POL 3109 Study Guide - Winter 2018, Comprehensive Midterm Notes - Democracy, Nationalism, Referendum
12 Oct 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
POL 3109
MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Fall 2018
How is there this paradox?
Flanders confronts us with the paradox of a region where pro-independence parties
represent almost half of the electorate, while the desire for independence remains
low and pro-independence mobilizations and social movements are absent.
Firstly, the electoral successes of pro-independence have nothing to do with the
support for independence. Nor has there been a significant increase in support for
the independence of Flanders. This is probably because of the recent institutional
reform.
There is support for institutional status quo, in 2014 majority of Flemings supported
were satisfied with the existing institution or favored the return of a stronger
federal state. In terms of national identity, a large majority of Flemings continue to
identify themselves also with Belgium; only a small minority identified themselves
exclusively with Flanders.
Secondly, the rise of the N-VA has occurred in a context of a long-term decline of
nationalist mobilizations. Asides from the electoral results, such mobilizations
remain as minimal as before. Pro-independence dedication of civil society and the
intelligent characteristic of other European cases are altogether absent in Flanders.
The decline of nationalist mobilizations in Flanders is itself a consequence of the
understanding of the demands of the Flemish movement, the approval of language
laws, establishment of a language border and the transformation of the unitary
Belgian state into a federal system.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Monday, October 30th, 2017
Nationalism in Quebec
French – Canadian Nationalism
• Notion of Quebec nationalism is recent. French Canada used to be the community
of reference.
◦ there was settlement, conquest, then British rule-- early on British
crown made accommodations for French society (because it was
different from Britain, language/ religion, catholic)-- in that context
there was no willingness to assimilate the population
• 1774 Quebec Act-- made some provisions for French Canadians; waive
requirements to be active in Public life, e.g. admitting a protestant faith. Thus
this act provided some accommodation.
• When immigration increased, Constitutional act 1791-- creates lower Canada
(modern day quebec) and upper Canada (modern day ontario).
• The constitutional act meant recognition from British crown that French
Canadians could have a majority within their own political unit. Still, there
was no autonomy-- Crown held ultimate power.
• Both colonies struggled for responsible government in the 1830s (when executive
has loyalty of House to govern). Until early mid 19th century, no responsible
government. There were executive counsels in both parts of Canada,
assemblies. French canadian leaders wanted power
• Reply of Britsh crown 1840 -- Act of the Union. Grants responsible government,
but changing institutional structures of the Canadas so they would be unified.
Goal becomes to assimilate French Canadians, whereas before this wasn’t the
goal. English Canadians were the majority at this point
◦ This arragenment didn’t work. Dual prime minister ships, political
deadlocks...Ruling became difficult. Lead to Canadian federation of
1867. English Canadians wanted a unitary state, French wanted
federation lest they become minorities.
• Notion of nation for French Canadians went beyond Quebec-- sense of community
bound by language and religion.
• Important events contributing to nationalism: the hanging of Louis Riel 1885.
Louis Riel was metis, part of french nation. Advocated for creation of
province rather than territory
◦ Conscriptions: in both world wars Canadian government wanted to compel
participation in the world. First world declared by British (French
Canadians didnt want to fight for British).
◦ Both of these gave life to French nationalists
• What was nationalism about: Mostly religion, moreso than language. Catholic
church was fundamental political and social actor; its gospel instructed
peritioners on waht to do and how to behave, and French Canadians were
attentive to this gospel.
• The nationalism of French Canadians was pan-Canadian, included french
Canadians all over Canada, not in one place
• Traditional nationalism: conservative ideology, rejected communism, social
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Flanders confronts us with the paradox of a region where pro-independence parties represent almost half of the electorate, while the desire for independence remains low and pro-independence mobilizations and social movements are absent. Firstly, the electoral successes of pro-independence have nothing to do with the support for independence. Nor has there been a significant increase in support for the independence of flanders. This is probably because of the recent institutional reform. There is support for institutional status quo, in 2014 majority of flemings supported were satisfied with the existing institution or favored the return of a stronger federal state. In terms of national identity, a large majority of flemings continue to identify themselves also with belgium; only a small minority identified themselves exclusively with flanders. Secondly, the rise of the n-va has occurred in a context of a long-term decline of nationalist mobilizations. Asides from the electoral results, such mobilizations remain as minimal as before.
