Canada and the origin of NATO: resolving a historiographical problematic
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Date
2007
Authors
Adeleke
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
The historiography of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, has grown tremendously
since the pact was signed in 1949. One notable feature of this historiography is the breadth of its
range and diversity and the different perspectives that scholars have brought to bear on their works.
For example, a section of the literature is devoted to the problems of alliance politics, that is, the
nature of relations between the members. These works explore the cultural, economic, social, and
intellectual problems within the alliance, while others explore the role of the smaller powers in the
organization. Some authors are more interested in security or military matters. Others focus on the
organization’s response to internal and external crises. While some authors measure the
organization’s accomplishments and failures, others prognosticate on its future, especially in the
light of recent changes in the international system. Then there are the many official histories
produced by the organisation.
In fact, the literature on NATO is so vast that it will be patently absurd to attempt to cover all of it in
one review. The paper will therefore focus on one theme: Canada’s contribution to the origin of
NATO. This theme has received very conflicting and contradictory treatment in the literature. Most
authors who have examined NATO’s origin have restricted their account to a few chapters; others
have treated the subject in conjunction with other themes in general works ranging from memoirs to
national histories. Few of the authors agree on the exact nature of Canadian contribution. The lack
of consensus on the origin of NATO or of Canada’s contribution has generated a historiographical
problematic. The paper seeks to resolve this problematic by determining the nature and extent of
Canadian contribution to the formulation of the alliance.
Description
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Keywords
International system , Alliance , Historiographical , Problematic , Prognosticate , NATO
Citation
Canada and the Origin of NATO: Resolving a Historiographical Problematic (2007) Nigerian Journal of International Affairs, 33 (2) 121-133.