I believe the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland provides a better comparison than the US and Canada. While we share strong cul

I believe the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland provides a better comparison than the US and Canada. While we share strong cultural ties and a border, Canada is not a former subject of the US (despite our best attempts in 1812). These days the UK and Ireland mostly peacefully co-exist, and you can imagine how outrageous it would seem if UK soldiers started marching south from Northern Ireland because the Republic of Ireland refused to align geopolitically or promoted the Irish language.