Political Party System in Canada - Research Paper Example

Political Science (Liberal, Conservative, New Democratic Parties - Comparison) Introduction The political party system in Canada has played a major role in the democratic process in the country and the various political parties of the nation, when viewed together, constitute a system, with each playing a distinct role. In the contemporary political scenario, the major players of the system are the Liberal Party, Conservative Party and New Democratic Party. During the period 1945 to 1984, the Liberals were the usual governing party, the Conservatives the usual opposition, and the New Democratic Party the third party, and the election results of these parties support this view. In the recent times, the New Democratic Party has grown more like the two old parties and it has now become more success-oriented and less ideologically committed. However, a reflective analysis of the constitutions of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada confirms that the party system in the nation clearly lacks a clear ideological distinction among the various parties. As H G Thorburn maintains, "the Canadian party system has lacked a clear ideological distinction between the two old parties. The traditional distinctions were: Conservatives for Britain, the monarchy, a hierarchically structured society, Protestantism, protective tariffs, and the Liberals, the observe-sympathetic to the United States, democracy, and freer trade, and open to Catholics, French Canadians, and immigrants. These crude distinctions never really fitted in a comprehensive way, but before the Second World War they used to be the generally understood distinctions that marked the old parties." (Thorburn, 210) Therefore, the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada have several ideologies in common and a comparative analysis of the constitutions of these parties confirms this fact. A comparative analysis of the constitutions of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada substantiates the view that the Canadian party system lacks a clear ideological distinction among the major parties. However, to distinguish among these political parties on the basis of their ideological components, they can be arranged on a left-right continuum - NDP on the left, the Liberals in the middle and Conservatives just to the right of Liberals. A Comparison: the Constitutions of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada Canadian political parties agree that they can be arranged on a left-right continuum, NDP on the left, the Liberals in the middle and Conservatives just to the right of Liberals. One of the basic facts about the political character of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada is that they observe their political policy closely and the origin and formation of each political party confirms the basis of their political ideologies. Thus, it becomes lucid that the New Democratic Party, commonly referred to as the NDP, is based on the leftist ideologies, as it is a social democratic political party, and its political stand confirms that it believes in the center-left ideologies. With its populist, agrarian and democratic socialist roots, the NDP has been the strong advocate of leftist ideologies. In the contemporary political context of Canada, the NDP has been particular to incorporate the ideologies of the New Left, and crucial issues such as gay rights, peace, and environmental protection are covered by its political ideologies in the contemporary scenario. The leftist leanings of the New Democratic Party become conspicuous, when the constitution of the party is carefully analyzed. According to the Preamble of its constitution, the New Democratic Party firmly holds that "the social, economic and political progress of Canada can be assured only by the application of democratic socialist principles to government and the administration of public affairs' The New Democratic Party is proud to be associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world and to share the struggle for peace, international co-operation and the abolition of poverty." (Constitution of the New Democratic Party, 1) Therefore, as the constitution of the New Democratic Party suggests, it is associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world and it firmly follows the principles of democratic socialism. Accordingly, the NDP maintains that the production and distribution of goods and services must aim at meeting the social and individual needs of people within a sustainable environment and economy rather than making profit. Another basic policy of the party is that the government, through economic and social planning, should modify and control the operations of the monopolistic productive and distributive organizations. The NDP, therefore, firmly holds that the dignity and freedom of the individual is the basic right to be maintained, and their ideological base as a political party is the leftist thinking. A reflective analysis of the constitution of the Liberal Party of Canada reveals that the Liberals take a position in the middle of left-right continuum of the arrangement among Canadian political parties. Significantly, the Liberal Party has been the most important political party in the nation all through the history, and it holds that the dignity of each individual man and woman is the cardinal principle of democratic society and the major purpose of all political