Ideologies and Canadian Political Parties Development of Ideologies

Ideologies and Canadian Political Parties

Development of Ideologies �During and after the Industrial Revolution people began to understand the concepts of rule of law and government organization. �They were no longer willing to accept government based on tradition and custom. �From these questions a series of ideologies developed.

Ideologies �Ideologies are a set of ideas proposed by the dominant class of a society to all members of this society. �Some of these Ideologies or “isms” are: �Capitalism �Liberalism �Socialism �Conservatism �Communism �Fascism

Capitalism: �Is a promotion of an economic system based on very limited government involvement. �Supports complete free trade. �ldeas of "laissez-faire" government- let people do as they please and an “invisible hand” where the gov’t will only regulate society when necessary. �Encourages entrepreneurs.

Democracy: Ruled by the People

Liberalism: (Also known as reformers) �Supports capitalist free enterprise system, but seeks government action to protect society from the abuses of the system. �Also supports the idea of extending political power to more citizens. �Values Individualism

Socialism: �A strong reaction against the abuses and inhumanity of the capitalist system and the Industrial Revolution. �Wishes to reform the “system” to create a ‘utopian’ state, based on co-operative ownership in the 1930 s

Conservatism �Concerned with the preservation of the "status quo“ (keeping things the same). �Support the policy of mercantilism and want to see political power remain in the control of the middle class.

Totalitarianism: Total Control

Communism (Marxism) �Rejects the Capitalist system. �Promotes a worker (proletariat) revolution to overthrow the ruling elite (bourgeois) �The means of production to be seized and communes to be established basically a classless society �People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam are all communist countries today

Fascism �Based on the importance of the state and the responsibility of people to serve it �Believes a country requires strong leadership, a collective identity, and military strength �Emphasizes nationalism and militarism �Political opposition or individual freedom is forbidden �Born after the First World War WWI, a period of time particularly unstable; originated in Italy under Mussolini and Germany – Hitler

Canadian Politics and Ideology

The Liberal Party of Canada �Founded: 1861 �First PM: Alexander Mackenzie (1873) �Nickname: The Grits / Parti Rouge �Current Leader: Justin Trudeau – Prime Minister Majority Government �Ideology: Center/Left-wing Liberalism

The Conservative Party of Canada �First Leader: Sir John A. Mc. Donald (1867) �Nickname: The Tories/Parti Bleu �Current Leader: Andrew Scheer – Official Opposition �Ideology: Right-wing – Conservatism/Economic Liberalism

The New Democratic Party of Canada �Founded: 1961 �Current Leader: Jagmeet Singh holds the third largest party �Ideology: Social Democracy

The Bloc Quebecois �Founded: 1991 �Current Leader; Gilles Duceppe won 10 seats �Ideology: Quebec nationalism, Quebec sovereignty, and Social Democracy

Green Party �Founded: 1983 �Current Leader: Elizabeth May – won 1 seat �Ideology: Green politics, Environmentalism