The US-Canadian security cooperation: the role of institutions and identity

The article assesses the evolution of the US-Canada security relationship and aims to identify the drivers of security continuity and changes in the field of intelligence sharing, border security, law enforcement, and counterterrorism. The author argues that institutions are inherently stable factors, while ideas stimulate change, but are mediated by continuity, identity and interests. Broadly institutionalized US-Canadian relations are less vulnerable to various internal and external changes because they are governed by a common structure of collective security based on common institutes, identities and interests, and there is little chance of a radical change in the institutional structure that is the bases of the world's strongest and oldest security community.