Political cleavages Political culture of Canada

1 political cleavages

1.1 economy
1.2 federal provincial relations
1.3 diversity
1.4 united states
1.5 religion

political cleavages

canadian political parties , leaders can analyzed based on various positions.

economy

in 19th century, liberal party stood british classical liberalism , free trade, , conservatives, red tories, protectionism. in 20th century, however, liberal party adopted more elements of european reform liberalism , co-opted elements of social-democratic progressive party of canada, , co-operative commonwealth federation.

in 1990s, liberals shifted more neoliberal position on economy , trade. within reform party of canada there element of anti-market populism faded reform party became more associated us-style conservatism. ndp have retained many of socialist tendencies of former ccf.

federal provincial relations

in regard federal-provincial relations can said bq separatist, conservatives decentralist, liberals centralist, , ndp supporters of asymmetric federalism.

diversity

with regards issues of diversity (bilingualism , multiculturalism), conservatives tend more majoritarian, favouring reduced scope official bilingualism , more assimilationist approach immigrants , native peoples. liberals , ndp more pluralistic including generous government support minority cultures, while bq favour viewing canada 2 separate societies (english canada , quebec), , advocate strong protections french language , culture in quebec while remaining unconcerned issues other minorities or in other parts of country.

united states

in 19th century, conservatives party of protectionism , liberals favoured free trade us.

religion

in 19th , 20th centuries, english canada remained committed british empire , protestantism. french canada more anti-imperialist , catholic. attempting form stable parties win seats in both areas daunting task , led political deadlock in province of canada before confederation.

during era of confederation, british-style whig liberals canada west, clear grits , reformers, attempted work anti-clerical minority in canada east, parti rouge, , liberals in maritimes form liberal party. avowedly anti-democratic tories of english colonies attempted create coalition conservative catholics in canada east, parti bleu.

keeping these diverse coalitions united remained difficult when interests cut across party lines, , instead inflamed sectional feeling. first such issues 2 riel rebellions of 1869 , 1885 hardened catholic–protestant animosity. tory government of sir john a. macdonald, himself orangeman, oversaw execution of metis leader louis riel (a devout catholic) treason. tory party decimated in quebec, , liberal party everywhere else.

eventually, sir wilfrid laurier able lead liberals competitive position in english canada, time of first world war, , conscription crisis of 1917, laurier again found himself in charge of liberal party limited quebec , few other pockets. in part because of memories of these eras, tory party gained reputation being anti-catholic , anti-french , remained substantially weaker liberals in quebec 1890s 1980s, lone exception of 1958. meanwhile, laurier s liberals accused of not supporting britain forcefully enough during boer war , creation of canadian navy, disparaged tin pot navy, hurt party in anglo-saxon ontario.

since time, sectarianism has faded substantially issue in canada, , relations britain no longer of same importance.