Grant’s thought remains as relevant as ever. But his lament, often misunderstood, deserves reassessment. Grant’s pessimism contains seeds that give us reason for optimism beyond what he imagined.
Great piece! Lament for a Nation remains on my "to Read" list, so happy that you've given a good sense of Grant :)
It seems that some sort of return or re-forging of classic red toryism could provide a good incubator for renewed Canadian nationalism. I agree with you that finding the old founding ethos and nationalism is probably untenable, especially with its concentration on government centralization and a strong independent non-USA identity. That being the case to create a new type of national feeling in Canada probably requires some sort of viable opposing viewpoint to the liberal consensus to be articulated.
Really enjoying these pieces, as its giving me a lot more to read and think about :)
Just a "Lament for a Nation (1965)" would work. Sometimes when dealing with a long history, it can help the reader with a (year) nudge within the prose.
This was very interesting to read, and I agree with your diagnosis. As a culturally conservative Québécois I've been thinking a long time about that Canadian "intentionality", as liberalism flattens regional particularism. After all, modern Canadian identity is born out of Trudeau's anti-Québec nationalism -and ethnocultural nationalism in general- and an individualistic conception of modern life. This new identity has been institutionnally enforced by entrenching the Charter of rights and freedoms to the constitution and by promoting bilingualism instead of recognizing the linguistic duality of the country, among other things. In other words, Canada has constructed itself by deconstructing what it has been historically.
In today's Canada, what institutional form would this regional pluralism and diversity take? What do you have in mind? Quebec federalists intellectuals like Alain G. Gagnon and Benoît Pelletier have proposed in the last couple of years a multinational federation model, which tries to reconcile the irreversibly growing individual diversity with collective diversity. It attempts to make federalism recognize and asymmetrically accomodate various forms of nationhood like the Québec nation, the First nations, the Acadian nation, the English canadian nation, etc. Some of those intellectuals have suggested the Senate becomes what is has always meant to be, that is a Chamber of provinces which would includes regional representation. Is that what you have in mind or do you think it might further undermine a canadian sense of nationhood?
Finally, I would end by pointing out that observers in English Canada like Andrew Coyne, who's unequivocally a liberal thinker, have suggested that the declining sense of Canadian nationhood comes from the depleted powers and legitimacy of the federal government, which could only be restored by radically democratic and institutional reforms, like a proportional representation electoral system. What do you make of that assessment, which seems contrary to what you see?
Wow, I see I have my original Lament for a Nation. I have kept it all these years. I originally bought it because I admired the authors defense of The Great Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. I see now that the book is considered an Academic piece of work, so I am going to read it again from that prospective. It has been decades since I read the book and a lot of changes have occurred in the real world since it was written And a lot of things have occurred in my adult life. Except for one thing. I still consider John Diefenbaker as Canada greatest Prime Minister. I have an autographed picture of him as well of a photo of him and my self. I was also privileged to attend his 100th birthday party that took place at the House of Commons in Ottawa. He had long past away by then. Bur his legacy lives on. I am sure he watched from above and enjoyed the birthday celebration. Well maybe he would not have tolerated so much all the booze that was consumed that evening lol lol
Great piece! Lament for a Nation remains on my "to Read" list, so happy that you've given a good sense of Grant :)
It seems that some sort of return or re-forging of classic red toryism could provide a good incubator for renewed Canadian nationalism. I agree with you that finding the old founding ethos and nationalism is probably untenable, especially with its concentration on government centralization and a strong independent non-USA identity. That being the case to create a new type of national feeling in Canada probably requires some sort of viable opposing viewpoint to the liberal consensus to be articulated.
Really enjoying these pieces, as its giving me a lot more to read and think about :)
It would help if the works cited contained a published date. I was a bit lost, but then found my way!
Fair point, I didn't include them to make it feel less like an academic paper but I'll try and add some footnotes when I get chance!
Just a "Lament for a Nation (1965)" would work. Sometimes when dealing with a long history, it can help the reader with a (year) nudge within the prose.
Hi.
This was very interesting to read, and I agree with your diagnosis. As a culturally conservative Québécois I've been thinking a long time about that Canadian "intentionality", as liberalism flattens regional particularism. After all, modern Canadian identity is born out of Trudeau's anti-Québec nationalism -and ethnocultural nationalism in general- and an individualistic conception of modern life. This new identity has been institutionnally enforced by entrenching the Charter of rights and freedoms to the constitution and by promoting bilingualism instead of recognizing the linguistic duality of the country, among other things. In other words, Canada has constructed itself by deconstructing what it has been historically.
In today's Canada, what institutional form would this regional pluralism and diversity take? What do you have in mind? Quebec federalists intellectuals like Alain G. Gagnon and Benoît Pelletier have proposed in the last couple of years a multinational federation model, which tries to reconcile the irreversibly growing individual diversity with collective diversity. It attempts to make federalism recognize and asymmetrically accomodate various forms of nationhood like the Québec nation, the First nations, the Acadian nation, the English canadian nation, etc. Some of those intellectuals have suggested the Senate becomes what is has always meant to be, that is a Chamber of provinces which would includes regional representation. Is that what you have in mind or do you think it might further undermine a canadian sense of nationhood?
Finally, I would end by pointing out that observers in English Canada like Andrew Coyne, who's unequivocally a liberal thinker, have suggested that the declining sense of Canadian nationhood comes from the depleted powers and legitimacy of the federal government, which could only be restored by radically democratic and institutional reforms, like a proportional representation electoral system. What do you make of that assessment, which seems contrary to what you see?
Thank you.
Wow, I see I have my original Lament for a Nation. I have kept it all these years. I originally bought it because I admired the authors defense of The Great Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. I see now that the book is considered an Academic piece of work, so I am going to read it again from that prospective. It has been decades since I read the book and a lot of changes have occurred in the real world since it was written And a lot of things have occurred in my adult life. Except for one thing. I still consider John Diefenbaker as Canada greatest Prime Minister. I have an autographed picture of him as well of a photo of him and my self. I was also privileged to attend his 100th birthday party that took place at the House of Commons in Ottawa. He had long past away by then. Bur his legacy lives on. I am sure he watched from above and enjoyed the birthday celebration. Well maybe he would not have tolerated so much all the booze that was consumed that evening lol lol