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Prologue
Charles F. Doran
Twenty-five years is a long time. Or is it? Measured by the vicissitudes of diplomacy and electoral politics in Washington, DC, a quarter of a century is an eternity; 25 years spans more than six administrations. But measured in terms of the evolution of the North American presence, 25 years is brief. Merely 20 quarter centuries have passed since Columbus anchored in American waters. Not yet 14 such intervals have been measured since Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette first dipped their paddles in the Mississippi River. And only 8 such intervals have slipped past since Britain and its dominion burned the White House before losing the last war between these North American neighbors, ushering in the possibility not only of peace but also of enduring North American partnership.
Among nation-states, partnership is cooperation with purpose. Partnership may be institutionally based, or it may simply be the result of concurrent and coordinated activity by two or more governments in terms of trade, security, or some other facet of public and foreign policy.