organization and activity in such a society. The basic policies held firmly by the constitution of the Liberal Party point to the middle standing of the party with regard to its ideological leanings. Thus, the constitution of the Party emphasizes individual freedom, responsibility and human dignity, equality of opportunity for all persons, etc. "The Liberal Party of Canada is dedicated to the principles that have historically sustained the Party: individual freedom, responsibility and human dignity in the framework of a just society, and political freedom in the framework of meaningful participation by all persons. The Liberal Party' is committed to the pursuit of equality of opportunity for all persons, to the enhancement of our unique and diverse cultural community, to the recognition that English and French are the official languages of Canada, and to the preservation of the Canadian identity in a global society." (The Liberal Party of Canada: Constitution, 1) Thus, the constitution of the Liberal Party ensures the fundamental rights and freedoms of persons under the rule of law. As its constitution maintains, the Party is dedicated to human dignity in a democratic system, the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, and to ensure the political, economic, social, cultural and general well-being of Canadians. It basically emphasizes a flexible and democratic structure in order to realize its objectives and the constitution of the party sets forth the institutions, systems and procedures by which it attempts to implement its political ideas. "The fundamental purposes of the Party are: (a) to participate in the public affairs of Canada by endorsing members of the Party as candidates of the Party for election to the House of Commons and supporting their election; (b) to advocate and support Liberal philosophies, principles and policies'" (The Liberal Party of Canada: Constitution, 2) Therefore, the major policies and ideological principles presented through the constitution of the Party confirms that the Liberal Party is dedicated to the liberal ideology which places it in the middle position of left-right continuum of the arrangement among Canadian political parties. In comparison to the other two parties, the Conservative Party of Canada, also known as the Tories, is positioned on the extreme right of the political continuum of Canada. The party was formed in 2003 by the unification of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. A reflective analysis of the ideology, principles and policies of the Conservative Party, one recognizes that the party blends two contrasting views concerning conservatism in Canada - the traditional Red Tory ideals of the Progressive Conservatives and the Western Canadian conservatism of the Canadian Alliance party. However, the extreme right standing of the Conservative Party in the political continuum of Canada is indisputable and the constitution of the party best illustrates the rightist views of the party. It is important to comprehend that the Conservative Party generally supports the market economy approach to the economic sphere and it incorporates the principles of other conservatives including libertarian conservatives, Canadian republicans, environmental conservatives, etc. "The Conservative Party of Canada is founded on and will be guided on its policy formation on the following principles' A belief in a balance between fiscal accountability, progressive social policy and individual rights and responsibilities' A belief in loyalty to a sovereign and united Canada governed in accordance with the Constitution of Canada, the supremacy of democratic parliamentary institutions and the rule of law' A belief in the equality of all Canadians' A belief in the freedom of the individual, including freedom of speech, worship and assembly' A belief that the greatest potential for achieving social and economic objectives is under a global trading regime that is free and fair." (The Conservative Party of Canada Constitution, 1-2) Significantly, the Conservative Party, as its Constitution maintains, believes in the freedom of individual Canadians to pursue their enlightened and legitimate self-interest within a competitive economy and the freedom to enjoy the fruits of their labor to the greatest possible extent. The Constitution of the Conservative Party, which upholds the right to own property, also firmly holds that the purpose of Canada as a nation state and its government is to generate a climate wherein individual initiative is rewarded, excellence is pursued, security and privacy of the individual is provided and prosperity is guaranteed by a free competitive market economy. Therefore, a reflective analysis of the Constitution of the Conservative Party authenticates the view that the party is positioned on the extreme right of the political continuum of Canada with regard to its political ideologies. A comparative analysis of the constitutions of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada confirms that the Canadian political parties can be arranged on a left-right spectrum - the NDP on the left end, the Liberals in the middle and the Conservatives to the extreme right. The political ideologies that each political party holds should be realized on the basis of the origins of each political party and its formation. Significantly, there is 'inside' explanation as well as 'outside' explanation for the origins and development of every political party. When a party originates