Abstract This paper explains that the attitude of Canadian public, which expects its government to solve its problems, grew out of the need to re-integrate soldiers after WWI and to deal with the ills of the Great Depression. The author points out that this attitude resulted in the state now having an enormous involvement in matters such as health care, unemployment insurance and social welfare benefits. The paper relates that the history of Canada since 1867 has been a process of steadily securing more and more sovereignty and power; however, new forces, chiefly globalization, are now at work and raise the specter that Canada could see its domestic writ subordinated to the writ of trade agreements, such as NAFTA. The author reports that land and governance issues appear to be the paramount concerns of the Canadian aboriginal people.
Table of Content
Changes in State since its Founding
Relationship between State and Society
Citizens' Trust in Government
Challenges to Canada's Sovereignty
Democratic Deficit
The Traditional Canada Political Culture
Traditional Functions of CanadianPolitical Parties
The Power of the Prime Minister
Canadian Elections
Canada's Constitution
The Parliament
Public Opinion Polling and the Media
The Role of Regionalism
Quebec and Federal-Provincial Relations
Canada's Aboriginal People
The Diminishment of the Welfare State
Influence of Big Business on Politics
From the Paper "Most evidently, Quebec changed federal-provincial relations in the 1960s when it began to opt out of the conditions attached to federal grants, established its own pension plan, and argued for a larger voice for itself internationally. In that regard, the decision to give Quebec control over social programs has understandably made it easier for other provinces to demand the same thing. ... it is clear that other provinces are sufficiently compelled to argue for rights of their own, too. So, basically, the Canadian response to Quebec nationalism or to the new Francophone "consciousness" of the 1960s has been to give Quebec exceptional status and powers."
Abstract This paper reviews Gad Horowitz's book, Canadian Labour in Politics, focusing specifically on the argument Horowitz makes concerning why labor plays a critical role in Canadianpolitics, but not in U.S. politics. It reviews the argument Horowitz makes concerning Louis Hartz's view of liberal societies. It considers Horowitz's claim that labor is important because Canadian society evolved out of a tradition wherein government is seen -- even by conservatives -- as having an important role to play. It looks at the impact Horowitz's argument has had on politicians and academics.
From the Paper "In his book Canadian Labour in Politics, Gad Horowitz, provides an analysis of the labor movement's influence on Canadian political life. He discusses the means by which Canada's labor unions have entered the political system as a vital and enduring force -- a force that does not stand outside politics as merely another interest group attempting to gain notice, but as an integrated party crucial to the very political fabric of the society. His work in this book is seminal to the understanding of cultural and social forces that allow labor to be a primary driver of the nation's politics."
Abstract This paper is an historical assessment of Canadianpolitics. The paper evaluates the differences between 19th Century Conservatism and late 20th Century Neo-Conservatism in Canadianpolitical history, and describes these differences in relation to Canadian business and economics.
Abstract This paper examines the role of interest groups and political parties in the Canadianpolitical process. It identifies their roles and compares and contrasts them.
Abstract This paper reviews the enormous strides that have been made by Canadian women in recent decades. It discusses how since the 1970s, the number of women attending graduate school, entering the professions and involving themselves in the political process has climbed steadily. The paper then examines how far women have come and whether or not more needs to be done to adequately represent females at the highest reaches of public policy.
Abstract This paper asks whether the office of the Canadian Prime Minister is a behemoth that should be dismantled before one or another occupant of it becomes a megalomaniac. The paper questions if Canada's Prime Minister, the office and/or the person filling it, is more powerful than is good or wise for Canada's future.
From the Paper "One might argue that Canada would want to avoid emulating anything U.S, at this precarious juncture in U.S. history especially, and as the power of the U.S. presidency is also being weighed by pundits from all ends of the political spectrum. Laxer noted ?modern technologies and the liberal ethos of the free market dissolved Canada's distinctive culture. Grant predicted Canada's demise in the long run because it had adopted American values ? (2000, p. 55). It is arguable that the office of the Prime Minister creates, for Canada, an atmosphere that emulates that of the United States. It is arguable that, if Canada wishes to continue a strong federal system that serves all its citizens, the office of the Prime Minister is indeed too powerful."
