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Canada is not democratic socialist.
by antidesitter 8y ago
Canada is not democratic socialist.
- arcticbull 8y agoDon't just say no, cite some sources and have a conversation. Two of our four major parties (the NDP and the Parti Québécois) officially adheres to a Democratic Socialist policy [1]. Sure they've not had a turn at governing though they've been the official opposition, and the NDP is currently in charge of the Alberta government. They're not some fringe party. Their platform overlaps heavily with the ruling Federal Liberals - and they're both considered "centre-left" parties. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democratic_Party https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democratic_Party
- antidesitter 8y agoThe NDP constitution refers to democratic socialism only in the following sentence: New Democrats seek a future that brings together the best of the insights and objectives of Canadians who, within the social democratic and democratic socialist traditions, have worked through farmer, labour.... This doesn't mean they adhere to democratic socialism. In fact, only a minority faction of the NDP is committed to democratic socialism, namely the NDP Socialist Caucus. I couldn't find a source for PQ adhering to democratic socialism, but would welcome any references. The Liberal Party and its provincial counterparts are definitely not democratic socialist. Second, even if the NDP and PQ adhered to democratic socialism, that would not mean Canada is democratic socialist. The fact that the Conservative Party adheres to conservatism, for example, does not mean Canada is conservative. Third, Canada is not democratic socialist because democratic socialism is incompatible with capitalism. Democratic socialists are committed to the systemic transformation of the economy from capitalism to socialism, including the elimination of private property. There is simply no realistic chance of Canada transitioning to a socialist economy and eliminating private property in the foreseeable future. This doesn't mean it couldn't happen eventually, just that it is not feasible under Canada's current political climate, government institutions, and legal framework. PS: Did you mean to refer to Bloc Québécois (the federal party) rather than Parti Québécois (the provincial party)?