Formation of the North American Security Community

This article maps the formation of widely agreed yet little-studied security community in North America. Theoretically, it questions current benevolent usage of the concept of the security community and proposes a return to its more exclusive Deutschian roots. Empirically, it traces the process of evolution of the security community between Canada and the United States in the years 1867-1957. Nowadays we consider U.S.-Canada relations as one of the most peaceful ones. Use of violence comes almost as unthinkable between these two powers. However, Canadians and Americans waged war in 1812 and as late as 1920´s there were military plans on both sides prepared for the situation of American or Canadian attack. This article concludes that the security community developed in the four-stage process: unilateral accommodation – reciprocal restraint (particularly on the side of major power) – deepening of societal integration – generation of new narratives and identities. Military threat and waning imperial tie with Britain were factors conducive to cooperation.