Everything about Continentalism totally explained
Continentalism refers to the agreements or policies that favor the regionalization and/or cooperation between nations within a continent. The term is used more often in the European and North American contexts, but the concept has been applied to other continents.
Continentalism in North America
United States
Historically, the United States of America saw itself as a blossoming continental nation-state. Accordingly, the first governing body for the North American colonists was called the
Continental Congress, which sought to receive delegates from across the populated continent, including the future Canadian provinces of
Quebec and
Nova Scotia.
Continentalism later became largely associated with the ideology of
Manifest Destiny, which included Spanish territories (now Latin America), western U.S. as well as Canada. Due to this, this continentalism grew so much in the
United States of America that it transformed into
nationalism. Most of the inhabitants of this country, if not all, call themselves "Americans" as if it was a demonym, and say
America to refer to the country
United States of America instead of the continent America. For a more extensive discussion over this polemical case, read the main article:
Use of the word American.
Canada
In Canadian political history, continentalism has referred to policies that emphasize Canadian trade and economic ties within the
North American continent, particularly the
United States, over those with the
United Kingdom and the
British Empire. In the 19th century Continentialism was one of the three main theories of
Canadian nationality, the others being pro-British
Imperialism, and Canadian independence.
The most extreme form of Continentalism is
Annexationism, which advocates all or part of Canada joining the United States. Opponents of continentalism often argue that stronger ties with the United States could eventually lead to annexation, and that this is to be feared. Continentalists themselves may or may not be in favour of continuing to deepen ties with the United States beyond the economic and into areas like a
customs union,
common border,
common currency, or even
political union.
The traditional proponent of continentalism was the
Liberal Party of Canada and particularly farmers and resource industries that advocated
reciprocity (for example,
free trade) with the United States.
However, the
Progressive Conservative Party took on many continentalist policies beginning during the
Brian Mulroney government in the 1980s, which promoted and successfully signed the
North American Free Trade Agreement. These policies were maintained by the Liberal and
Conservative Party of Canada governments that followed Mulroney's.
Continentalism today is seen in both negative and positive terms.
Canadian economic nationalists typically oppose continentalism. Opposing this, many pro-market
neo-liberals and
neo-conservatives tend to favour it, on the grounds that it opens up commercial and economic opportunities, allowing free trade between nations.
Further Information
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