What is CANZUK?
This site is unabashedly focused on the people of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This bias towards these nations is apparent in the discussion of laws, the parliament and the judicial system, where we list the various positions extant in these nations while we purposely avoid discussion of the American system. We don’t do this out of any hostility for the United States but rather from a conviction that the Nations of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have the most in common of any of the nations of the world.
The reasons for this are primarily historical with each of the four nations having been joined together under the British Empire, sharing (for the most part) the English Language, the common law, the Westminster Parliamentary system, the Queen and strong ties of kinship and friendship continuing up to this day. In the late 19th and early 20th century, there was even a movement to join the four nations together as a single confederated nation under the imperial federation, with the last serious discussions being held in 1937. These movements failed to achieve their aim and with Demise of the Empire and the UK joining the European Economic Community (EEC), the dream was thought to have died.
However, since the UK voted to leave the EU (the successor to the EEC), there has been renewed interest in the four nations around establishing greater trade, freedom of movement and closer political and military ties (spearheaded by CANZUK.org and CANZUK International). This movement is known by the acronym CANZUK. Which stands for Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. If this movement is successful, the new block would be truly global in scope possessing territory in all the world’s oceans and four of the six continents.
Forming the world’s 3rd or 4th (if the EU is included) largest economic block (figure 2).
With the 3rd largest Defence budget (figure 3).
The idea seems to have merit and popular support in all four nations, with a clear majority in all nations and regions surveyed indicating strong support for the idea (see figure 2).
All this is great, but you might be wondering what this has to do with Codism. Well, in short, its relevance is to do with the mutual security and economic benefits that this confederation or even the free-trade/free-movement variant of this idea could bring to our families and communities. Just as we advocate working with others in your community to enhance your families and your own security and welfare, it is important at the national level that we do the same.
We support this idea because we see it as contributing to the long-term survival of our families. By increasing military force, we could collectively bring to bear arms if any one of us was attacked. We support it because it would increase collectively our access to employment and trade opportunities through access to the European, Asian and American markets. We support it as it would allow us once again to stand as equals with our great friend and ally, the United States.
The good news is that discussions are and have been taking place between the governments of the four nations since BREXIT. If fortune smiles on us, we may see some movement on this front sooner rather than later. However, if you support this idea, reach out to CANZUK International or write to your local member.
First Published on https://www.andrew-stadtmauer.com on the 15th of July 2021