I'm just curious about this. I really don't know a lot about the Canadian economy or government.

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I think that most canadians don't consider themselves anything political particularly...

Obviously I'm not Canadian, but I know some, and I would say they definately would consider themselves Social Democrats rather than Socialist. Consider that there is no Socialist party in Canada, the main parties are the Liberals and Conservatives, then you've got Greens, another party I can't remember, and the Block Quebecois. Contrast this with Britain, where the ruling party claims to be "a democratic Socialist party".

I'll see if I can get some Canadians to come and talk about this...

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... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
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Brother Oz here I am to help you out.... being canadian and all

well as far as the political parties there are 3 bigger ones and common ones.

Conservatives (currently in power)
Liberals (just lost power, there are many liberal provincial governments)
New Democrat Party (NDP)


Politics in Canada isn't like it is in the US. Most Canadians are not loyal to a particular political party, they are loyal to themselves and what they can 'gain' from the government in power.

What is the difference of "socialist" and "socialdemcratic" in your eyes, WEB?

I mean in Austria we had the the "Socialist Party of Austria", one or two decades ago it renamed itself into "Socialdemocratic Party of Austira". This name change was not connected to a large shisma or change though.

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Thanks Tara.

There are nevertheless large differences between Social Democrats and Socialist parties. Most of the Socialist parties have been gradually transforming into Social Democrats. Obviously at some point they'll recognise this officially (the Labour party still hasn't, and they're far less Socialist than most offically Social Democrat parties) but the recognition doesn't cause it, it just, well, recognises it.

A social democrat party is one where they want a strong welfare state, and regulation of the economy.
Socialists on the other hand don't just want to regulate the economy, but control parts of it, through nationalised industries.

__________________
... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
I have the honour to be... your obliged humble servant, Anthony Henley
- MPs reply to constituent, mid 1700s

I see, thanks Oz.

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Welcome aboard, Targo. So which one do you favor? The liberals?

Perhaps you are not as polarized as we are. I think the US might have more differences. Contrast the urban black person with the rural white person. The urban black person would probably be in favor of all sorts of government intervention in the economy and be very socially liberal. There's a lot of children born out of wedlock in the inner city, so they would be in favor of abortion.

I suspect that in the South, the attitudes the complete opposite. While I have not lived in the South, I think that Southern conservatives have aligned themselves in opposition to programs that would benefit African-Americans. These programs might be of some inconvenience to them.

The policies of urban liberals (lots of taxes to pay for schools, infrastructure and other governments services, as well as being pro-choice, and pro-gun control, as well as a more internationalist outlook) put them at stark odds with the Southern conservative who is in favor of small government, pro-Christian values, anti-abortion and pro-gun rights.

So we could just be a lot more different than Canadians are from each other, not necessarily more partisan.

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I asked Malvolio if Europeans considered themselves socialist. He replied that they considered themselves "social democrats." I assume this is because communism has given socialism a bad name, and has come to be associated with Stalinist and Maoist totalitarianism.

I think socialist and social democrat are largely the same, but I am no expert on Europe or Canada.

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Targo,

So, would it be fair to say that there are not a lot of differences between liberals and conservatives in Canada? How intense are the differences? In the US, I think that some people feel very intensely about our political differences. I used to be very adamantly Democratic, favoring a strong wealth re-distribution program. I'm a bit more cautious about that now though.

I think a lot of Southerners feel very passionately about Christian values (i.e. anti-abortion, and keeping religion and religious policy in the state. I think that a lot of Republicans are really intense and annoyed with how high taxes are. The latest big Republican issue is that they are very up in arms against illegal immigration.

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I wouldn't say that the Liberals and the Conservatives are a like at all. I would make them more like Democrats and Republicans.

The Liberals appear to 'appeal' to the majority desires of Canadians they will do whatever it takes for a vote. So before 9/11 immagrants into Canada was rampent and the Liberals used that to their advantage to gain votes, appealing to those cultures and their desires to get their families over. Also they legislated for same sex marriage and same sex rights. They are big on being realistic about things.


The Conservatives on the other hand are wanting to bring Canada back to it's roots if you will. Back to when Canada wa founded on God and Religious foundations. They are newly in power and I am not really sure what is happening with them.

The NDP are give give give.... They gave the people whatever they wanted and are very much into social services and providing more than needed. This caused a great deal of trouble for canada. When the Liberals game into power they were SHOCKED and did a huge hack and slash campaign. That was particularily felt here in BC as opposed to many other places as it was felt on a Provincial level.


Right now Provincial Government varies province to province and the Federal Government is Conservative.



I'd say that's where Canada is heading. Or at least where the Conservatives would like it to go. I know the Conservatives hate that same sex marriages were legistlated and that the Supreme Court just voted in favour of giving Canadian Same Sex couples the same rights as those of Heterosexual Couples in event of death. These rights have been back dated to 1984, yet there is a glitch with only 50% being given for some reason or other.

I personally am not for all of this.