POLS 2300 MIDTRM-2

Week 1: Canadian Politics (POLS 2300) Midterm Notes

1. Introduction to Politics

• Definition of Politics:

  • Politics involves influencing collective decisions, often through conflict over public policies.

  • It’s about how decisions are made and executed in the public sphere.

• Public vs. Private Issues:

  • Public Issues: Require government action (e.g., healthcare, education).

  • Private Issues: Do not require government intervention; handled by the private or voluntary sector (civil society).

• Public Policy:

  • Solutions to public issues are created by elected governments and implemented by public institutions.

2. Democracy

• Key Characteristics of Democracy:

  • Popular sovereignty (power lies with the people).

  • Political equality (equal voice for all citizens).

  • Political freedom (freedom of speech, assembly, etc.).

  • Majority rule (decisions are made by the majority, but minority rights are protected).

3. Empirical vs. Normative Beliefs

• Empirical Beliefs: Based on observations and evidence (how things are).

  • Knowledge is tentative and subject to revision.

• Normative Beliefs: Based on values and ideals (how things ought to be).

  • These beliefs guide what we think should happen in society.

4. Linking Concepts to Real-World Issues: Indian Residential Schools

• Empirical Beliefs During the Indian Residential School Era:

  • Many beliefs about Indigenous peoples were not substantiated by evidence.

  • Examples of false beliefs:

    • Indigenous peoples were intellectually inferior.

    • Indigenous peoples were uncivilized and needed spiritual guidance.

    • Indigenous children needed to be removed from their environments to be "civilized."

• Normative Beliefs During the Indian Residential School Era:

  • Beliefs about how Indigenous peoples should be treated:

    • They should be assimilated into European/Western culture.

    • They should adopt Christianity/Catholicism.

    • The goal was to "civilize the pagan" and "assimilate the Indian."

5. Case Study: Queen Victoria Statue

• Empirical Beliefs:

  • Differing views on Queen Victoria’s legacy:

    • Some see her as an amazing leader, while others view her as a negative figure.

    • The destruction of her statue is seen either as vandalism or as a correction of history.

• Normative Beliefs:

  • Should Queen Victoria be revered or critiqued?

  • Should the statue be restored, or should its destruction be celebrated as a step toward correcting historical injustices?

6. Impact on Indigenous Identities

• Indian Act:

  • The Indian Act has significantly affected Indigenous identities, leading to loss of identity, shame, and intergenerational trauma.

  • Indigenous peoples face challenges in reclaiming their identities, which places new demands on Canadian political institutions.

• Government Response:

  • How should governments respond to these demands?

    • The response could either help restore Indigenous identities or further harm them.

What is Politics & Why Does it Matter?

• Politics involves decision-making processes and power distribution.

• Impacts governance, institutions, and societal well-being.

• Indigenous identities are influenced by Canadian political institutions (e.g., the Indian Act).

  • Issues: Loss of identity, shame, intergenerational trauma.

  • Question: How should governments respond to these issues?

Week 2: Indigenous Peoples & Canadian Politics (POLS 2300)

• Sovereignty Context:

  • Canada did not gain full sovereignty in 1867; Britain still controlled the appointment of the Governor General and power to disallow Canadian legislation.

  • World War I significantly contributed to Canadian independence.

Indigenous Identity & Institutional Context

• Medicine Wheels: Represent the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual realities.

• Indigenous peoples have lived in Canada for 20,000 years.

• The institutional context has historically tried to eradicate or alter Indigenous identities through policies.

Fiduciary Responsibility

• The government's legal duty to act in Indigenous peoples’ best interests.

Defining Identity & The Indian Act

• The Indian Act has been a major tool of oppression:

  • Created racist stereotypes.

  • Broke up families and ties to culture/language.

  • Undermined Indigenous leadership and belief systems.

  • Positioned Indigenous peoples as "wards of the state."

• Contemporary Indigenous Identity:

  • Indigenous peoples are reclaiming identity on their own terms.

  • The Stó:lō are an example of self-definition and resistance.