Abstract This paper looks at global warming and its impact, both climactically and politically, upon Canada. In particular, the paper asserts that global warming has impacted Canada's environment in a tangible way and has also transformed Canadianpolitics - perhaps not for the better. Additionally, the paper examines how global warming is impacting vulnerable wildlife species and aboriginal or native societies in various regions of Canada. Furthermore, the paper looks at global warming's effects upon Canadianpolitics, with special attention devoted to the charged rhetoric surrounding the issue. The paper concludes that global warming is sharpening the ideological and political divide between those Canadians who believe something drastic needs to be done and those who do not feel so inclined.
From the Paper "The more temperate Northern Canadian climate also has serious implications for ultraviolet B exposure in Canadian inland waters. Although one recent study suggests that "dissolved organic matter-mediated ultraviolet B exposure" is not a serious problem for those Canadian inland waters that were examined, the same report also found that "optically clear" and at-risk ponds were much more common (perhaps even surprisingly common) in the artic eco-zones - particularly in the Northern artic and in the artic cordillera (Molot et al, 2511-2512). To sum up this entire section, Canada's climate is changing in ways that put many aquatic and terrestrial species in harm's way."
Tags: environment, ecology, rhetoric, climate, Canadian, politics, government
This paper on the Canadianpolitical economy states that Canada is seen as a thriving post-modern economy but, at the same time, sufferers from problems of political identity disintegration and economic regionalization.
Abstract This paper states that Canadians are overwhelmed with uncertainties about the capacity of their political system to achieve their economic goals. The author believes that the federal state is moving towards neoliberal control, which downgraded economic tasks to lower levels of governance and raised power to the global and continental tiers. The paper describes the many changes that have taken place in the role and organization of the Canadian government to achieve this neoliberal economic policy.
From the Paper "Since the Canadian government settles trade treaties but can execute them only in areas of its own constitutional jurisdiction, provincial participation has been necessary to realize what are understood to be the profit of liberalized trade. For this reason, Ottawa has encouraged improved provincial participation since the 1970s. In contradiction, an increased provincial function in trade policy has resulted in diminished provincial capability for industrial policy."
This paper applies the principles presented in Richard C. Box's "Citizen Governance: Leading American Communities into the 21st Century" to Canadianpolitics, which bear little resemblance to American governmental practices.
Abstract This paper explains that Canada has a long history of political dissension, which is important to the function of the parliament and the provincial legislatures because this system is dependant on the loyalty of one party's colleagues to stand behind them while the other party provides appropriate criticism. The author points out that, while most times a Canadian citizen's choice of party affiliation stems from a commonality of ideals and principles, it also can be based on nothing more than family tradition. The paper relates that, in Canada, the political scene is constantly evolving; in recent years, decentralization has been on the rise, the federal government has abdicated many of its powers to the provinces and the traditional three-party system has splintered off into various other factions.
From the Paper "While Box's emphasis is on individualism, Canadians seek more explicit acknowledgement of the importance and influence of social organization, expressed in the concept of community, as both driving and restraining individuals' behavior. After all, individuals live in communities that are real in a physical sense, as members of a social group living in and identifying with a locality. However, these communities are also real in a social sense, as members of social groups with common cultural characteristics such as shared beliefs and values. Additionally, they are solidified in an economic sense, as in a group's common ownership of economic resources or participation in economic endeavor."
Tags: community, dissension, decentralization, socialism, regions
Abstract This paper addresses the question of women's participation in Canadianpolitics. Initially, the composition of the current House of Commons and Cabinet is considered. Brief biographies of Grace MacInnis and Therese F Casgrain illustrate the challenges that early female politicians faced in 'a man's world'. Finally, future trends and developments as well as measures to increase the participation of women in politics are examined.
