US and Canada
Introduction
Different countries and regions around the world have developed and transformed differently. The cultural, political, social and economic factors in the regions and between countries has played key role in their growth and development. These factors differ from one region to another. This paper examines both historical and contemporary factors that make the U.S and Canada unique from other countries and regions in the world. The two countries have greater commonality in terms of social, economic, political and cultural ideologies.
Economic
The U.S and Canada have had positive relationships in terms of economic growth and development. In the mid 19th century, the two countries were involved in industrialization. Industries were the major contributor to their economy. This industrialization spread quickly in the 20th century. The U.S contributed in stimulating industrialization in Canada. It provided hundreds of millions to boost subsidiary companies in Canada (Marcus, 2009, p. 1039). More plants were acquired by U.S with an aim of serving the Canadian and the British market. However, in the wake of the Great Depression, the situation became worse. Canada came to the harsh reality that they had been duped. Canada increased its tariffs to reduce overdependence on U.S. However, the two countries negotiated and after the passage of the U.S reciprocal trade agreements act in 1934 trade relations improved and they negotiated for reduction of taxes (The Canadian Encyclopedia 2012, para. 2). Various trade relations acts have been passed to ensure that the two countries engage in trade. Most of the Canadian exports come from the U.S. It is estimated that almost 70% of the Canada exports comes from the U.S (The Canadian Encyclopedia 2012, para. 2). U.S provides Canadian with its investment capital and therefore, it owns and holds high stake in the economy of Canada. The overdependence of Canada on U.S has raised concern of causing great disparity between the countries. Canada has been seen to be at risk of loosing its political sovereignty because of heavy dependence on the U.S. These relationships may hamper Canada to make independent economic policies. Therefore, the relationship of the two countries in terms of trade and economy is very close than any other country. The two countries trade together and have positive relationships in terms of trade.
Politics
Political ties and relationship between Canada and U.S has been good for the last two centuries. The two countries share their boarders and this has enabled them to establish positive foreign policy between them. For instance, the two countries shared British cultural heritage warfare that happened between 1770s and 1812 (Marcus, 2009, p. 1038). This unity propelled the countries to establish a stable foreign policy that has seen the two countries promote peace and embrace similar political ideologies that grants people, freedom to participate in what they wish and free speech. The American invasion of the British northern America, which happened in 1812, was the only situation in history that threatened to break the relationships between the two countries. During this invasion, British Canadian forces responded to the invasions with counter attack leading to demilitarization of the boarder with war. There were minor raids on the boarder but this has been resolved. The countries have been able to work together and support one another in issue with politics. Since Cold War, the foreign policy between the two countries has been aligned but in some occasions Canada has disagreed with U.S on some of ideologies and America policies such as on the status of Cuba, Vietnam War, war on terrorism and many others. There is also a serious diplomatic hiccup or debate whether Northwest Passage is under the jurisdiction of Canada or is classified under the international waters. Therefore, political climate between the two countries can be termed as positive, even though there were times that the two countries disagreed on various aspects.
Cultural factors
The two countries predominantly share their culture because of the proximity to each other, and continued relationships in terms of trade. The two countries share their cultures because they speak similar languages. The major language that is spoken by the people of the two countries is English (The Canadian Encyclopedia 2012, para. 2). The two countries share historical ties that are embedded in their Francophone populations. Pop cultures are mostly practiced by the two countries. The two countries are equally identical because of the close ties and commonality. The two are cooperative and they share many things including flow of goods, boarders and have gone ahead to harmonize their regulations on everything that they trade and many other initiatives. This has helped the countries to operate on one wavelength and assimilate their cultures.
Social factors
These are also important factors that shape and distinguish the geographies of the two countries. The two countries have established good social relationships since the 19th century. People from the countries share many ideologies and hold similar opinions and views on various social issues that affect the society (Marcus, 2009, p. 1038). The two countries are known uniquely for their inclinations to justice in the society. People have learned to uphold to the law and ensure that there is equality. They also embrace equality. Their social system being aligned to foster humanity and such rights and privileges such as freedom of expression/speech, are the most important rights that people will always demand. Furthermore, they have very flexible approach to various issues that affect the societies. They have liberal mind and the fact that they are free societies they have allowed freedom for people to engage in same-sex marriage, a perspective that has been opposed by other countries.
Conclusion
The U.S and Canada share many similarities in terms of economy, social, political and cultures. The countries have development from the mid 19th century as a result of industrialization. U.S has been of great assistance in stimulation of Canadian economy. It has pumped funds in its major companies that have improved the economic situation in Canada. Various trade relations have also been enacted that has helped the two countries to integrate and work together positively for very long period of time. The political climate between the two nations has been positive and this has allowed them to share cultures and even their social ideologies. Therefore, they have different characteristics from other countries such as Latin America and Caribbean. These countries have adopted roman doctrines. They were colonized by European countries and most of them gained their independence in the early 1800 compared to US and Canada. They are united by two languages. Majority of people in Latin America speak Spanish and Portuguese (Bethell, 1984, p. 25). When it comes to the economy, the region was hard hit by great depression that slowed its rate of growth making it lag behind. The leading industrial democracies such as US surpassed the Latin American and Caribbean countries. This necessitates countries to work towards economic integration.
Works Cited
Bethell Leslie. The Cambridge History of Latin America; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984. Print.
Marcus, Graser. World History in a Nation-State: The Transnational Disposition in Historical Writing in the United States, In: The Journal of American History, 95.4(2009): 1038- 1052.
The Canadian Encyclopedia. Economic Canadian-American Relations. Web. 21.11.2012. Retrieved from: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/economic- canadianamerican-relations
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