Is the Canadian Model Is the Canadian Model of Democracy Different?of Democracy Different?

Democracy -- The ModelsDemocracy -- The ModelsIndividual Rights/Limited Gov’t

General Welfare

High Mass Participation

Low Mass Participation

Radical Democracy

Elite Democracy

Liberal Democracy I

Liberal Democracy II

Democracy:Democracy:Where’s the American Political System?Where’s the American Political System?

Limited Gov’t

General Welfare

High Mass Participation

Low Mass Participation

Participatory Participatory DemocracyDemocracy

Elite Elite DemocracyDemocracy

Liberal Liberal Democracy Democracy

Liberal Liberal Democracy IIDemocracy II

United United StatesStates

Democracy:Democracy:Where’s the Canadian Political System?Where’s the Canadian Political System?

Individual Rights/Limited Gov’t

General Welfare

High Mass Participation

Low Mass Participation

Participatory Participatory DemocracyDemocracy

Elite Elite DemocracyDemocracy

Liberal Liberal Democracy I Democracy I

Canada

Canada

Liberal Liberal Democracy II Democracy II

Democracy:Democracy:Where’s the Canadian Political System Where’s the Canadian Political System

GoingGoing??

Individual Rights/Limited Gov’t

General Welfare

High Mass Participation

Low Mass Participation

Participatory Participatory DemocracyDemocracy

Elite Elite DemocracyDemocracy

Liberal Liberal Democracy I Democracy I

CanadaCanada

Liberal Liberal Democracy IIDemocracy II

Main Points!!Main Points!!

multiple models of democracy– completely normative

there is no “right” model -- there is no “true” democracy

democratic model generally accepted in Canada appears to be shifting

has shifted towards a greater emphasis on individual rights (less emphasis on general welfare)

– the distance of this shift is a matter of interpretation may be shifting towards higher levels of mass participation –

but this hasn’t happened yet