Abstract The authors argues that while social democracy is rarely spoken of as a dominant, united voice in Canadianpolitics, social democrats, both officially and as grassroots activists, have played key roles in shaping Canadian social policy; their crown jewel being nationalized healthcare. The authors goes on to discuss that while social democrats in this country have generally found themselves on the outside of the power structure looking in, the official party's job is now more or less to find ways to affect change with limited access to the power structure. Finally, the author states that the past, present, and future of the New Democratic Party (NDP) seems to be based on the party's ability to act as more activist than government.
From the Paper "So, despite its power outage, while the NDP is a legitimate mainstream party, except in the province of Quebec where it has never elected a New Democrat during a general election, it would appear that there will be limits on that legitimacy. Where the party can continue to be a useful official voice, however, is its persistence to criticize of the effects of free trade and globalization, and the ensuing rate of American ownership of Canadian resources. Historically, the NDP essentially forced a 1970s Trudeau Liberal minority government to form the Foreign Investment Review Agency to act as watch dog (Whitehorn n.p.) of sorts."
Tags: NDP politics, social policy, government power
An analysis of how both democracies are born of the same imperial template with similar political sub cultures, yet although similar, their political cultures are different.
3,770 words (approx. 15.1 pages), 8 sources, 2000, $ 103.95
Abstract Background
British Influence in the US and Canada
US Civil War ? It's affect on Canada's constitution
Constitutional Divergence ? Canada, US, and England
Political Culture
Political Sub Culture
Statistical Facts
Tags: canada, political, science, us, united, states
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that in Canada in the early 21st century there is the widespread belief that racism is largely a concern of other countries given such state policies as multiculturalism. This being said, this essay argues, through the critical examination of scholarly texts on the subject, that, in fact, the development of Canada as a racist political culture defines the fundamental institutions of the Canadian state to the present day. The writer maintains that when Canada is considered in terms of its historical development, in terms of its policy making - as in the case of multiculturalism - or in terms of its political culture manifested in the mass media and the economy, there exists overwhelmingly evidence in support of the contention that Canada is a fundamentally racist political culture.
From the Paper "Consider, for example, the unrest that has often erupted in Canada between Aboriginals and the government/land developers who are seeking to build on sacred Aboriginal lands. Even if we set aside the issue that all of the North American continent itself originally belonged to the ancestors of these Aboriginals, the fact that it has been so difficult for these First Nations to enforce their treaty rights through the courts that they must resort to peaceful civil disobedience is evidence of the radical inequality in the Canadian social, political and economic systems. Indeed, as the conflicts years ago at Akwasasne and Oka, dissent and civil disruption appear to be the only way that marginalized populations can make their case in the public arena given that they are effectively dispossessed."
Abstract Canadian history has created realities different from those of the United States and which continue to shape Canadianpolitical, economic and social life. By investigating the nature of the language question in Canada and recent challenges to Canadian education, it is possible to obtain a glimpse of a country whose politics and government must be studied with attention to the influences of the past. An important set of factors has to do with the rather conservative administrative style inherited from a British system as Canada gained independence in 1867. The duties handled by different levels of government continue to reflect an older heritage, as is pointed out later in this paper.
Abstract This paper discusses the role played in Canadianpolitics by the Charter of Rights in Canada's new Constitution. The writer gives a brief synopsis of the rights that the Charter seeks to confer, and the powers it has given to the Courts of Canada. In the case of "Regina v. Dr. Morgentaler", which was given top press coverage, the writer shows how section seven within the Charter of Rights was used as a lever to justify the overturning of the existing abortion laws. The writer discusses three main choices which the elimination of the Abortion Laws has left for the government's leaders, and concludes by emphasizing the care with which the Prime Minister must watch the media and its ability to sway the people's passions.
From the Paper "In order to better understand how that could happen, it may be worthwhile to note that a brief outline of the Constitution shows that it circumscribes three main areas. The first area is where the Constitution gives basic principles and goals; the second outlines how power will be distributed within the nation; and the third area covers the basic rights and freedoms given to a citizen. Upon considering the areas mentioned, we see that the Constitution of Canada basically outlines the rules by which politics may be executed within this country. And we know that it is vitally important to have a Constitution so that we may have a proper base of law and order with which to be governed by and to live by."
