Pierre Elliot Trudeau :: essays research papers

Pierre Elliot TrudeauPublished in 1968, Federalism and the French Canadians is anideological anthology featuring a series of essays written by PierreElliot Trudeau during his time spent with the Federal Liberal party ofCanada. The emphasis of the book deals with the problems and conflictsfacing the country during the Duplessis regime in Quebec. WhileTrudeau stresses his adamant convictions on Anglophone/Francophonerelations and struggles for equality in a confederated land, he alsoelaborates on his own ideological views pertaining to Federalism andNationalism. The subscriber is introduced to some(prenominal) essays that discuss tyke legislature and conflict (Quebec and the thoroughProblem, A Constitutional Declaration of Rights) while othercompositions deal with impending and contemporary Federal predicaments(Federal Grants to Universities, The Practice and Theory ofFederalism, Separatist Counter-Revolutionaries). Throughout all thesedocumented personal accounts and critiques, t he reader learns thatTrudeau is a sharp critic of contemporary Quebec nationalism and thathis prime political conviction (or thesis) is sporadically reflectedin each essay Federalism is the only possible administration of governmentthat breeds and sustains equality in a multicultural country such asCanada.Trudeau is fervent and stalwart in his opinions towardsFederalism and its ramifications on Canadian citizenry. Born andbrocaded in Quebec, he attended several prestigious institutions thateducated him about the political spectrum of the country. After histime spent at the London School of Economics, Trudeau returned toQuebec at a time when the province was experiencing vast differenceswith its Federal overseer. The Union Nationale, a religiousnationalist movement rooted deep in the heart of Quebec culture, had agonistic the Federal government to reconcile and mediate with them inorder to avoid civil disorder or unrest. The Premier of Quebec at thetime, Maurice Duplessis, found it almost unworkable to appease theneeds of each diverse interest group and faction rising within theprovince and ultimately buckled underneath the increasing pressure.Many Francophones believed that they were creation discriminated andtreated unfairly due to the British North American Act which failed torecognize the unique nature of the province in its list of provisions.Trudeau, with the aid of several colleagues, fought the imminent waveof social chaos in Quebec with anti-clerical and communist visions heobtained while in his adolescent years. However, as the nationalistmovement gained momentum against the Provincial government, Trudeaucame to the startling realization that Provincial autonomy would notsolidify Quebecs future in the country (he believed that separatismwould soon follow) and unless Duplessis could successfully negotiate(on the issue of a constitution) with the rest of Canada, the prospectof self-sovereignty for Quebec would transpire.His first essay (Quebec and th e Constitutional Problem) explores