In Between Countries

Australia, Canada, and the Search for Order in Agricultural Trade

By Andrew F. Cooper
Categories: Agriculture & Food Production
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press
Hardcover : 9780773516670, 288 pages, November 1997
Ebook (PDF) : 9780773566866, 288 pages, November 1997

Description

The book explores how and why two self-identified middle powers adopted such distinctive styles in their diplomatic approaches. Focusing on a period of crucial developments in diplomacy, Andrew Cooper analyses the policies of each country, emphasizes distinctive interests and policies, and systematically compares key features of the actions of the two countries. While the book is very much policy driven, it is also firmly based on an appreciation of the distinctiveness of Australia and Canada. Cooper argues that the contemporary expression of duality in diplomatic approach can only be fully understood when set against the divergent historical experiences of the two countries. Not only has the structural, situational, and psychological location of Australia and Canada set them apart throughout the postwar period, but their pattern of political development has differed appreciably.

Reviews

"In Between Countries makes an original contribution in the field of international political economy, advancing our understanding of how middle powers behave. By highlighting some of the distinctive features of Canadian and Australian foreign policies it furthers the understanding of both." Derek McDougall, Department of Political Science, University of Melbourne, Australia "In Between Countries is a valuable discussion of policy issues on agriculture and international trade more generally. Cooper makes good use of the middle power concept, including the related notion of followership, acknowledging the limitations of the concept as well as stressing its utility. This kind of comparative analysis is a productive way of exploring the distinctive characteristics of Canada's foreign economic policies." Robert Boardman, Department of Political Science, Dalhousie University