Pragmatic Idealism

Canadian Foreign Policy, 1945-1995

Bibliographic Data

ID4852230
AuthorsGraham Fraser (0000-0002-5733-201X), Costas Melakopides (0000-0001-9968-1931)
Year1999
Volume54
Issue2
Pages353
Publication date1999-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal Canada s Journal of Global Policy Analysis (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-7020 • E-ISSN: 2052-465X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/40203388
OpenAlexW2065302967
LanguageEN
Citations received10

Melakopides defines Canadian internationalism as pragmatic idealism, a balanced synthesis of idealism and pragmatism, and demonstrates concretely how it reflects the principles, interests, and values of the country's mainstream political culture. Focusing on Canada's record in the areas of peacekeeping and peacemaking, arms control and disarmament, foreign development assistance, human rights, and ecological concerns, Melakopides reveals that at the heart of Canadian foreign policy are the concepts and the practice of moderation, communication, mediation, cooperation, caring, and sharing. Pragmatic Idealism is an inspiring challenge to the assumption that all foreign policy is premised on realpolitik. Students, scholars, and practitioners of Canadian foreign policy as well as historians, Canadianists, members of NGOs, and interested members of the general public will find it an engaging and enlightening experience

Epistemology · Foreign policy · Idealism · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Canadian Policy and Governance · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Military and Defense Studies · Philosophy