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Introduction
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linkage between institutions and public
policy
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people argue for our distinctive institutions because
they allow government to things differently
does government in Canada do things
differently?
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institutions are the process by which things are done
public policy is what is actually done
“Are We Becoming Americanized?” –
Levels of Analysis
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political system
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political behaviour
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political institutions
political behaviour
public opinion (what we would like the government to
do)
public policy (what the government actually does)
public opinion
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whether we are/ought to be like/unlike the Americans
substantive opinions about what we want our society to
look like
Section 3: Public Policy
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policy areas
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multiculturalism
post-secondary education
social assistance
employment equity/affirmative action
health care
why?
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these are some of the areas in which we are supposed to
be different
these are some of the areas in which the cry of
“Americanization” is heard most loudly
IS CANADA DIFFERENT FROM
THE US?
WHAT IS IT?
 different
meanings
ideology
 policy
 empirical fact
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is
Canada different from the
US?
...as Ideology
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the iconography of cultural ideology
– the Canadian Mosaic
– the American Melting Pot
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what are the differences?
...as Ideology
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what are the differences?
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NOT in denying diverse ethnic heritages or their value
distinct cultural heritage adheres to individuals (melting
pot) rather than communities (mosaic)
melting pot emphasizes diverse contacts among groups,
intercultural influences, and economic mobility (Reitz
and Breton)
mosaic emphasizes community but also boundaries
some argue that the melting pot is really disguised
assimilation
or, that cultural diversity cannot survive without focus on
community
...as Ideology
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evidence of support for ideology of
multiculturalism in public opinion?
– support for the ideal of tolerance
...as Public Policy
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definition
– “...set of principles, policies, and practices for
accommodating diversity as a legitimate and
integral component of society.” (Fleras, 1994)
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elements
– symbolism – officially sanctioned ideology
– programs
...as Public Policy
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differences
– United States – no official policy of
multiculturalism
– Canada – official policy of multiculturalism
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small and declining resources
...as Reality?
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Reitz and Breton, The Illusion of Difference
– differences between Canada and the United
States are primarily symbolic
– illusions of difference
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less pressure to assimilate in Canada
United States as a melting pot in reality
racism and intolerance greater in the US
...as Reality?
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ethnic community life more visible in
Canada
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mainly because there is a greater proportion of
immigrants in Canada (16%) vs. US (8%)
not necessarily because of less pressure to assimilate
...as Reality?
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Beyond the Melting Pot?
– Beyond the Melting Pot: The Negroes, Puerto
Ricans, Jews, Italians and Irish of New York City
(1963)
– “Is the United States still a melting pot, or do
immigrants today maintain their national identity
more strongly?”
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Melting Pot
maintain identity
20%
66%
Racism and Ethnic Relations in
Canada and the US
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the US has a history of serious racial
conflict to a degree which Canada does not
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contributes to belief that Americans are more likely
than Canadians to practice racial discrimination
Racism and Ethnic Relations in
Canada and the US
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need to examine comparable interracial
situations
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hostile treatment of racial minorities in both Canada
and US historically
historical incidents (e.g. treatment of Japanese
Canadians during WWII)
contemporary attitudes and treatment of racial
minorities (non-black) in both countries (e.g. antisemitism)
contemporary treatment of First Nations
...things to think about
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if Reitz and Breton are right that the
differences between Canada and the United
States are an illusion, would it change your
opinion of the arguments for and against
multiculturalism as a policy in Canada?
– would you be more likely to favour of pursuing
multiculturalism or less??