Videos & Reflection Questions

• "The Indian Act Sucks":

  • Examines how the Indian Act has negatively impacted Indigenous peoples.

  • Highlights how Indigenous groups, like the Cowichan Tribes Band Council, are working towards self-determination.

• "Tell the Truth, Be the Change":

  • Discusses Orange Shirt Day and the impact of residential schools.

  • Focuses on the intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous communities.

  • Encourages truth-telling and reconciliation.

Indigenous Land Claims & Self-Government

• Indigenous Title: The right to land based on traditional use and occupancy, independent of treaties.

• Comprehensive vs. Specific Claims:

  • Comprehensive Claims: Based on Indigenous title (when no treaty exists).

  • Specific Claims: Address past treaty violations or unfulfilled obligations.

Key Legal Developments

• 1998 Delgamuukw v. British Columbia:

  • Supreme Court recognizes Aboriginal title as a right to land.

  • Governments can infringe on Aboriginal title only under strict conditions with fair compensation.

Modern Land Claims & Treaty Process

• British Columbia Treaty Process:

  • Created in 1993; only 20% of First Nations involved are making progress.

  • Treaties address government structures, land jurisdiction, financial arrangements, and cash settlements.

• Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group:

  • Represents 6,500 members from multiple First Nations.

Week 3: POLS 2300 Notes

Forest Consultation & Revenue Sharing Agreements

• Agreements between Indigenous communities and governments regarding resource sharing.

Reconciliation & Redefining Relationships

• Hul’q’umi’num Signage Project:

  • Demonstrates efforts to reclaim Indigenous languages and cultural identity.

  • Highlights different forms of reconciliation and identity restoration.

Canadian Political Culture (Ch. 10)

1. Definition of Political Culture:

• The sum of all politically relevant values, beliefs, attitudes, identities, and orientations in a society.

• Influenced by historical and modern events.

• Can be studied through surveys or observation.

2. Political Subculture:

• Groups of people who share political values based on regional, ethnic, class, or other characteristics.

• In Canada, this includes Indigenous communities, Quebec nationalism, and other regional identities.

3. Canadian Political Culture as a European Concept:

• Rooted in liberal democracy, which originated in Europe in the 1700s.

• Canada became more democratic over time, starting from the 1800s.

• Indigenous political culture is distinct from Canadian political culture, representing 20,000 years of habitation versus 420 years of European settlement.

Key Elements of Canadian Political Culture

• Popular Sovereignty: Power resides with the people.

• Political Equality: Equal rights and participation.

• Freedom: Individual and collective liberties.

• Majority Rule/Minority Rights: Balancing majority decisions with protection of minority rights.

Comparison with U.S. Political Culture

• Balance between Individualism and Collectivism: Canadians lean more toward collectivism compared to the U.S.

• Particularism, Diversity, and Tolerance: Canada is more diverse and tolerant.

• Deference to Authority: Canadians are more respectful of authority.

• Egalitarianism: Strong emphasis on equality.

• Caution and Nonviolence: Canadians are seen as more cautious and less aggressive.

Postmaterialism in Canada

• No: Rising costs of living (housing, inflation) suggest material concerns remain.

• Yes: Growing focus on gender equality, environmentalism, and social justice movements (e.g., Black Lives Matter, Me Too).

Quebec Nationalism (Ch. 5)

1. Different Interpretations of Quebec’s Place in Canada:

• Two Founding Peoples: French and English.

• Confederation: Agreement between four colonies, excluding Indigenous peoples.

• First Nations: Recognized as the original inhabitants.

2. Quebec Nationalism Pre-1960s:

• Culture of Survival: French Canadians maintained their culture despite British rule.

• Attempted Assimilation: After 1759 defeat, France abandoned Quebec, but the clergy and seigneurs stayed.

• Rural and Catholic: Agrarian society heavily influenced by the Catholic Church.

• Royal Proclamation 1763 & Quebec Act 1774: Allowed French civil law and language to persist.

