09Chp08: Social Programs and Taxation

Key Focus Questions

• Should individuals or society pay for medical services?
• How decisions about social programs and taxation in Canada and the U.S. meet citizens' needs?
• What values shape the economic policies of political parties on social programs and taxation?

Understanding Social Programs and Taxation

• Social programs are government services aimed at reducing economic inequalities and promoting well-being.
• In Canada, social programs are funded by taxes and include health care, pensions, income assistance, etc.
• The U.S. offers fewer social programs, with a greater reliance on private insurance and personal savings.

Case Study: Health Care

• Canada employs a public health care system funded by taxes, while the U.S. relies more on private health care.
• Public health care in Canada is universal, portable, and accessible but faces challenges like long wait times.
• The U.S. faces issues with rising health care costs and uninsured citizens.

Designing Economic Policies

• Economic policies should reflect values on the public good, government roles, and economic inequalities.
• Important steps include understanding values, using taxation to support social programs, and analyzing government involvement in mixed economies.

Political Party Platforms

• Political platforms reflect party values and policies related to social programs and taxation.
• Canadian parties: Bloc Québécois, Conservative, Green, Liberal, and NDP have varying approaches to health care, taxes, and social programs.
• U.S. parties: Democratic and Republican parties differ significantly in their approach to health care and taxation.

Taxation and Social Programs

• Taxes fund social programs, with income and sales taxes being primary sources.
• Tax evasion impacts government revenues and affects the quality of social programs.

Critical Thinking Challenges

• Issues in public vs. private health care systems.
• The role of government in economic decision-making and its impact on quality of life.
• The evolving values shaping social programs over time.

Consensus Building in Policy Design

• Involves respecting ideas, negotiating, and compromising for a shared vision.
• Policies should reflect a consensus on values and effectively address social needs.

Issues in Canadian and U.S. Contexts

• Differences in how Canada and the U.S. approach social programs reflect different political values and economic philosophies.
• Political platforms influence economic policies and reflect party values on the economic continuum.

Engaging Youth in Politics

• Youth can influence political platforms and participate in shaping the future of social programs.
• Opportunities include joining party youth divisions and participating in political discourse.

Chapter Summary

• To what extent Canadians should support social programs and taxation involves understanding values, political platforms, and economic policies.
• Encourage active engagement and informed debate on political and social issues related to taxation and social programs.