multilateralism

Canada amongst nations:1992-93
'The New Multilateralism and evolving Security System' by David A. Welch pg 67-93

In the post Cold War world, their were 2 different views that were clashing for the international relations theorists. The first school of thought was structural realism which had a dark perspective of the future and the second one was a believer in cooperation, therefore much more optimistic (pg.67).

Structural realism

The breakdown of bipolarity calls for the return of chronic instability and violence which was characteristic of the multipolar system of the 1st half of the 20th century; it led to the 2 World Wars as well as the most severe economic depression ever known in modern history. Although the extend of the difficulties nowadays might be lesser than in the 1930s and 40s, according to this view, there are grounds for serious concerns. The destruction of the Soviet Unions in 1989 led to the rise of nationalism in Europe and the disappearance of the bond uniting the western Great Powers; namely the fear of Soviet attack. Simultaneously, the decline of the United States, particularly economically, prevented the US' ability to maintain harmony everywhere at the same time (pg 67-68).

In addition, this world of uncertainty in a post Cold War context will certainly undermine trust and increase the general fear. Several characteristics of the old world were not desirable. For instance, "the domination of the superpowers within their respective blocs, the balance of nuclear terror, ideological polarization and militarization of peacetime economies". Despite this list, realists theorists recognize and admit that these characteristics preserve long and stable peace (pg. 68).

Optimistic view

On the other hand, optimists believe that the end of the Cold War signals a new phase of peaceful international cooperation that will enable countries to adress a broad range of problems that requiries concerted actions on a global scale ie regional conflicts and environmental degradation. Several arguments were made to justify this optimism:
1- the rise of interdependence and the institutionalisation of world affairs inclines states toward cooperation and collective response to international problems
2- the spread of democracy and the decline of militarism will increasingly coerce worldwide governments to devote greater attention and resources to welfare issues.
3- the globalization of the telecommunication has increased the Awareness and sensitivity of peoples with respect to other cultures and to cosmopolitan issues.
4-leaders learned from mistakes that occoured in 1914, 1929 and 1939 and will avoid to repeat the same gestures.
5- development of nuclear weapons has revolutionized states and the attitude of society towars war and rendered major wars too costly to fight and thus to risk (p.69).

The big interrogation lies in the applicability of multilateralism in the future. One fact is that multilateralism will depend on the collective ability of the Great Powers to maintain it. Although it will face challenges to moderate to excitment of the optimists(p. 69).

The world has witnessed Canada's major involvement in multilateralism in the past decades. Hence, Canada is amongst its biggest supporter.