravity of neighboring America has continued to exert a steadily stronger pull since Confederation. This is the existential threat in my opinion.
Well said and spot on! It all comes down to economic dynamism and how to achieve this across all sectors and geographies in Canada. Without economic success and the financial freedom that affords, a nation can’t find its footing around social affairs. What is frustrating is seeing bias on the left and right confuse the optionality discussion on how to achieve success. No simple answers but let’s focus on centrism to achieve the greatest chance of success economically and socially. Fear those with overly simplistic and extreme positions economically and socially.
A helpful and informative discussion. Thank-you.
I believe the situation we are in makes it impossible to pursue continentalism. It also makes it impossible for us to casually choose our national identity, like it was a thought experiment.
I don't think we can really understand who we are as Canada without being put to the test in some way. (Thinking of Ukrainians here).
We don't have the luxury of time. We need to quickly figure out ways to build an economic contrast between the US and ourselves. At least, we need to send clear signals about these intentions. Without some sense of predictability for the future it will be impossible to "relax" into a form of socially-minded nationalism (the type that Ed Broadbent espoused). We just won't have the money.
We need our national and provincial governments to come to agreement on critical economic issues. Our situation with the US changing so quickly, and so closely to us, means the world as we find it is no longer playing a casual, predictable, safe game. There is a sense of urgency in the moment. With the US pursuing economic nationalism (sloppily, I would add) Canada, meaning federal and provincial levels of gov't, are being forced into a counter-version of Canadian economic nationalism.