Could the entire world learn a lesson from the Canada/ US border?

Question

200 years of working relationships, and billions of dollars of goods and services traveling daily across the border. Should the rest of the world (including SOuthern US) learn a lesson from this relationship?

Our similarities are not luck, nor are they the reason the border works. it is the other way around. The working border has allowed our countries to assimilate. And it took work and diplomacy. Lots of it. They laugh at our lack of healthcare, yet we don't stream over the border to get it. Nope, there is something else going on there...

The EU learned that lesson from the UNITED states. lol, and if our countries were the size of states, that might work.

We here in Michigan don't mind having canadian accents! lol..we are assimilated both ways ;)

stability IS the answer...how we achieve it is the question. Again, canada has socialized healthcare, and we don't, yet it doesn't matter.

Answer 1

If the rest of the world was Canadians, it would work. Something about standing on the bridge over the Niagara knocking back a brew and saying... Yep, That's a lot of water under the bridge..

Answer 2

It would be great - although I actually heard on the radio yesterday that the two countries had plans to attack each other "just in case" up until the 1930s!

Inequality seems to be the problem with borders. Both countries are free societies and "democracies" (or republics, or whatever), so there's no stream of political refugees. Economically there's not a huge difference forcing populations one way or the other. The US-Mexico border is supposedly the meeting point of the two most UNequal economies to border each other in the whole world, so there is a huge pressure for economic migration. Also, we have relatively stable ethnic population - there are no "ethnic cleansing" operations going on in either the US or Canada, and even if Quebec becomes an issue I suspect any movement of people would be within Canada, if it has not happened already.

So, the two nations are very similar. Maybe that's why there is little strife.

I'm not sure - I'm just flying by the seat of my pants. But it occurred to me, in response to your intriguing question.

PS To your PS - interesting take on things.

I suppose if there were more open borders, the countries bordering each other would influence each other even more, and there would be a two-way "assimilation."

I guess that makes it even more important to keep borders closed to neighbors who you feel would bring you down!

PPS Some have said that Mexico's economic and legal systems need to be changed. Certainly they are rich in national resources and human capital. So that must be the problem, they say.

Answer 3

We don't need the US and Canada as an example, we have a way better solution now between most EU states in Europe, we got rid of the borders!
No more checkpoints and waiting, no more passports and searches, your car insurance automatically includes travel to the other member countries. Even Norway and Switzerland, who are not EU members, have now joined the agreement that makes this possible. The English didn't want any, of course, and Ireland had to follow them because of the North.

Answer 4

in case you go at a criminal port of get right of entry to between u . s . and Canada, then confident you are able to. you do no longer prefer a vehicle or a bus. even with the undeniable fact that, when you consider that maximum border crossings are interior the midst of nowhere, do you intend to hike there or walk on the part of the line? ensure that even with the undeniable fact which you get to the border crossing, you're no longer breaking the regulation, which incorporate walking on the part of a street which may well be unlawful in some states or provinces. And in case you have been making plans on trekking throughout the time of without going to the border crossing, then beware. however the borders are no longer inevitably manned each and each of how alongside, they do have sensors that come across action, satellite tv for pc or airplane surveillance, border brokers on horseback or ATV, and in some factors of the states, close by militias (finished with firearms) do their very very own monitoring...you may desire to be trespassing on inner maximum sources, giving them the main suitable to shoot first and ask questions later! My suggestion...go the place you're allowed to, and take a bus considering's extra convenient.

Answer 5

It could if we accept the idea that people are going to get along. For the most part our relationship with Canada has been very amiable with no war or strife, but many countries do not enjoy such a close and open relationship. Open borders only work properly when each side means no harm to the other.

Answer 6

Here's problem... you don't have a mass influx of Canadians trying to come across that border illegally.

It'd be great if the US had the same relationship with Mexico as it enjoys with Canada. I don't think illegal immigration would even be a topic were that true.

Answer 7

Mr Cellophane

Living in a part of Michigan, Where Canada is north South and East of me, I appreciate your humor, had to chuckle.

To Asker, Good Question, it does seem like we have a very tolerable relationship that others could only hope to have

Answer 8

what is the lesson and what keeps it working? how about two stable govts..... this is why stability is the answer in Iraq and the middle east..........

edit your right there but just haven't gotten over the hump. there is a group of religious fanatics that dont want stability they want to rule. They dont accept life on this earth as being precious as we do so they use the weak minded to spread their ideology to in turn spread their theocracy. This is the whole point.... they are irrational and cant be talked out of their beliefs.

Answer 9

All Over the world, they do not have the same situation like we do. Canada is not Muslim and were Christian/Jewish, or Canada isn't Communist and we Democracy. We just happened to get lucky to be around the countries were around. Other countries are having a heck of a harder time.

Answer 10

as soon as we figure out the lesson and how we made it work maybe so lol.. but yeah, it's would be nice if it all worked that way.. but you have to have two nations side by side that get along as well as Canada and the US do, as well as have similar standards of living.. at least close enough to prevent mass relocation.