The 1861-65 American Civil War was between Washington and Lincoln, slave owner and Harvard educated Lawyer.

Lincoln rightly won because newly industrializing America needed labour free to move rather than slaves tied to land. That most of slaves were black is irrelevant - the war was was not about race. But the deeper social contract was never updated. Are founding fathers still relevant? America unwisely thinks yes, freezing its Constitution and tying its own hands with history.

Today, we are at the dawn of another Era of Globalization where Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are defining a new world with NSR/OBOR, land based routes rather than sea, and new global institutions. This New World Order needs people, goods, and money freed from national borders, so do we need Obamas with their TTPs and sea lane grabs or Trumps with their walls? If America continues to fight the old war pitting Washington and Lincoln, it will be left behind.

Any lessons for Canada?