T. R.Berger's "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the critical paradigm recognizes that reality is the product of history and analyzes it accordingly through social, political, cultural, economic, ethnic and gender values developed over time. The author states that, when applying the critical-emancipatory approach to T. R. Berger's "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland", the observer understands that the whole issue surrounding the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry involves a strong reaction to historical reality issues especially the importance of the First Nation people and the environmental supporters in deciding against the pipeline project. The paper relates that the constructivist-interpretive paradigm assumes that to understand the world and its meaning, one must interpret it. The author underscores that the constructivist-interpretive paradigm can be applied to Berger's work in that his assessment of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline is heavily subjective and based upon interpretation of multiple realities.

Table of Contents
The Strengths and Weakness of the Critical Paradigm
Application of the Critical-Emancipatory Approach to "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland"
The Strength and Weakness of the Constructivist-Interpretive Paradigm
Application of the Critical Constructivist- Interpretive Paradigm to "Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland"

From the Paper:

"It is easy to analyze the Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland document in terms of the critical-emancipatory approach. Indeed, the whole issue surrounding the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry involves a strong reaction of social, political, cultural, economic and ethnic issues derived from processes over history. The writer, Berger, has assessed the contentious issue of the pipeline development firstly in terms of economic issues: that is, that it will be good for the Canadian economy, particularly the northern Canadians who will be brought now into the "mainstream of the Canadian economy" (Berger, 1988, p. 3). Ultimately, however, Berger has acknowledged the role of ethnicity in appraising the pipeline project and assessing its worth. His final position assumes the First Nation Canadians are correct; environmentally-speaking, the project should not go on). The role of acknowledging the importance of the First Nation people and the environment in deciding against the pipeline project display evidence of cultural, social, political and ethnic values in evaluating the situation.

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berger, T. R. (1988). Northern frontier northern homeland: The report of the Mackenzie valley pipeline inquiry (rev. ed.). Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre.

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