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Explore the distinctions between Canada and the US in terms of multiculturalism and public policy, analyzing ideologies, policies, and realities. Understand how historical events, societal attitudes, and governmental approaches shape the debate.
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Part 3: Public Policy PSCI 102M
Introduction • linkage between institutions and public policy • people argue for our distinctive institutions because they allow government to things differently • does government in Canada do things differently? • institutions are the process by which things are done • public policy is what is actually done
“Are We Becoming Americanized?” – Levels of Analysis • political system • political institutions • political behaviour • political behaviour • public opinion (what we would like the government to do) • public policy (what the government actually does) • public opinion • 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 • policy areas • multiculturalism • post-secondary education • social assistance • employment equity/affirmative action • health care • why? • 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
WHAT IS IT? • different meanings • ideology • policy • empirical fact • is Canada different from the US?
...as Ideology • the iconography of cultural ideology • the Canadian Mosaic • the American Melting Pot • what are the differences?
...as Ideology • what are the differences? • 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 • evidence of support for ideology of multiculturalism in public opinion? • support for the ideal of tolerance
...as Public Policy • definition • “...set of principles, policies, and practices for accommodating diversity as a legitimate and integral component of society.” (Fleras, 1994) • elements • symbolism – officially sanctioned ideology • programs
...as Public Policy • differences • United States – no official policy of multiculturalism • Canada – official policy of multiculturalism • small and declining resources
...as Reality? • Reitz and Breton, The Illusion of Difference • differences between Canada and the United States are primarily symbolic • illusions of difference • less pressure to assimilate in Canada • United States as a melting pot in reality • racism and intolerance greater in the US
...as Reality? • ethnic community life more visible in Canada • 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? • 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?” • Melting Pot 20% • maintain identity 66%
Racism and Ethnic Relations in Canada and the US • the US has a history of serious racial conflict to a degree which Canada does not • contributes to belief that Americans are more likely than Canadians to practice racial discrimination
Racism and Ethnic Relations in Canada and the US • need to examine comparable interracial situations • 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. anti-semitism) • contemporary treatment of First Nations
...things to think about? • 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??
