Anyone who has been involved in municipal politics–at least over the past couple of decades–has heard virtually every candidate say they support increased transparency. Why do they say this and then not follow through? Transparency makes the democratic process work …
Tribalism that Flies In the Face of His Father’s One Canada Vision
Pierre Trudeau remains the most divisive Prime Minister in Canadian History – he is both loved and loathed. But for all this controversy, he was a champion of One Canada. He boldly fought against what he perceived as “The Two …
No doubt some bureaucrats are trying to bring Trump down. Why would that surprise you?
There’s no doubt some public employees are trying to bring Trump down. But this shouldn’t surprise anyone. We live under the perception — or shall we say illusion — that civil servants are altruistic and loyally serve whichever party is …
Brexit
Having been in the United Kingdom for the last 10 days of the Brexit campaign, the victory of the Brexiteers over the Remainers was expected. The debate pitched economics against politics. Maybe, as David Smith wrote in The Times, “the economics …
The West Needs a Strategic Pause before Working with Russia
What a difference a year makes. Recall that not so long ago, Canada and other Western states were united in their condemnation of Russia’s Vladimir Putin after Russia not-so-secretly invaded Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, shot down a commercial airliner full …
The campaign’s final make-or-break weeks
The endgame of this long election campaign is coming into view. Thomas Mulcair’s attempt to remake the New Democratic party as a moderate-centre party has failed, brought down by what Marxists call “internal contradictions.” His promise to balance the federal …
Harper would have the upper hand in a minority House
Once again, minority government seems like a possible outcome of a federal election, so let’s look at some scenarios. They all involve a double helix of constitutional rules and political calculations. Start with the constitutional parameters. A sitting prime minister …
Russia’s Next Move: Domination of the Arctic?
Vladimir Putin, after a mysterious absence, has finally reappeared. And just in time, too: the Russian president apparently decided to respond to NATO exercises in Europe – in part generated by Putin’s own wars against his neighbors – by putting …
The Need for Post-R2P Humanitarianism
Four years ago this month Security Council Resolution 1973 sanctioning action against Libya was effusively welcomed by many as conclusive proof of the Responsibility to Protect’s (R2P) efficacy. It was, former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans rejoiced, “a textbook case …