For example, take Suharto's Indonesia, which is a brutal, murderous state. I think Canada was supporting it all the way through, because it was making money out of the situation. And we can go around the world. Canada strongly supported the US invasion of South Vietnam, the whole of Indochina. In fact Canada became the per capita largest war exporter, trying to make as much money as it could from the murder of people in Indochina. In fact, I'd suggest that you look back at the comment by a well known and respected Canadian diplomat, I think his name was John Hughes, some years ago, who defined what he called the Canadian idea, namely 'we uphold our principles but we find a way around them'. Well, that's pretty accurate. And Canada is not unique in this respect, maybe a little more hypocritical.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Canada supported brutal regimes for profit, exemplifying a diplomatic culture that upholds principles while finding ways around them.
- In plain terms
- Canada backed violent governments to make money, showing a pattern of ignoring principles for gain.
- What can you take from it?
- National self-interest can override stated moral principles in foreign policy.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do principles guide policy?
- How does profit influence diplomacy?
Another view
Not all foreign support is purely profit-driven or hypocritical.
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