中等國家之國際參與：加拿大外交政策及其對台灣之啟示

The International Involvement of Middle Powers: The Implications of Canadian foreign policy for Taiwan

本文將試圖探討中等國家之意義與特徵，以及加國為何試圖成為中等國家，並為此採取何種做法。在二次大戰之後，加國一直被視為中等國家，雖然中等國家之意義可以依照不同的說法而有詮釋，一般而言，中等國家代表某種外交作為，並藉此在國際專業領域中獲得決策地位，此外，它通常是支持穩定的國際體系，同時，中等國家藉由在衝突各方之間擔任橋樑與承軸之角色。此外，加國外交政策之特色在於其「聯盟建立」、「議程設定」與軟性權力之運用。在聯盟建立方面，加國積極與志同道合國家共同推動重要的議題。在議題設立部分，加國為求在國際議題上創設「優勢領域」，因而推動諸如人類安全與和平建立等概念。在軟性權力之運用上，加國向來以調停國際爭執著稱，例如1956年，蘇伊士危機即是一例。在台灣積極尋求參與國際活動之際，加國在中等國家之角色與其參與國際活動之經驗著實有值得我國外交決策者作為借鏡之處。

This article will attempt to explore the meanings and characteristics of middle powers and to address the issues concerning how Canada t1ies to act as a middle power and what strategies it tend to take in achieving that goal. Following World War Two, Canada has been widely considered as a middle power. The meaning of middle power has a variety of interpretations by different standards. In general, Middle power is considered to represent a specific diplomatic practice by which it can have influence in international specialized forums. Also middle power tends to support a favorable and stable international system with an aim to securing its own national interests. Moreover middle power can distinguish itself by serving as a role of 'linchpin' or 'bridge' between conflicting parties. In fact, Canada's bid to gain the status as a middle power has its origins in its historical background, its foreign policy goal, and domestic public opinion. In the area of agenda-setting, Canada has been trying to create its ''niche'' in international issues by promoting the concept of human security and peace-building. Under such concepts, it not only has participated in UN-sponsored peace-building operations, but also has facilitated the legislation of human-right related issues. On the use of soft power, it will capitalize on the hosting of international conference to enhance its international profile.