Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a stark warning to the world, urging middle powers like himself to take a stand against the erosion of international order. He believes that the old rules-based system is no longer tenable and that countries must adapt by building their own strength at home.
Carney argues that the current era of great-power rivalry is characterized by economic integration being used as a tool for coercion. This, he claims, is a form of "living within a lie," where countries pretend to be part of a system that no longer exists. He suggests that this fiction has been useful in the past, but it's no longer sustainable.
To address this challenge, Carney proposes that middle powers like Canada engage in variable geometry – forming different coalitions for different issues based on common values and interests. This approach would allow countries to combine their strength to create a more significant impact.
Carney also emphasizes the importance of building institutions and agreements that function as described. He suggests that this includes creating shared standards, reducing fragmentation, and promoting complementarities. By doing so, middle powers can reduce their vulnerability to retaliation and earn the right to principled stands.
One of the key aspects of Carney's strategy is diversifying internationally. This involves forming alliances with like-minded countries, negotiating free-trade pacts, and pursuing variable geometry. Canada has already taken steps in this direction, concluding strategic partnerships with China, Qatar, India, Asean, Thailand, the Philippines, and Mercosur.
Carney believes that middle powers have a crucial role to play in shaping the new world order. By taking a stand against economic intimidation and promoting cooperation, they can create a more just and sustainable future. He argues that this is not about competing with great powers but rather combining their strength to achieve common goals.
In summary, Carney's call to action is for middle powers like Canada to stop pretending that the old rules-based system still functions and instead build their own strength at home. By diversifying internationally, building institutions, and promoting cooperation, they can create a more significant impact and shape the future of international relations.
Carney's message is clear: the powerful have their power, but middle powers like Canada have something else – the capacity to stop pretending and name reality. They must act with honesty, consistency, and pragmatism to build a better world for all.
Carney argues that the current era of great-power rivalry is characterized by economic integration being used as a tool for coercion. This, he claims, is a form of "living within a lie," where countries pretend to be part of a system that no longer exists. He suggests that this fiction has been useful in the past, but it's no longer sustainable.
To address this challenge, Carney proposes that middle powers like Canada engage in variable geometry – forming different coalitions for different issues based on common values and interests. This approach would allow countries to combine their strength to create a more significant impact.
Carney also emphasizes the importance of building institutions and agreements that function as described. He suggests that this includes creating shared standards, reducing fragmentation, and promoting complementarities. By doing so, middle powers can reduce their vulnerability to retaliation and earn the right to principled stands.
One of the key aspects of Carney's strategy is diversifying internationally. This involves forming alliances with like-minded countries, negotiating free-trade pacts, and pursuing variable geometry. Canada has already taken steps in this direction, concluding strategic partnerships with China, Qatar, India, Asean, Thailand, the Philippines, and Mercosur.
Carney believes that middle powers have a crucial role to play in shaping the new world order. By taking a stand against economic intimidation and promoting cooperation, they can create a more just and sustainable future. He argues that this is not about competing with great powers but rather combining their strength to achieve common goals.
In summary, Carney's call to action is for middle powers like Canada to stop pretending that the old rules-based system still functions and instead build their own strength at home. By diversifying internationally, building institutions, and promoting cooperation, they can create a more significant impact and shape the future of international relations.
Carney's message is clear: the powerful have their power, but middle powers like Canada have something else – the capacity to stop pretending and name reality. They must act with honesty, consistency, and pragmatism to build a better world for all.
I mean, come on, we've been living in a fantasy world where countries just get along for centuries. It's time to wake up and realize that the strong will do what they want anyway 
Canada needs to stop pretending like they're all buddy-buddy with everyone and start building their own thing. Like, diversifying internationally and forming alliances with other like-minded countries makes total sense 
They need to be realistic about where they stand in the world and not get left behind just because of some outdated notion that everyone's gonna get along forever 
. building our own strength at home is key, whether it's through forming new alliances, negotiating free-trade pacts, or promoting cooperation with like-minded countries. and let's be real, canada's already been taking steps in this direction 
. but what really gets me is the idea of middle powers combining their strength to create a more significant impact. it's time for us to stop playing nice and start making some noise 
. so yeah, carney's message is clear: let's stop pretending and start building a better world for all 
like, i feel him on this one tho - it's crazy how great powers r using economic integration as a tool 2 coerce other countries 
anyway, carney's suggestion of forming diff coalitions based on common values & interests is low-key genius 
we need more of that kinda thinking rn 
canada's prime minster mark carney is spot on in saying that middle powers need 2 take a stand against the erosion of int'l order 
he's right, economic integration shouldnt b used as a tool 4 coercion 
it's time 4 countries 2 adapt & build their own strength at home 
variable geometry is da way 2 go 
forming diff coalitions 4 diff issues based on common values & interests is key 
middle powers can't just sit back & watch the powerful do everythin' 
they need 2 take action, build institutions, & promote cooperation 
canada's already takin steps in this direction, it's time 4 other middle powers 2 follow suit 
. countries are more focused on their own interests than working together towards a common goal. it's like we're all just trying to survive in this great-power rivalry 
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. I was in Toronto the other day and got this amazing slice from that new place downtown. But when I asked them if they delivered, they said "no" but then a minute later sent me a text saying they'd be there in 30 mins. It's like, what even is that? Can't they just make up their minds? 
Anyway, back to Canada and the middle powers... Carney makes a point about building strength at home, but I think we're all gonna end up living in a world where our favorite takeout places start delivering from random countries 
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i mean, im all for canada building its own strength and all but i think we need to be careful not to abandon the old rules-based system entirely... whats wrong with working together on a global scale when it comes to things like climate change and economic inequality? 
. and its not jus about forming alliances 2, its also bout creatin shared stds, reducin fragmentation, & promisin complementarities 
. As a parent, I worry that if countries start forming different coalitions for different issues, it'll just lead to more confusion and less cooperation in the long run 
. And what's with all the free-trade pacts? Won't that just create more inequality and make it harder for smaller countries to compete? 
As a parent, I want my kids to grow up in a world where everyone has access to opportunities and can thrive without being left behind 
. It's like I always say, "You can't fix what you don't recognize" 
. We gotta stop pretending that the old rules-based system still works and start taking control of our own destiny 
. It's not about competing with the great powers, it's about working together towards common goals 
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. It's time for middle powers to take a stand against economic intimidation and promote cooperation 
. And what's with this "living within a lie" nonsense? Like, who hasn't heard that phrase before? 
. I mean, what's wrong with good old-fashioned diplomacy? Do we really need all these new-fangled strategies to deal with the likes of China and Russia? 
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