Paper Summary:

This paper explains how the political development in Canada is composed of particular political progresses of its provinces and their interaction and interdependency, while some of the regional characteristics of socio-cultural and political changes remain at the same level. It goes on to compare two book chapters, by J. Dickinson and B. Young and P. Linteau et al, that clarify the effects of the Great Depression and WWII on the situation in Quebec and Canada in general. The paper also argues that Linteau et al create a more comprehensive cause and effect relation between the events of the 1930s-1950s and the breakthrough of Canadian federalism by highlighting the objective economic, ideological and political necessity of the strong and monolith government, whereas Dickinson and Young view ideology as the major driving force that determined the integration of social, economic and political power under the federal roof.

From the Paper:

"Linteau et al in their overview use quite vast methodology of political economy, which resembles Marxist view on the political and social antagonism and the addiction of the capitalist society to the material good; they describe Canadian Great Depression and WWII as a set of complex political problems, oppositions and negotiations, dictated by the growing economic pressure (Linteau et al, 1991, p.111). The scholars also successfully use the method of "context studies" by discussing the Quebec development in the general Canadian context. At the same time, Dickinson and Young focus on the ideological factor (stressed in the similar Marxist terms, but with a different polarization), or strengthening of Catholicism and ideological influences of the federalist United States: "...Catholicism remained a vital force in Quebec society. It was manifested in popular piety and the ongoing place of shrines and devotions, in the ongoing strength of Catholic educational and social institutions, and in the central role of Canadian ideology in shaping family and moral life" (Dickinson and Young, 1993, p.171)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dickinson, J. and Young, B. (1993). A Short History of Quebec. McGill-Queen's Press.
• Linteau, P.-A., Lindeau, P., Durocher, R., Robert, R., Ricard, F., Chodos, R., Garmaise, E. (1991). Quebec Since 1930. James Lorimer and Company.
• Dickinson, J and Young, B. (1988). A Short History of Quebec: a socio-economic perspective. Copp Clark Pitman
• Taucar, Christopher Edward. (2000). Canadian Federalism and Quebec Sovereignty. P. Lang.
• Koffler, Lionel. (2005). Quebec 1850-1950. Firefly Books.

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