Critical Response: Canadian Federalism, Myth or Reality

Critical Response: Canadian Federalism, Myth or Reality

Richard Simeon and edited by Peter Meekison. The University of Toronto

Arsen Haghighat jou

101288427

PSCI 2002: Canadian Politics and Civil Society

Asif Hameed

October 6th, 2023

Critical Response: Canadian Federalism, Myth or Reality

In Simeon Richard's thought-provoking work, "Canadian Federalism: Myth or Reality," he delves deeply into the complex subject of regionalism within Canada, shedding light on its multifaceted implications. Richard contends that regionalism in Canada is a “result of the operation of three major institutional characteristics of Canadian Government: the federal system, the electoral system and British-style cabinet government.”(Simeon, 1977, pg. 292) He proposes that the diversity of Canada's provinces extends beyond mere variations in social and economic structures, transcending into the realm of cultural ideas and affinities. An illustrative example is the phenomenon of Western Alienation, which underscores how cultural nuances and similarities can influence regional dynamics.

Richard further elucidates how this regionalism can be exacerbated by what Schattscheider described as a bias in favour of exploitation: “All forms of political organization have a bias in favour of the exploitation of some kinds of conflict and the suppression of others .... Some issues are organized into politics while others are organized out.”(Simeon, 1977, pg 294). He posits that this bias often compels provincial leaders to deflect blame for their missteps onto an external scapegoat, perpetuating the cycle of regional tension. Drawing from the theories of Alan Cairns, Richard contends that political parties in Canada often align themselves with regional interests, mirroring Cairns' perspective on the matter.

In essence, Richard aligns with the viewpoints of scholars like Cairns and Lipset, asserting that federalistic policies within Canada prioritize provincial concerns over national interests. His perspective highlights the intricate interplay between federalism, regionalism, and cultural diversity in shaping Canada's political landscape.

The central aim of Simeon Richard's insightful work, which I purposefully overlooked earlier (Papillon, 2008, pg 123), can be encapsulated by a quote from Martin Papillon:

“In a 1989 article written in honour of the late Donald Smiley, Richard Simeon lamented the limited impact of Canadian scholarship on the broader comparative literature on federalism. He suggested that this limited impact was partly due to the tendency of Canadian scholars to be “too closely tied up in current events” unfolding in the country and thus less likely to attempt theoretical generalizations or engage with the comparative literature.”

Martin Papillon acknowledges the exceptional knowledge and understanding of Canadian scholars, including luminaries like Simeon Richard, in examining and explaining the complex issues of federalism, particularly within the Canadian context. Simeon Richard adopts a distinctive method in his exploration of regionalism in Canada. Simeon Richard employs a consistently structured approach in examining regionalism in Canada, where significant points are systematically subdivided into three subpoints, creating a hierarchical framework that enhances the clarity and depth of his analysis. This approach resembles crafting a detailed mosaic, with each significant point as the foundation for delicately layered subpoints, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the subject.