Lesson 19 — Activity 4: To What Extent Should Internationalism Be Pursued?


Warm Up


You have now learned what internationalism means, and you have looked at Canada's global interdependence and how this can lead to problems with our environment. In this lesson, you will think about the extent to which you support Canada's pursuit of internationalism.

hands joining     

Think about this question:

What if all the money that is currently used for foreign aid to help other countries was used to solve poverty and human rights issues in Canada?

Think about the problems that would be solved and the problems that would be created. For example, would there be no more hunger in Canada? Would Canada be less respected on the international stage because we are no longer helping other countries in need?

Now that you've thought about these questions, think about how much you support Canada's pursuit of internationalism. Below, you will look at some advantages and disadvantages of pursuing internationalism.


As you have learned, internationalism is the cooperation between nations for the common good. For example, the United Nations was created after the Second World War to ensure global security, which is one of the most important human needs.

As Canada pursues internationalism, a lot of our country's wealth is sent to other countries in order to help them with issues such as poverty, hunger, and human rights issues. However, Canada also experiences these problems, so should we be spending all our money here in Canada, or is it important that we, as a wealthy nation, help other countries in need?

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of both sides.


Advantages of Pursuing Internationalism

  • Canada maintains a very positive international image to the rest of the world because of its involvement in peacekeeping and providing aid to countries in need.
  • When internationalism is pursued, this promotes peace and security. Internationalism benefits nations by bringing them together and making them more connected.
  • When we work with other countries, we benefit because of the trade opportunities and the shared technological advances (e.g., space program).
  • There are also educational benefits. Most of the major universities, colleges, and technical institutions have opened their doors to foreign students enabling global education.
  • Internationalism also has cultural benefits. When nations conduct business, politics, or even student exchange programs, there comes a need for each country to learn and understand their partners’ language, culture, and systems. Therefore, internationalism promotes a trend of global brotherhood and peace.
  • Nations work together to fight pollution problems.
  • International organizations such as the Red Cross promote humanitarianism.
  • Finally, if all nations worked together as one, the world will be a safer place to live in.


Disadvantages of Pursuing Internationalism

  • A lot of our wealth is sent to other countries to help them with issues, such as hunger, poverty, and human rights issues.
  • Money going to other countries could be used right here in Canada to help our own people with issues such as hunger and poverty.
  • When internationalism is pursued, Canada loses a part of its nationalism by eliminating trade barriers, which could threaten our economic stability by reducing our ability to make decisions independently of other nations.
  • When we send our people to war-torn countries in order to provide peacekeeping and rescue missions, this can threaten the safety of these Canadians.

Internationalism is an important part of our globalized world. It presents many opportunities that can greatly benefit a nation (both our nation and other nations around the world). Thanks to the pursuit of internationalism, nations who were previously underdeveloped now have access to aid, including food and medicine. However, as you have just learned, when getting involved in internationalism, there can also be disadvantages. In order for nationalism to be pursued to the right extent, we as a global community must recognize both the pros and cons of internationalism and take action so we can all benefit.

Self-check!

Try This!

Try the question below on your own first, and then click on the tab to check your answers! You may look back at the lesson to find the answers.

Name two advantages and two disadvantages of a nation pursuing internationalism.


Advantages:

  • It promotes peace and security.
  • We benefit because of the trade opportunities and the shared technological advances .
  • It has educational benefits.
  • It has cultural benefits.
  • Nations work together to fight pollution problems
  • It promotes humanitarianism.
  • If all nations worked together as one, the world will be a safer place to live in.

Disadvantages:

  • A lot of our wealth is sent to other countries.
  • Money going to other countries could be used right here in Canada to help our own people.
  • Canada loses a part of its nationalism by eliminating trade barriers, which could threaten our economic stability.
  • Canadian's safety could be threatened when they are sent on peacekeeping and rescue missions.