in legislative bodies, beginning as factional groupings loosely organized around charismatic individuals, the particular political party is said to have an 'inside' origin and development. The political system of such a party develops when factional lines begin to harden, internal organizations develop, and cohesive group actions increase due to various major issues, whose resolution extends over long period of time. Such political parties gradually expand and develop the ties with the democratization of the electorate into ongoing electoral organizations. In contrast, the 'outside' parties begin not as factional groupings within legislatures, but as mass social movements responding to social and economic dislocations. When some of these mass social movements solidify, develop organizational structures, and institutionalize procedures, the political parties based on 'outside' origin develop. "The inside and outside explanations account for the origins and development of Canada's national political parties. The two 'major' national parties, the Liberal and Progressive Conservative (formerly the Conservative), are inside parties. Their beginnings are rooted in early nineteenth century legislative struggles to achieve responsible government in the then British colonies. Most other parties, such as the New Democratic Party (formerly the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation)' are outside parties." (Ameringer, 134) Therefore, inside and outside explanations of the origins and development of Canada's national political parties suggest the basis of the political ideologies of each political party in Canada. The constitution of every political party in Canada basically deals with the policies of the party and a reflective analysis of these constitutions indicates how the Canadian party system lacks a clear ideological distinction among the major parties. Thus, the basic policies in the constitutions of various political parties in Canada have several common elements and the ideological basis of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada confirms this point. Significantly, the Liberals and the Conservatives were the major players of politics in Canada and their ideological leanings are toward the rightist view and free economy. The role of third party, the NDP, was greatly limited. Thus, the political system of the nation is marked by the lack of a clear ideological distinction among the political parties. "The Liberals and Conservatives (at least until 1993) between them constituted the power component of the political system. However, the function of offering alternative ideas and new solutions for national problems has been fulfilled largely by the third parties, especially the NDP. Third parties also help legitimate dissent' In a related fashion, third parties provide the means of representing minority positions, whether they be ideological, ethno-cultural, religious class, or other' However, in recent years, the NDP has grown more like the old two parties' Therefore, it has become more of a party and less of a movement, more success-oriented and less ideologically committed." (Thorburn, 209) In short, in spite of the basic distinctions among the Canadian political parties, which can be arranged on a left-right continuum, a careful analysis of the constitutions of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada confirms that the Canadian party system lacks a clear ideological distinction among the major parties. Conclusion To conclude, in a profound analysis to compare and contrast the constitutions of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Canada, one recognizes that, on the basis of their ideological components, these political parties can be arranged on a left-right continuum - NDP on the left, the Liberals in the middle and Conservatives just to the right of Liberals. However, it is also important to recognize that the Canadian party system lacks a clear ideological distinction among the major parties which is suggested by the contemporary tendencies in the development of these parties. The New Democratic Party of Canada has historically held the leftist ideologies, as it is a social democratic political party, and the political stand of this party indicates that it believes in the center-left ideologies. However, there is a pertinent shift in the focus and development of the NDP has grown more like the old two parties in recent years. In other words, the NDP, in contemporary period, is more success-oriented and less ideologically committed and the ideological distinction among these parties is proved to be deficient. Similarly, the Liberal Party which stands in the middle of the left-right continuum and the Conservative Party, standing at the extreme right, share several ideologies in common. Works Cited Ameringer, Charles D. Political parties of the Americas, 1980s to 1990s: Canada, Latin America, and the West Indies. Greenwood Publishing Group. 1992. P 134. "Constitution of the New Democratic Party." New Democratic Party. 2001. P 1. Nov 03. 2009. . "The Conservative Party of Canada Constitution." The Conservative Party. 2005. P 1-2. Nov 03. 2009. . "The Liberal Party of Canada: Constitution." 2006. P 1. Nov 03. 2009. . Thorburn, H G. "Prime Minister, Party, and Policy." Canada's century: governance in a maturing society : essays in honor of John Meisel. C. E. S. Franks and John Meisel. (Ed). McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. 1995. P 210. Read More