Continentalism

Encyclopedia : C : CO : CON : Continentalism

Continentalism in refers to the agreements or policies that favor the regionalization and/or cooperation between nations within a continent. Generally, the term is used more heavily within North America.

Continentalism in North America

Historically, the United States of America saw itself as an 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, Price Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

Continentalism later became largely associated with the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which included Spanish territories in the present-day western U.S. as well as 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. The traditional proponent of continentalism has been the Liberal Party of Canada and particularly farmers and resource industries that advocated reciprocity (i.e., 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 successful 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 nationalists typically oppose continentalism. Additionally, some a larger number neo-conservatives, tend to favour it, on the grounds that it opens up commercial and economic opportunities, allowing free trade between nations.

Continentalism

Continentalism in North America

See also