Democracy has taken to the streets, but yet, autocracy is ascending. People want more freedom, yet government activism gains ground. Those who support free enterprise and personal initiative have no answers for the changing mood. They need to consider the big picture for new ideas. . .Two huge, fundamental changes are happening. They are like two massive tectonic plates moving imperceptibly slowly toward each other. At the collision point, the serene landscape is being thrust upward like the formation of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Once buried layers long hidden below the surface, are becoming exposed..One plate is what sociologists have identified as a demand for a greater say by individuals in democracy..Ronald Inglehart (University of Michigan) identified and verified a spontaneously emerging trend (in the 1970’s). He labeled it ‘Post-Materialist thinking’. Its predecessor, ‘Materialist thinking’ was dominant from the Age of Enlightenment (late 1700’s). His research showed that those born after 1950 have an ever likelier probability of having this new world view. .Materialists deferred to authority, sought personal advantage, acquiesced to government and expect it to help their journey to material advancement. Political structures were built with this in mind..Post-Materialists distrust authority and seek societal solutions, rather than individual benefits. Change comes from social action groups. As time advances and materialists pass-on, this view is becoming increasingly common..This should mean a more democratic country, but that isn’t happening. .The other plate is that our democratic system is becoming more autocratic. Shuttering of Parliament, the PMO undermining Ministers, governing by press conference, and gagging committees are only recent examples of the advancing executive..It started with Trudeau I. Previously we had a British Westminster system with no codified constitution and supremacy of Parliament/people. His US-style constitution made our system more American..A US-style executive emerged in Canada. Parliament diminished in relevance. The Prime Minister’s Office went from what was then a scandalous 120 people, to about 10 times that number under his son. The Privy Council – once non-partisan – now simply enforces the PM’s bidding. Input, especially from the regions has been discarded. .US-style checks and balances between Congress, the judiciary and the president don’t exist here. Everyone serves the PM. He even appoints judges, the leadership of the RCMP, and military, unilaterally..The electorate seems unwilling to stop him. The PM has abducted the desire for social change for his own advantage. The PM virtue signals that social change can only happen through him. Useful voices are amplified (waiting weeks to address railway blockades); voices of no value are disregarded (Alberta trekkers wanting jobs). Each social group perceives that if they are loyal to Justin (a friend enjoined in fighting old authority), they will get the weight of the state behind their goal. .The history of Western civilization is littered with this strategy. The elite have used everything new to extend their command and control over the people, seldom to the benefit of the people at large. .Disruption and absolutism will continue to advance. Voting for conservative parties will not solve it (see the US). Dismembering the country into parts will not change anything (it’s rooted in every province). .The political system no longer meets our changing desire for improved democracy. But the top just continually concentrates control. Inglehart’s post-materialists want more democracy but all that’s on the table are ideas that kneecap free-enterprise, reduce liberties and deliver ever larger government. .Those that want a different outcome need to look outside the box of their current thinking act entrepreneurially and propose systemic improvements where freedom, self-initiative and democracy can all come together, maybe even benefit everyone. .Randy Royer is a Columnist for the Western Standard, a Calgary businessman, and the author of ‘Alberta Doesn’t Fit.’
Democracy has taken to the streets, but yet, autocracy is ascending. People want more freedom, yet government activism gains ground. Those who support free enterprise and personal initiative have no answers for the changing mood. They need to consider the big picture for new ideas. . .Two huge, fundamental changes are happening. They are like two massive tectonic plates moving imperceptibly slowly toward each other. At the collision point, the serene landscape is being thrust upward like the formation of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Once buried layers long hidden below the surface, are becoming exposed..One plate is what sociologists have identified as a demand for a greater say by individuals in democracy..Ronald Inglehart (University of Michigan) identified and verified a spontaneously emerging trend (in the 1970’s). He labeled it ‘Post-Materialist thinking’. Its predecessor, ‘Materialist thinking’ was dominant from the Age of Enlightenment (late 1700’s). His research showed that those born after 1950 have an ever likelier probability of having this new world view. .Materialists deferred to authority, sought personal advantage, acquiesced to government and expect it to help their journey to material advancement. Political structures were built with this in mind..Post-Materialists distrust authority and seek societal solutions, rather than individual benefits. Change comes from social action groups. As time advances and materialists pass-on, this view is becoming increasingly common..This should mean a more democratic country, but that isn’t happening. .The other plate is that our democratic system is becoming more autocratic. Shuttering of Parliament, the PMO undermining Ministers, governing by press conference, and gagging committees are only recent examples of the advancing executive..It started with Trudeau I. Previously we had a British Westminster system with no codified constitution and supremacy of Parliament/people. His US-style constitution made our system more American..A US-style executive emerged in Canada. Parliament diminished in relevance. The Prime Minister’s Office went from what was then a scandalous 120 people, to about 10 times that number under his son. The Privy Council – once non-partisan – now simply enforces the PM’s bidding. Input, especially from the regions has been discarded. .US-style checks and balances between Congress, the judiciary and the president don’t exist here. Everyone serves the PM. He even appoints judges, the leadership of the RCMP, and military, unilaterally..The electorate seems unwilling to stop him. The PM has abducted the desire for social change for his own advantage. The PM virtue signals that social change can only happen through him. Useful voices are amplified (waiting weeks to address railway blockades); voices of no value are disregarded (Alberta trekkers wanting jobs). Each social group perceives that if they are loyal to Justin (a friend enjoined in fighting old authority), they will get the weight of the state behind their goal. .The history of Western civilization is littered with this strategy. The elite have used everything new to extend their command and control over the people, seldom to the benefit of the people at large. .Disruption and absolutism will continue to advance. Voting for conservative parties will not solve it (see the US). Dismembering the country into parts will not change anything (it’s rooted in every province). .The political system no longer meets our changing desire for improved democracy. But the top just continually concentrates control. Inglehart’s post-materialists want more democracy but all that’s on the table are ideas that kneecap free-enterprise, reduce liberties and deliver ever larger government. .Those that want a different outcome need to look outside the box of their current thinking act entrepreneurially and propose systemic improvements where freedom, self-initiative and democracy can all come together, maybe even benefit everyone. .Randy Royer is a Columnist for the Western Standard, a Calgary businessman, and the author of ‘Alberta Doesn’t Fit.’
