Secession or Reform? The Case of Canada

In: Telos, Heft 106, S. 15-63

Abstract

The Quebec secessionist movement threatening the democratic disintegration of Canada is discussed. It is suggested that Canada offers a perplexing case study of modernist liberal democracy; although Canada is regarded as highly affluent & peaceful, problems of fiscal bankruptcy & the secessionist movement have jeopardized the stability of the nation. Paradoxically, Canada's success in implementing its liberal democratic program -- which established an efficient welfare state, improved international relations, & resulted in national autonomy -- is cited as the reason for its impending national demise. It is argued that the Quebec separatist movement has resulted from its sociocultural alienation, substantiated by the democratization of Canada; Canada should either dissolve the unification of the Canadian provinces or decentralize sociocultural elements to maintain peace. It is concluded that the Reform Party's platform of regionalism must focus on the reconfiguration of Canada, producing a decentralized confederal organization maintaining cultural individuality & local governmental autonomy. J. W. Parker