So Near Yet So Far: The Public and Hidden Worlds of Canada-US Relations

"How do politicians, diplomats, and interest groups negotiate the tangled web of Canada-US relations? So Near Yet So Far provides in-depth look at the multiple dimensions of this complex relationship, especially in the period since 9/11. It bridges the traditional gap between academic perspectives and those of diplomatic, policy, and government relations professionals to explore both the similarities and very significant differences between the two countries political systems and why both matter to anyone trying to understand or influence policy outcomes in both countries. Based on almost 200 interviews with current and former government policy makers, opinion-shapers, and interest group leaders in both countries, the book analyzes the motives and mechanics of managing cross-border relations at several levels, including political-strategic, trade-commercial, cultural-psychological, and institutional-procedural. A concluding chapter assesses the implications of current policy trends for Canada's foreign and international economic policies. So Near Yet So Far will be of interest and value to practitioners, scholars, and citizens of both countries who want a better understanding of how the Canada-US relationship works - and can be made to work more effectively. Balanced and fair in its analysis, it gets to the core issues without distorting perspectives on either side of the border."--Pub. desc.