Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Conservative Party Needs Multiculturalism 2.0

The 2011 Canadian federal election resulted in stability by giving majority mandate to the Conservatives during this turbulent global political and economic time.

At the same time, it brought forth a tsunami in the political landscape of Canada. Conservatives need not worry about governing, but they can't ignore the significant political disruption trend lurking underneath.

There was insignificant increase in popular votes (1.96%) for Conservative Party and majority (70%) of that increase came from Ontario only.

The Conservatives' loss of 157,000 votes in Quebec cost half of its previously held seats. As the NDP euphoria and disproportionate disillusionment with Bloc Quebecois settles (separatists' agenda still exists) in Quebec over the next four years and hopefully Conservatives don't raise any major ideological/ emotional debate, it would be easy for the Conservatives to regain at least the lost Quebec seats.

Liberals predict a young national leader from Quebec that would further erode NDP's base in Quebec and will also help reclaim more seats nationally. Over next four years, if NDP and Liberals become reasonably organized and Green party gets focused on party building, Conservatives will be in a tough spot despite doing economically well for Canada. There are examples galore around the democratic world that (aggregate) economic performance of a government doesn't guarantee re-election unless a larger part of the electorate remains connected with the government.

What Conservatives need to worry is the vote mob trend and hope that the Green Party in the interim becomes the balancing party to attract socially conscious voters (young and old alike who won't vote Conservatives) away from the NDP.

The Greens have all to gain and nothing to lose (long-term potential bigger threat) from here on in and Liberals will be in rebound mode. The NDP's socialist agenda and their electoral bubble will be exposed over next four years and history of socialist governance around the world is dismal.

The unique element of Canada is a large and ever increasing number of new Canadians. They arrive in Canada looking for a lawful country, political stability and economic opportunity. They loathed the heavy hand of government in their lives in old country. Their children are encouraged to pursue higher education to become doctors, lawyers or engineers. They want to preserve their values and raise their family and create wealth for themselves. New Canadians are Conservatives' natural vote bank and especially when Canada is inching towards becoming a majority minority country.

Historically, engagement with new Canadians has been very superficial. Politicians discuss immigration issues or visit their temples, mosques, gurudwaras and churches and learn a few words of greetings in their native languages and occasionally dress like them for photo ops.

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