Suchergebnisse

This book looks at two important aspects in Canadian society: its class structure and the composition of its elites or power holding groups. A recurring theme in the analysis of both class and elite groups is that Canada has found itself in the middle of the twentieth century with inadequate institutional arrangements for the industrial society it has become. Its educational systems have failed to provide the necessary skills which in large measure have been recruited through immigration. Its elites have been drawn largely from middle and upper class "British charter groups." The author further submits that the strong emphasis in the Canadian value system on regionalism and ethnic differentiation has resulted in the fragmentation of the society, particularly at the political level, and lef tit incapable of dealing with some of its major problems as an industrial society. Although this is a sociological study in which evidence in related to social theory, the author has tried to avoid technical terms, and this, together with the particular relevance at the present time of a discussion of the nature of Canadian society, will make this book interesting tolaymen as well as specialists.

Les propositions pour un bilinguisme planifie et les politiques mises de 1'avant pour le realiser sont audacieuses dans leur conception. A travers la structure linguistique, on vise a realiser une veritable revolution sociale.On retrouve dans les deux rapports de la Commission deux themes fonda‐mentaux: (1) le Canada est constitue de deux cultures et societes distinctes, Tune francaise et l'autre anglaise, et (2) puisque la societe et la culture francaises sont menacees dans leur existence, elles doivent etre protegees. Toutefois, on ne considere pas comme un probleme serieux l'americanisation de la culture et de la societe canadiennes anglaises.La Commission d'enquete a rendu un fier service en rejetant l'idee que le dualisme canadien etait compose d'une alliance unique de la societe francaise et anglaise. En detruisant ce mythe, elle a suscite un separatisme intellectuel et social qui remet en question 1'unite canadienne.La validite et 1'utilite des propositions de la Commission sont liees a la possibilite de trouver des definitions unanimes des concepts de culture et de societe. Cependant, les commissaires ne reussissent ni a donner une definition claire de la notion de culture ni a presenter le Canada comme societe globale qui aurait une structure et une coherence propres.

Canadian character is difficult to analyze. There are two main cultural groups, French and English, who could well be considered as two separate "nations." As other Euro pean ethnic groups have come into Canada, they have been en couraged to retain their sense of identity with their country of origin. This strong emphasis on ethnic pluralism has reduced the urge to build a new Canadian nation. Canada's unstable population growth and high rates of emigration also create difficulties. The slow development of the social sciences has entailed a paucity of data from which to draw a profile of Ca nadian character or values. Canadians are heavy consumers of United States culture. Moreover, the small output of in digenous symbolic and expressive material does not circulate widely, nor does it have significance for very large numbers. Despite the inadequacy of the data, there is considerable agree ment among those who have written about it that Canadians are more conservative and authoritarian and less egalitarian in values than are the people of the United States. Conservatism and lack of commitment is traced briefly in the Canadian po litical system. Finally, it is suggested that the French and English in their conservatism have more in common than is generally thought.

Canadian character is difficult to analyze. There are 2 main cultural groups, French & English, who could well be considered as 2 separate 'nations.' As other European ethnic groups have come into Canada, they have been encouraged to retain their sense of identity with their country of origin. This strong emphasis on ethnic pluralism has reduced the urge to build a new Canadian nation. Canada's unstable pop growth & high rates of emigration also create difficulties. The slow development of the soc sci's has entailed a paucity of data from which to draw a profile of Canadian character or values. Canadians are heavy consumers of US culture. Moreover, the small output of indigeneous symbolic & expressive material does not circulate widely, nor does it have signif for very large numbers. Despite the inadequacy of the data, there is considerable agreement among those who have written about it that Canadians are more conservative & authoritarian & less egalitarian in values than are the people of the US. Conservatism & lack of commitment is traced briefly in the Canadian pol'al system. Finally, it is suggested that the French & English in their conservatism have more in common than is generally thought. HA.