CANZUK: Charting a New Course for the Anglosphere

As CANZUK 'emerges from the fog,' it presents an exciting geopolitical prospect that stands 'less than an empire, more than a Commonwealth.' This vision of CANZUK as a nascent supra-state—the fourth largest geopolitical entity in the world—spans over two continents and boasts significant power projection and economic capabilities. Through the Euler diagram I constructed below, you can realise the extent of the compatibility of CANZUK within our many alliances. Our exploration has established that CANZUK is a cohesive union rooted in liberal democracy and parliamentarism, embodying a bond of mutual and cultural significance that celebrates the Anglosphere's proud history. This new alliance is a product of structural realism, reflecting the United Kingdom's decision to establish an international outlook and honour its longstanding bonds with the Commonwealth.

The crux of our discussion has been to ascertain what CANZUK represents. It is both an economic and political entity with intertwined objectives that include the expansion of trade, free movement, and labour markets. By leveraging economies of scale, CANZUK unites high-performing economies that, individually, might be dwarfed by the growth and scale of 'tiger economies.' This strategic union underscores the importance of the Anglosphere and reinforces fellow Atlanticist organizations such as NATO and AUKUS. While NATO's presence in Europe aims at containing Russian expansion, CANZUK serves as a strategic bulwark against further Chinese military and economic advances in the Far East. CANZUK is steadily 'emerging from the fog' of international anarchy, and its continued manifestation seems promising. As discussed in the introduction, CANZUK exemplifies cratogenesis, or the creation of a new nation-state as defined by Evriviades and Copley.

This ambitious project aims to generate a new suprastate to counter belligerent powers exploiting global anarchy from a realist perspective. However, CANZUK is not constructed from a vacuum; it also represents cratometamorphosis—the reorganization of an existing nation. It builds upon the British Commonwealth of Nations, deriving strength from century-old political and cultural bonds that have weathered world wars and constant crises. Alongside these enduring bonds is an economic partnership marked by exceptional and dynamic growth. According to 2021 calculations by the IMF, the combined GDP of CANZUK nations approaches $7 trillion. This impressive economic foundation highlights the clear potential of CANZUK as a nascent concept. Our exploration posits CANZUK as a potent attempt at rebalancing the global order and empowering the Anglosphere to act against emergent threats.

With a cohesive economic model paired with significant maritime power projection, CANZUK remains an exciting yet realistic prospect for the future. This vision is not merely a theoretical construct but a pragmatic and dynamic entity poised to reshape the geopolitical landscape.

David Moore

Director of Conservative Friends of CANZUK