Week 2 P2

Sep 17, 2024

Lecture Notes: Canadian Values

Overview

  • Exploration of Canadian values and their distinction from the US and the rest of the world.
  • Based on Ronald Engelhardt's two main value Dimensions:
    1. Traditional vs. Secular-Rational
    2. Survival vs. Self-Expression

Traditional vs. Secular-Rational Dimension

  • Traditional Values: Moral, religious values; importance of God; traditional family values.
  • Secular-Rational Values: Non-religious, instrumental values; support for practices like divorce, abortion, euthanasia.

Survival vs. Self-Expression Dimension

  • Survival Values: Focus on economic, physical security; less tolerant and trustful.
  • Self-Expression Values: Focus on environment, tolerance of diversity, political participation, quality of life.

Canadian Position in World Value Survey

  • Canada and the US have high self-expression values, moderate traditional vs. secular-rational values.
  • Similarity between Canadians and Americans, with some overlap in values.
  • Canadians slightly more secular-rational than Americans.

National Pride

  • Survey comparing national pride in Canada vs. the US shows similar levels of pride.
  • Both nations report about 90% pride in their country.

Trust in Government

  • Canadians have more confidence in political institutions compared to Americans.
  • Confidence is higher in Canada for legislature, judiciary, civil service, and political parties.

Good Citizenship

  • Two Dimensions:
    1. Citizen Duty: Obey laws, pay taxes, vote, serve in military.
    2. Engaged Citizenship: Active in civil society, ethical consumerism, government accountability.
  • Canadians have higher sense of citizen duty, more confidence in political authority.
  • Moderate engagement in civil society compared to other countries.

Key Takeaways

  • Canadians are highly self-expressive, moderately secular-rational.
  • Strong national pride similar to Americans.
  • More confidence in government, supportive of state intervention.
  • Distinctive yet similar to US values.

Next Lecture

  • Exploration of the origins of distinctive Canadian values and their similarities to US values.