In the essay, “Federalism, Nationalism, and Reason”, Pierre Trudeau addresses the history and origins of self-determination and nationalism and its central role in federal statehood, he then discusses the interactions of federalism and nationalism in a Canadian context. Trudeau posits major arguments that will be assessed in this review. First, he postures that that the federal state is driven by self-determination and nationalism, which ultimately makes it unstable due to its foundation in emotionalism rather than reason. Second, Trudeau outlines the historical factors that resulted in the separatist narrative in Quebec and claims that Canadian nationalism cannot combat Quebec’s regional nationalism.
Trudeau begins the essay with a historical
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316). Rocher draws upon the same historical timeline as Trudeau when he alludes to the period of modernization in Quebec after WWII, however he focuses on the distribution of autonomy and responsibility to provinces for managing their own institutions separate from the central government (p. 316). The transfer of health care, education, social services, and economic development was representative of the pragmatism of the constitution and the sharing of jurisdictions between regional and central governments (p. 316). Although there is no mention of the role of nationalism by Rocher, he thoroughly mentions the role the central government plays in ensuring national unity, he describes the position of the federal government as “having to consult, coordinate and, inevitably, compromise in the face of mounting federal-provincial conflict”, this is connected to the discussion of compromise between the central and regional governments described by Trudeau (p. …show more content…
Institutional and historical analysis often portray the motives of governments, especially in the cases of Quebec separatism and Aboriginal mistreatment. History describes attempts at compromise to rectify the problems by altering political institutions to provide more autonomy to the provinces, witness in various accords and the methods described previously. However, in regards to Aboriginals a historical relationship of exploitation and eradication sheds on the systemic issues that Aboriginals cope with and the institutions that caused them. As scholars of Canadian politics, it is important to consider historical and institutional analyses when looking at any issue, as it reveals the underlying motives of actors in regards to the cleavages that comprise a state. This is especially evident in Trudeau’s account of how over-zealous nationalism prevented Quebec from modernizing prior to WWII, setting it behind the rest of the
Source III portrays that Canadian nationalism was created by the victory of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and how the battle unified and strengthened Canada as a nation. The source embraces civic nationalism and illustrates how a strong sense of patriotism for one’s country can be founded and can further inspire and establish nationalism. For example, the Canadian soldiers that fought at Vimy Ridge were patriotic and fought for Canada, and the results and rewards of the battle were significant to the war. At the time, German leaders and soldiers that fought at Vimy Ridge would disagree with the source, as they believed the Battle of Vimy Ridge did not considerably influence the outcome of the war. They would argue that although the location and
Countries and states all over the world have diverse groups of leaders who serve in different parties. The leaders make different political decisions that governs the citizens of the given country or state. Canada has been governed by various leaders among them being John Diefenbaker, who served in the position of prime minister. This essay will provide various information of John Diefenbaker in relation to biography, analysis of the political career and personal evaluation in relation to John Diefenbaker’s leadership. John George Diefenbaker was born on September18, 1895, in Ontario at a place called Neustadt and was a child to William.
During his time as Prime Minster, he accomplished multiple “things” for the country. Some examples are the Canadian pension plan, universal health care system, unified arm force, maple leaf flag. Most importantly however was the influence Pearson had on Canada’s nationalism, such ways as bring the two opposed people of Canada, known as Anglophones and Francophones together, and having a common ground. When Quebec revealed that it did not want to be ran by an English government, Pearson knew this problem could be solved by cooperation. During his first year and a half, Pearson had more meetings than Diefenbaker had in his six year
Social and political activism in aboriginal communities Aboriginal people in Eurocentric society struggle to gain acknowledgment and fair treatment in Canada through the use of diplomatic solutions. Maria Campbell’s “Halfbreed,” sheds some light, in this autobiographical view, telling of a woman and her struggles to belong, and gain recognition as an ethnic group (metis), growing up in Saskatchewan. The article, “Defining Indigenous space,” written by Ken Coates and Greg Poelzer, brings about the nature of First Nations and federal government relations, with respect to land claims and the political implications and legal processes that go along with political struggle. The first nations land claims were permitted disallowing the development
The tension between provincial and federal government is a continual struggle for power in Canadian politics. On April 16th, 1981, the highly debated April Accord was signed by the Gang of 8 and proposed to Trudeau as an amending formula for the Constitution. On the surface, it appeared to demonstrate a united front within the provinces in the Gang of 8. However, there is much controversy over whether the accord was an authentic solution to the amending formula or a way to stall negotiations since Trudeau would not approve it. Thus, the April Accord represents the political tension between the Gang of 8 and Prime Minister Trudeau.
