Is CANZUK viable?

[Kazakah]

Hello NationStates!

For those of you who don't know CANZUK is a proposed alliance between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Major proponents of this alliance would include free trade, looser immigration and travel policies, and military and defence co-operation.

Advocates of CANZUK point to to a shared cultural heritage, shared language, and historic friendships.

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I have these questions for you guys

1. Is CANZUK practical in the 21st century?
2. Will these countries benefit from CANZUK?
3. Do you see CANZUK happening in the future?
4. Should other nations be considered?
5. Does it need a better name?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CANZUK

[Bienenhalde]

I would support a CANZUK federation, but possibly include other countries like Ireland or India.

[Romextly]

I would support a CANZUK federation, but possibly include other countries like Ireland or India.

that would make sense as they were both part of the british empire at one time, and India has the 4th best military in the world

[Vedan 11]

I'd support it, in fact I'd like to see the USA included in it. I'm not entirely sure how much trade will be possible between "The Southern Saxons" (AU and NZ) and the UK, as they are on opposite sides of the world. But I imagine Canada at least will benefit as it is located between the two. And if the US joins in then the allince would be quite strong and viable.

[Valrifell]

I would support a CANZUK federation, but possibly include other countries like Ireland or India.

that would make sense as they were both part of the british empire at one time, and India has the 4th best military in the world

I don't think either of them regard the English... fondly.

[Pilipinas and Malaya]

I mean, CANZUK is essentially discount Five Eyes, since they lack the US. The Commonwealth is also another group where all of these nations are part of.

CANZUK is also a pretty big force to be reckoned with, since the UK is a diplomatic heavyweight because of their influence, and the other three are very important countries as well.

ANZ are planning a travel bubble with Fiji, so CANZUK may become important for being one of the first regions to normalise travel and pre-pandemic lifestyles.

[Merni]

I would support a CANZUK federation, but possibly include other countries like Ireland or India.

that would make sense as they were both part of the british empire at one time, and India has the 4th best military in the world

Heh. I'm not sure the US or the UK, with their current governments, would want "looser immigration and travel policies" with India.

[Bienenhalde]

that would make sense as they were both part of the british empire at one time, and India has the 4th best military in the world

Heh. I'm not sure the US or the UK, with their current governments, would want "looser immigration and travel policies" with India.

Post-Brexit Britain might need more trade with India to make up for lost trade with the EU. If the British didn't want Eastern European immigrants replaced with Indian immigrants maybe they should not have voted for Brexit.

[Purpelia]

So basically the Imperial Federation just 100 years later? Sure, why not.

[Greed and Death]

Don't you all already have the commonwealth ?

[Arlenton]

Sure. I think the US should be close with a CANZUK, but certainly should not change domestic policy because of it, let alone be a part of it.

[Merni]

Don't you all already have the commonwealth ?

The Commonwealth does jack all and includes various other nations (India, Pakistan, various African countries, etc.) which were once British colonies.

[The Islands of Versilia]

I personally believe such a union would be beneficial not only in strengthening all these countries militarily and economically but also politically. A modern CANZUK would bring a much needed alternative to the Washington Bloc while not giving way to a new Russian tyranny or emboldening Chinese authority further.

I wholeheartedly support the idea, but only between those countries after whom it is named. I do not think it can work with India or any other, similarly non-Anglophone countries. I also do not support the USA being included as Washington needs to be combated rather than empowered further in my view. Reviving and building upon old imperial glory and legacies would ideally put CANZUK in a prime position of power.

Even if it only unified Britain with Canada, that’s still a significant boost to mutual power that I would vote for.

[-Astoria-]

The Commonwealth does jack all and includes various other nations (India, Pakistan, various African countries, etc.) which were once British colonies.

And Mozambique (which never was), for crying out loud.

[Dominioan]

Canzuk sounds like a disease. But the alliance is a good idea.

[Dollystana]

This sounds a lot like i m p e r i a l i s m

[Kazakah]

Sure. I think the US should be close with a CANZUK, but certainly should not change domestic policy because of it, let alone be a part of it.

