Title
The "Lessons" of Vietnam for Canada: Complicity, Irrelevance, Earnestness, or Realism?
Publication Date
2014
Document Type
Article
Abstract
This essay looks back on three classic texts depicting Canadian foreign policy during the Vietnam era in pursuit of lessons for policymakers in Ottawa today. It concludes that Canadians should not be so self-critical of their country’s inability to exercise influence on complex and difficult global problems. While Canada continues to be able to make a helpful contribution to world affairs, Canada’s international engagements should focus less on the often unrealistic desire to enhance the country’s image and standing abroad and at home and more on immediate tactical and operational impacts.
Original Citation
Sokolsky, J. (2014). The "Lessons" of Vietnam for Canada: Complicity, Irrelevance, Earnestness, or Realism? International Journal: Canada’s Journal of Global Policy Analysis. Published online 9 July, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020702014540095
Identifier
Virtual Commons Citation
Sokolsky, Joel (2014). The "Lessons" of Vietnam for Canada: Complicity, Irrelevance, Earnestness, or Realism?. In Faculty, Administrator & Staff Articles. Paper 5.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/fac_articles/5