• 1841 Act of Union: Power to the English minority, leading to economic dominance.

• Maurice Duplessis: Leader promoting a defensive, inward-looking Quebec.

3. Quebec Nationalism Post-1960s (Quiet Revolution):

• Jean Lesage: Liberal Premier who modernized Quebec.

• "Maitres Chez Nous": Quebec sought control over its economy.

• State Modernization: Hydro-Quebec and state industries established.

• Economic Emancipation: Sought independence from the English business class.

• Decline of the Catholic Church: Secularization of society.

• Education: State-run education to protect French language.

4. Two Models for Recognizing French Canada:

• Personality Principle: Quebec treated like any other province; promotes bilingualism.

• Territory Principle: Recognizes Quebec as the homeland of French Canada.

5. Reality of French in Canada Today:

• Outside Quebec, French speakers are declining.

• Bilingualism viewed positively, but importance wanes outside Quebec.

6. Key Questions:

• Should leaders in Quebec (e.g., CEO of Air Canada) know French?

• Why did Stephen Harper recognize Quebecois as a nation in 2012?

Key Themes Across Both Files

1. Canadian Political Culture:

• Rooted in European liberal democracy but distinct from Indigenous political culture.

• Emphasizes balance between individualism and collectivism, tolerance, and deference to authority.

2. Quebec Nationalism:

• A central issue in Canadian politics with historical roots in the French-English divide.

• The Quiet Revolution marked a pivotal change.

• Competing models (Personality vs. Territory Principle) shape Quebec's understanding.

3. Language and Identity:

• French language and culture are central to Quebec’s identity, with bilingualism as a key issue.

4. Postmaterialism:

• While material concerns persist, Canada is seeing a rise in postmaterialist values.

Week 4: Regional and Economic Identities

Key Focus of the Week:

• Uneven Distribution of Personal Wealth: Examining which identity groups are overrepresented among the poor in Canada.

• Class Consciousness: Why Canadians lack individual class consciousness compared to other countries.

• Regional Identities: The role of economic regionalism in shaping Canadian identities.

Socioeconomic Classes in Canada

1. Objective Measures of Class:

• Income: Key measure of class, wealth is unevenly distributed.

• Occupation: Differentiates class based on types of work.

2. Class Categories:

• Poor: Unemployed or in very low-income jobs.

• Working Class (Proletariat): Engaged in manual or repetitive work.

• New Middle Class (Petite Bourgeoisie): Salaried professionals.

• Upper Class (Bourgeoisie): Owners/managers of large companies.

Uneven Distribution of Wealth

1. Identity Groups Overrepresented Among the Poor:

• Racial and gender demographics contribute to poverty rates.

• Systemic inequality plays a role in wealth distribution.

2. Rational Choice Theory:

• Explanation for wealth inequality based on self-interest.

• Politicians often distract the public from wealth inequality.

Class Consciousness in Canada

1. Subjective Class:

• Canadians generally feel more ambiguous about class belonging.

• Low class consciousness compared to other countries.

2. Lack of Class Consciousness:

• Canada's historical political economy contributes to low awareness of wealth inequality.

• Canadians are more aware of regional economics than individual wealth issues.

Regional Identities

1. Provincial Identities:

• Canadians have a strong identification with their provinces, often linked to local economies.

2. Economic Regionalism:

• Canadians focus on regional economic differences, potentially overshadowing class issues.

Key Questions and Reflections

1. Why is Class Consciousness Low in Canada?

• Lack of focus on individual wealth disparities due to historical patterns and regional identities.

2. Role of Identity in Wealth Distribution:

• Investigate how demographics influence poverty and wealth.

3. Political Economy:

• How does historical reliance on resources shape contemporary structures?

Summary

• Wealth Inequality: Canada exhibits an uneven wealth distribution, with racial minorities and women often overrepresented among the poor.

• Class Consciousness: Canadians lack strong class awareness, influenced by history and regional identities.

• Regional Economic Identities: There is a greater awareness of economic differences among regions than of individual wealth disparities.