About the Conference

This event is by invitation, only


For Canada, perhaps more than for any other country, foreign policy and international engagement has long been predicated upon its relationship with allies, and the strength and reliability of U.S. leadership. What if that leadership can no longer be confidently relied upon? Discussion of the decline of Pax Americana and its potential impact is not new, but the diminishing capacity of the US to retain a global hegemonic leadership is under increasing pressure today, not only due to internal political polarization but also the persistence of complex issues and renewed global crises, and the political will of the US to sustain a leadership role. In this context, how can middle powers like Canada and its allies contribute to foster global security, address regional security crises, and promote democratic institutions and values and a rules-based world market economy?

In every aspect of its domestic, foreign, economic and security policies, Canada's fate largely depends on its relations with the US. Indeed, Canada is a good starting point for a reflection on the global impacts of declining or vanishing US leadership, because it is more deeply affected by whatever the US does than perhaps any other country. Also, Canada's capacity to play a role or exert influence on global issues has in the past often relied on the strength of its relationship with the world's foremost power. This conference seeks to bring together scholars and practitioners to reflect on these broad questions, and to contribute to the emerging discussion of the challenges and prospects for Canada in specific areas of the world where Canada has significant political and economic stakes, namely the Euro-Atlantic and in the Asia-Pacific regions.

Organizers: 

Antonia Maioni, William Lyon Mackenzie King Chair, Harvard University 
https://www.gov.harvard.edu/directory/antonia-maioni/

Jennifer Welsh, Canada 150 Chair, McGill University 
https://www.mcgill.ca/politicalscience/jennifer-welsh

Marie-Joelle Zahar, Universite de Montreal
https://pol.umontreal.ca/repertoire-departement/professeurs/professeur/i...

Pierre Martin, Universite de Montreal
https://pol.umontreal.ca/repertoire-departement/professeurs/professeur/i...

Joe Young, American University and Canada-US Fulbright Chair 
https://www.american.edu/spa/faculty/jyoung.cfm

Robert Greenhill, Global Canada
https://www.global-canada.org/about




Contact

For more information about the workshop please contact:

Helen Clayton
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
1727 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
canada@wcfia.harvard.edu