theglobeandmail.com
Ultimatum": A 1973 Novel's Eerie Echo in Current Geopolitics
Richard Rohmer's 1973 novel, "Ultimatum," details a U.S. president's demand for Canadian natural gas, escalating to a military invasion; its recent resurgence reflects anxieties about U.S.-Canada relations.
- What are the key parallels between the fictional scenario in "Ultimatum" and contemporary U.S.-Canada relations, and what anxieties do these parallels highlight?
- Richard Rohmer's 1973 novel, "Ultimatum," depicts a U.S. president demanding access to Canada's natural gas, culminating in a military invasion. This plot eerily mirrors current anxieties about U.S.-Canada relations, highlighting a resurgence of interest in the novel.
- How does "Ultimatum" reflect broader historical anxieties about American expansionism in Canada, and what aspects of the novel resonate with contemporary readers?
- The novel's renewed relevance stems from parallels between its fictional scenario and current geopolitical tensions. Rohmer's depiction of an aggressive U.S. president demanding Canadian resources resonates with real-world concerns about resource control and national sovereignty.
- What are the potential future implications of the renewed interest in "Ultimatum," and how does the novel's resurgence inform discussions about Canada's national security and its relationship with the United States?
- Ultimatum's" enduring appeal suggests a persistent Canadian fear of U.S. encroachment. The novel's resurgence underscores the ongoing anxieties surrounding resource security and the potential for international conflict, prompting renewed discussion about Canada's vulnerability.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing centers on the book's uncanny prescience, emphasizing the author's surprise and the parallels between the fictional scenario and recent political rhetoric. This framing inevitably draws a link between the book and current anxieties surrounding US-Canada relations, potentially influencing the reader's interpretation of the current political landscape. The headline and lead focus on the book's eerie echoes of current events, directing reader attention to this specific aspect.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and descriptive. Terms like "brash," "alarming," and "berserk" describe the president's actions, but these are arguably accurate, reflecting the source material and avoiding overly loaded terms. Overall, the article maintains an objective tone.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the author and his book, with less emphasis on the current political climate and alternative perspectives on US-Canada relations. While this is understandable given the focus on the book's resurgence, it could benefit from a broader discussion of the anxieties driving this renewed interest. The article mentions some political scientists' views, but lacks in-depth analysis of how the book's themes resonate with contemporary geopolitical events, especially since the article's focus is the book's eerie foreshadowing of present-day events.
Gender Bias
The article features multiple male voices (the author, reviewers, academics). While there is a female reviewer quoted, the gender balance is not perfectly even, but there is no apparent bias in the reporting or selection of quotes. The focus is on expertise and relevance, not gender.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses a novel that eerily predicts current geopolitical tensions between the US and Canada, highlighting anxieties about potential US aggression and undermining international peace and stability. The fictional scenario of a US invasion of Canada reflects real-world concerns about respect for national sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.