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Ideology and Institutions in North America

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 November 2009

Robert Finbow
Affiliation:
Dalhousie University

Abstract

The orthodox view that Canada's ideological tradition is more supportive of an active state cannot explain earlier innovations in social and labour policy in the United States. A neo-pluralist and neo-institutionalist synthesis is used to contrast these nations. Organic ideologies of labour, agrarian, business and professional groups reveal no consistent national differences in support for state action. Initial state interventions were similar and limited. But institutional development occurred in different contexts, producing more effective executive leadership in Canada. American policy was constrained by the Congress, with its opportunities for blocking, and by inadequate executive power. Frustration with inaction plus greater social well-being reduced demands in the US for state action. Canada's institutions allowed more creative policy and fostered greater support for state action, especially where the weak economy exacted costs on social groups. But constitutional change could replicate American gridlock, and reduce the capacity for new state action.

Résumé

La conception orthodoxe, selon laquelle la tradition idéologique canadienne penche davantage du côté de l'activisme étatique, ne peut rendre compte de l'action innovatrice des États-Unis par le biais d'une synthèse néo-pluraliste et néo-institutionnaliste. L'analayse des idéologies organiques des regroupements patronaux, syndicaux, paysans et professionnels ne permet pas de découvrir des variantes nationales significatives dans l'appui à l'action étatique. À l'origine, les interventions étatiques furent semblables et limitées, dans les deux pays. Sauf que le développement institutionnel s'y produisit dans des contextes différente, débouchant sur un leadership exécutif plus efficace au Canada. La politique américaine fut freinée par un Congrès jouissant de beaucoup de moyens pour faire contrepoids à un pouvoir inadéquat. Aux Etats-Unis, la taille de la demande d'État fut réduite à la fois par un bien-être social supérieur et par les frustrations provoquées par l'inaction. Les institutions canadiennes permirent davantage de créativité dans les politiques et nourrirent l'appui donné à l'intervention de l'État, surtout là où des groupes sociaux subissaient les contrecoups d'une économie plus faible. L'evolution constitutionnelle récente pourrait rapprocher le Canada du blocage américain, réduisant d'autant l'espace pour de nouvelles actions étatiques.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Political Science Association (l'Association canadienne de science politique) and/et la Société québécoise de science politique 1993

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