The Determinants of Canada's South African Policy (1968 to 1984)

Abstract

<p>An examination of the Trudeau government's rhetoric, United Nations activity, and economic relations with South Africa reveals that the government's South African policy was twofold in nature. From 1968 to 1984, the Canadian government consistently condemned South Africa's apartheid system. Nonetheless, it was unwilling to enact policies that would aid in the destruction of that system.</p> <p>How can we account for the government's unwillingness to bring rhetoric in line with reality? In other words, what determinants influenced the government's South African policy? The hypothesis of this thesis is that while Canada's economic interests in South Africa were not unimportant, they were not the overriding determinant in the formulation of Canada's South African policy. Consequently, it will be demonstrated that South Africa's strategic and economic importance to the West was the most significant determining factor in shaping Canada's policy toward that country. Because of the obligations of the NATO alliance and the array of socio-economic, cultural and traditional links between Canada and its Western allies, notably the United States and Britain. the Trudeau government was not willing to undertake unilateral policies that would have impinged on the interests of its allies. By adopting this approach. the government avoided possible economic or political repercussions that might have resulted if the Canadian government adopted concrete unilateral initiatives. In order to circumvent these parameters. the government preferred to act in multilateral forums. Within these bodies the government could comfortably initiate policies knowing that it was not acting alone and thereby avoided the potential anger of those countries with more substantive interests in South Africa.</p>