Foreign Policy Forum Simulation - Essay Example

The country appears split on its part at the global stage. This is seen through the various arguments that have been presented by members of government, through their political parties. In one simulation, Prime Minister Steven Harper presents the case for Canada to maintain its stature as a warrior nation. He argues that going back to the peacekeeping days hinder security efforts that the country has carried out through interventions such as Afghanistan. Similarly, peacekeeping efforts would be a hindrance to Canadian national interests.

Harper presents his Conservative Party’s position that the primary role of government is to protect national sovereignty. Avoidance of peacekeeping efforts would allow the country to assert its own agenda at the global stage. Similarly, it would allow Canada to reassert its glorious military history (Beeksma 45). However, the New Democratic Party differs with the Prime Minister’s positioning of the country. They feel that peacekeeping efforts should serve as the foundation of Canadian foreign policy.

The opposition has presented the argument that avoidance of peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts has sunk the country’s importance at the global stage. Dewar explains that, the country has sunk from first to fifty-second in the global rank for peacekeeping nations (Raycraft 78). . A country’s values are often ingrained in the views of its people. In that regard, Dorn states that peacekeeping operations have now become part of the Canadian national identity. Similarly, they have been celebrated as ‘part of what Canada is as a nation, and Canadians are as people’ (Dorn 7--32).

Harper has also explained the same. He states that Canada advocates for right and good for the world. Harper portrays the nation as a confident partner, courageous warrior and a compassionate neighbor. These values are ingrained into its agenda on global peacekeeping efforts. The UN secretary general has also presented Canadian values as part of its image. He has presented the country as ‘the champion of the responsibility to protect’. From the simulations and other literature, it appears that an overwhelmingly partisan view has developed on the Canadian image.

Most views hold that the country should be present in all peacekeeping efforts. This is seen from the citizenry to people from other nations. The NDP views that the nation should be committed to humanitarian and peacekeeping efforts as has happened in the past. In his presentations, Ban Ki moon has commended Canadian contributions in the past. In that respect, he has advocated a renewal to these past efforts. Similarly, Dewar has advocated continued participation by Canadian personnel in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts, in troubled areas.

It is, therefore, seen that most of the world has developed a partisan image on the Canadian position on peacekeeping efforts. It has been presented that peacekeeping efforts are part of Canadian values. This image has slowly become part of the national worldview. The representation has,