Bob Rae has been a part of the Canadian and Toronto political landscape for decades.
And the ideas that make up his new book, Exporting Democracy, have likely been swirling around in his fact-filled head for just as long.
He might still find it hard to shake off his days as the former Premier of Ontario when he introduced the, well, let’s say much-maligned Rae Days.
But, this book is a good start. And, really, a good resume for the post for Minister of Foreign Affairs should the position become available in the near future. Ahem.
In the book, Rae asks the big questions about democracy, human rights and just how we go about influencing other countries in pursuit of this goal. But, where did it all begin?
“I think, it wasn’t just one event. There are a bunch of things happening in the world that really led me,”Rae explains.“Just looking at how difficult and challenging it is to really engage on democratic and human right issues and how necessary it is.”
Although some countries prefer to impose democratic institutions on other countries through the barrel of a gun (Not mentioning any names … America!), Rae argues for a more grassroots approach — a democracy by the people, for the people kind of vibe.
“My main conclusion is that it is not about pulling a constitution off a shelf or to sell democracy like you sell refrigerators and cars,”says Rae.“The will comes from inside a people and inside a culture.”
Whatever path is chosen, turning our backs or putting our heads in the sand is no longer possible in an ever-shrinking world where everything and everyone is connected.
“There are no longer places that are too far away or countries that are too impossible to understand,” Rae explains. “The second thing is that it has to be done with a considerable amount of humility. It is a long process, and it is not done most effectively at the end of a barrel of a gun.”
A lawyer by training, Rae is currently a member of Parliament for the riding of Toronto Centre and is the foreign affairs critic with the Liberal Party of Canada. Despite the party losing a key riding in the November byelection, Rae is looking forward to an election.
“There could well be an election in the near future, and we have to be prepared for it,” says Rae. “Whatever happens after that, depending on the result. I’m sticking with it [politics].”