Nathaniel Borins is a third-year Political Science Specialist at the University of Toronto’s Saint George campus. His course work focuses on global and political economic processes. He is particularly interested in global trade policy and its domestic political ramifications. He reads widely in these areas, but is equally interested in political history and biography, contemporary longform political journalism, and travel literature. He travels as much as he can and tries to use those opportunities to gain insight into countries and issues he has studied. He has experience as an academic research assistant, working on a multi-year project on religion and environmental activism. He has also interned at a criminal law firm in downtown Toronto. In summer 2023, he participated in an immersive French language program at Laval University.
Nathaniel Borins Society, Culture, and Security

An Explanation of Western and Russian Interests and Aims in the Francophone West African “Coup Belt”

Since 2020, there have been seven coups in six French-speaking West African countries. Many of them have involved conflicts between military groups or established governments supported by France, and by extension the West and NATO, and rebel groups or juntas supported by Russia. France’s role as the main patron of established power in these countries Read More…

Nathaniel Borins Security, Trade and the Economy Uncategorized

What Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Honourable Pierre Poilievre Can Learn From a Rightwing Libertarian’s Presidential Election Victory in Argentina

Argentina’s election last autumn saw a right-wing libertarian outsider with a unique public persona, Javier Milei, defeat the sitting center-left economy minister, Sergio Massa. Since the election’s main issues were the nation’s post-COVID economic troubles, there are many lessons that this can provide for other countries that are also coming out of the pandemic, even Read More…

Nathaniel Borins Security, Trade and the Economy

Which Sectors Stand to Gain From Dollarization in Argentina?

On November 19, 2023, Argentina completed its presidential election, elevating libertarian candidate Javier Milei to the role. One of his primary campaign promises was to dollarize the economy. In addition to being a bold and uncommon campaign promise, Milei’s unconventional style of campaigning (eg. smashing central bank pinadas during television interviews) was idiosyncratic and contributed Read More…

Nathaniel Borins NATO and Canada

International and Security Benefits of an Active Canadian Role in Venezuela

Many Venezuelans are eagerly hoping the election July 8, 2024 can be used to restart the rule of law and democratic norms in their country. Why should Canada actively support this process? Under socialist President Nicolas Maduro, during the 2010s, Venezuela became known internationally as the most left-wing country in Latin America, with the exception Read More…