The Canadian political system is based entirely on democracy. As a democracy it has the duty “to protect itself against the forces of dissolution as soon as they [appear]” (Pierre Trudeau 133). Few people would disagree with the government’s decision to invoke the act. Surely because of the apprehension, almost everybody in the nation was feeling during the violent insurrection in Quebec. Resulting from “seven years of terrorist assaults in Montreal and Ottawa” (130) in which “resulted in six deaths” (Eric Kierans 181).
Maioni tried to underline the importance of structural factors adding additional explanations which is based on Canadian federalism and party politics. Mioni not only tried to convince the readers of what she was discussing by providing historical proves but she also left a print in the reader’s mind. The case allows us to control such factors that are not being controlled for in comparisons to Europe. The centralized parliamentary system presented in Canada allowed for major changes to take place.
In many countries, conflict between different groups of people is inevitable. In Canada, the divide between English-speaking and French-speaking regions has been a prominent political and cultural topic since the birth of the nation. The most well known of these conflicts goes to Quebec. The province has sprouted several movements and parties supporting the autonomy and independence of Quebec. One of those parties is the Bloc Quebecois.
For many years Quebec had fallen behind the rest of the country in their social conditions while they were led by Maurice Duplessis and the Union Nationale as they rejected any progressive ideas and worked to keep Quebec 's focus on the French language, the Catholic Church, and Quebec 's culture. After the death of Duplessis and the election of their new liberal leader Jean Lesage, Quebec started the Quiet Revolution where they began to turn their back on the Catholic Church, change their traditions based on high birth rates and early marriages, question many social standards, and turn their new main focus towards education. This revolution fueled the Nationalist fire that many Quebecois had found when they feared for their culture and language throughout Canada 's history such as the conscription crisis in both World War One and Two, and when Ontario 's
In fact, this lecture that is composed by ministers, includes statements on the condition of the nation and more precisely, explains the intentions and future plans of the government of Canada. Finally, either the Governor General or the Queen of England can read the
Canada is now known to be a diverse, multicultural, bilingual and inclusive nation largely as a result of his work. Pierre Elliott Trudeau also believed in an equal Canada for all, he is primarily the one to introduce rights and freedoms to the citizens of Canada. While some view Pierre Trudeau as impulsive, for enforcing the War Measures Act, Trudeau enacted this for the protection of Canadian citizens against radical extremist and his actions were more rational than impulsive for the situation that had suddenly occurred. Pierre Trudeau was one of Canada’s greatest Prime Minister’s, who’s impact fundamentally changed the course of the nation by introducing multiculturalism, for introducing the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and for paradoxically upholding democracy by strong action during the October Crisis.
To call this era of drastic change the ‘Quiet Revolution’ is a vivid, and yet, paradoxical description. The Quiet Revolution was a time of intense socio-political and socio-cultural change in Quebec, which extended beyond Quebec’s borders because of its influence on contemporary Canadian politics. As a result of the effects of the changes that occurred during this Quiet Revolution, most Quebec provincial governments since the early 1960s have maintained political and social orientations based on the core concepts developed and implemented during the Quiet Revolution. As such, there is no doubt that the Quiet Revolution had a significant impact in Canadian History. This impact can be characterized by the prelude to the Quiet Revolution; the demographic evolution of Quebec; the social educational reforms that were put in place; the economic reforms and their impact; the rise of nationalism; and finally, the cultural changes that occurred.
Today, Canada is seen as a multicultural and peaceful nation that has evolved over the course of history. This great nation would never have been possible without the impact that former Prime Minister, Lester B. Pearson left on this country. His achievements and insights profoundly affected and shaped Canada’s nation. First, peacekeeping is an important part of Canada’s heritage and a reflection of its fundamental beliefs that Pearson implemented after dealing with world changing situations and winning a Nobel Prize. Also, his contributions as a liberal leader as well as the flaws and controversy with Diefenbaker did in fact define this country.
William Lyon Mackenzie King, a man of glory, forever changed Canada’s constitution during the tumultuous nineteenth century and resolved all difficulties Canada faced on its way to becoming a strong, independent, and autonomous nation. His contributions and sanctions targeted all factors at the time and had interrelated effects on the construction of Canada. Unlike other Canadian politicians, King handled every crisis with thorough planning and achieved promising outcomes from unsolvable problems. It is without a doubt that King was the most influential figure in Canada’s development. His role in the autonomy, economic development, and social stability stands as solid evidence of the pioneering impacts he had on Canada’s advancement.
For a long time the debates had been going about how was the better prime minister of Canada. On the the top of most lists of best prime ministers are Mackenzie King and Sir John A. Macdonald. For example, according to the Expert Survey that was made in 2013 “Laurier came first, Macdonald second, and King third, but the difference in their overall scores was negligible”. Both prime ministers had a strong vision of the country that helped shaped Canada to become the country it is today(in 2015). Thesis: Sir John A.Macdonald was one of the founding fathers, but William Lyon Mackenzie King had to lead the country through the part of Depression and WWII, and they both have made different positive contributions to Canada and are highly respected