Towards principled influence: an overview of Canadian foreign policy, 1943-1948

• Main Author: Boehm, Peter Michael
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Edinburgh 1983
• Subjects: Political; science; Public; administration; Canada; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1842/7142

This study attempts to provide an overview of Canadian foreign policy during the years 1943 to 1948. Canada's aspiration for an influential global role proportionate to its wartime contributions, known as the functional principle, merits close attention in serving as the basis for Canada's approach to renewed international organization during this period. Hence, Canada's involvement in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, the Chicago International Civil Aviation Conference and particularly in the creation of the United Nations exemplify the extent and application of this new philosophy, as well as its successes and failures. A maturation from the idealism voiced in 1943 to the more sober pragmatism evident by 1948 is noted. The evolving relationship with the United Kingdom is analyzed, the focus being on the nature and evolution of the Commonwealth consultative process, together with the viability of a common foreign and defence policy. Changes in the Commonwealth as an association through the admission of newly independent members are considered. Another major theme is the significance of Canada's relations with the United States as approached from the perspectives of political influence and continental integration. Canada's increasing awareness of other nations in the hemisphere, as well as the expansion of both the Department of External Affairs and the Canadian presence abroad are also reviewed. By the final chapters, it is evident that through the advent of peace in Europe, the necessity of a multilateral effort for its reconstruction, and ultimately through the creation of the North Atlantic Alliance, a traditional tenet of Canadian policy, the "North Atlantic Triangle", is maintained, but in a realigned form. Canadian policy in response to these issues, therefore, through a combination of its functional principle and a good amount of "enlightened self-interest" helped to elevate Canada to a position of influence within the ranks of the "middle" powers. Throughout this study, the ...