This article examines Canadian foreign policy toward Venezuela, as a litmus test of Ottawa’s promise to project a consistently strong voice for the protection of human rights and the advancement of democratic values in the world. The case is made that Canada is more likely to gear up to an assertive approach if there is a perception that there is an opportunity for democratization in the country, and for policymakers in Ottawa, if there is an opportunity to prioritize human rights and democracy, as opposed to more traditional national interest objectives. The article offers an explanation about when and how Canada typically promotes its liberal values abroad.

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在国外促进人权和民主价值观的机会：加拿大对委内瑞拉的外交政策案例

本文考察了加拿大对委内瑞拉的外交政策，以此作为对渥太华承诺的试金石，即为保护人权和促进世界民主价值观发出一贯强烈的声音。如果有人认为该国有实现民主化的机会，那么加拿大更有可能采取果断的态度，而渥太华的政策制定者如果有机会优先考虑人权和民主，与更传统的国家利益目标相反。这篇文章解释了加拿大通常何时以及如何在国外推广其自由价值观。