Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has delivered a scathing critique of the international order that has held sway since World War II. In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he declared that this system is no longer working and that "middle powers" like Canada must acknowledge its failures.
The criticism is aimed squarely at the US, which Carney says has torn apart the rules-based international order that was established after World War II. The old order prioritized shared prosperity and cooperation, but Trump's presidency has shown that this approach will no longer work. As a result, middle powers like Canada must take action to protect their interests and build a new world order.
Carney's speech is notable for its candid admission of the flaws in the international system. He notes that the US and other Western nations have "exempted themselves" from the rules-based order when it suits them, and has instead focused on using economic coercion to achieve its goals. This approach has been particularly evident in the trade wars with Canada.
In response, Carney is calling for a new approach that prioritizes domestic economic development and critiques economic intimidation by both allies and rivals. This suggests that middle powers like Canada must take a more assertive role in shaping global affairs, rather than relying on the US to provide leadership.
One of the most striking aspects of Carney's speech is its reference to Václav Havel's essay "The Power of the Powerless". In this text, Havel argues that citizens must live in truth and honesty, even when the government or ruling elites are engaging in deception. This theme was echoed by Carney as he described the need for middle powers like Canada to build their own power and resist coercion from other nations.
Carney's speech also hints at a new era of great-power competition, where China and Russia are likely to play key roles alongside the US. In this context, Carney is calling for a more informal alliance of middle powers to challenge the existing order and promote their own interests.
Overall, Carney's speech marks a significant shift in Canada's approach to global affairs. By acknowledging the failures of the old international order and calling for a new approach that prioritizes domestic development and critical resistance to coercion, Carney is signaling that Canada is ready to take on a more assertive role in shaping the world order.
The criticism is aimed squarely at the US, which Carney says has torn apart the rules-based international order that was established after World War II. The old order prioritized shared prosperity and cooperation, but Trump's presidency has shown that this approach will no longer work. As a result, middle powers like Canada must take action to protect their interests and build a new world order.
Carney's speech is notable for its candid admission of the flaws in the international system. He notes that the US and other Western nations have "exempted themselves" from the rules-based order when it suits them, and has instead focused on using economic coercion to achieve its goals. This approach has been particularly evident in the trade wars with Canada.
In response, Carney is calling for a new approach that prioritizes domestic economic development and critiques economic intimidation by both allies and rivals. This suggests that middle powers like Canada must take a more assertive role in shaping global affairs, rather than relying on the US to provide leadership.
One of the most striking aspects of Carney's speech is its reference to Václav Havel's essay "The Power of the Powerless". In this text, Havel argues that citizens must live in truth and honesty, even when the government or ruling elites are engaging in deception. This theme was echoed by Carney as he described the need for middle powers like Canada to build their own power and resist coercion from other nations.
Carney's speech also hints at a new era of great-power competition, where China and Russia are likely to play key roles alongside the US. In this context, Carney is calling for a more informal alliance of middle powers to challenge the existing order and promote their own interests.
Overall, Carney's speech marks a significant shift in Canada's approach to global affairs. By acknowledging the failures of the old international order and calling for a new approach that prioritizes domestic development and critical resistance to coercion, Carney is signaling that Canada is ready to take on a more assertive role in shaping the world order.