Major arguments that I've heard against the US joining is:

1. The American healthcare system is functionally much different than that of CANZUK and would impede any sort of shared system
2. America would effectively dominate most trade talks due to their massive economy
3. US foreign policy is drastically different from the CANZUK powers

[Kazakah]

I personally believe such a union would be beneficial not only in strengthening all these countries militarily and economically but also politically. A modern CANZUK would bring a much needed alternative to the Washington Bloc while not giving way to a new Russian tyranny or emboldening Chinese authority further.

I wholeheartedly support the idea, but only between those countries after whom it is named. I do not think it can work with India or any other, similarly non-Anglophone countries. I also do not support the USA being included as Washington needs to be combated rather than empowered further in my view. Reviving and building upon old imperial glory and legacies would ideally put CANZUK in a prime position of power.

Even if it only unified Britain with Canada, that’s still a significant boost to mutual power that I would vote for.

My thoughts exactly. I majorly support it for free trade reasons and the fact that it would combat China's seemingly endless economic influence

[Kazakah]

This sounds a lot like i m p e r i a l i s m

That is the major gripe I have with some CANZUK supporters...they seem to view it as the Resurrection of the British Empire

[Britannia Maior]

Sure. I think the US should be close with a CANZUK, but certainly should not change domestic policy because of it, let alone be a part of it.

Major arguments that I've heard against the US joining is:

1. The American healthcare system is functionally much different than that of CANZUK and would impede any sort of shared system
2. America would effectively dominate most trade talks due to their massive economy
3. US foreign policy is drastically different from the CANZUK powers

There are those arguments but there is also how much America already culturally infests the CANZUK countries. It is my belief that the UK itself is already far too Americanised, and the inclusion of the US into the CANZUK union would only further Americanise it along with Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I would never support such an idea unless the opposite becomes the case (America becoming more and more culturally British).

[Britannia Maior]

I personally believe such a union would be beneficial not only in strengthening all these countries militarily and economically but also politically. A modern CANZUK would bring a much needed alternative to the Washington Bloc while not giving way to a new Russian tyranny or emboldening Chinese authority further.

I wholeheartedly support the idea, but only between those countries after whom it is named. I do not think it can work with India or any other, similarly non-Anglophone countries. I also do not support the USA being included as Washington needs to be combated rather than empowered further in my view. Reviving and building upon old imperial glory and legacies would ideally put CANZUK in a prime position of power.

Even if it only unified Britain with Canada, that’s still a significant boost to mutual power that I would vote for.

My thoughts exactly. I majorly support it for free trade reasons and the fact that it would combat China's seemingly endless economic influence

Agreed, particularly in Africa where it’s sunk its claws deep. That needs to change and could be done with a CANZUK union.

This sounds a lot like i m p e r i a l i s m

That is the major gripe I have with some CANZUK supporters...they seem to view it as the Resurrection of the British Empire

Though I support a British gunboat approach to foreign policy, I get what you mean. It shouldn’t be considered a Neo-British Empire.

[Kazakah]

I would support a CANZUK federation, but possibly include other countries like Ireland or India.

I'd support Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK making up the "central core" of the group while still allowing other countries if they can meet a set criteria

[Soiled fruit roll ups]

Can we just go with CANZ for now. We don't have much in common with the predominantly south Asian culture of the UK. Maybe some Ireland and independent Scotland when that happens.

[Kazakah]

That is the major gripe I have with some CANZUK supporters...they seem to view it as the Resurrection of the British Empire

Though I support a British gunboat approach to foreign policy, I get what you mean. It shouldn’t be considered a Neo-British Empire.

As much as I love the Brits and the Queen, I do value Canadian independence and sovereignty. That's why I choose to support the economic and immigration parts of CANZUK

[Kazakah]

Can we just go with CANZ for now. We don't have much in common with the predominantly south Asian culture of the UK. Maybe some Ireland and independent Scotland when that happens.

The UK would be a valuable part of the union. They have incredible diplomatic and infrastructural influence.