Class Conflict in Canada

Essay by jen_spoonUniversity, Bachelor'sB, January 2010

download word file, 10 pages 0.0

Downloaded 14 times

The issue of class conflict in contemporary capitalism is an important obstacle affecting Canada. The capitalist system currently operating in Canada only adds to the differentiation among classes causing a larger rift and increased class cleavages. The constraints of the free market prevent important social programs the country requires to survive affecting the lower class causing suffering and hardship. Capitalism leads to an increasing rift of inequality within Canadian society. The purpose of this paper is to describe how class conflict affects contemporary capitalism in Canada through an examination of the nature of capitalism, initial implementation of capitalism, a Conservative reaction and an outlook towards the need for capitalism in the future.

In order to establish the nature of capitalism in Canada, an examination of the issues involving the problems must be attempted. The problem in Canada is that the capitalist system has led to a dismantling of the welfare state.

This is why Canadian governments must focus on the effects of capitalism and work harder on saving Canada's social programs, rather than on trying to develop further capitalist policies. They have to focus on soothing the worst effects of class conflict. This is proving increasingly difficult because of economic globalization.

"Marxist and Radical Democratic critiques argued that historically and logically, capitalism is tied to the private ownership of the means of production - the right of individuals or corporate entities to the exclusive use of land, money, and labour power. This private ownership encourages wealth to accumulate predominately in one class." (Brodie, pg 55)Another problem arises due to the right wing forces having succeeded in getting the country's attention to focus on the debt. They have done so by cutting back on Canada's social programs. In many respects, the right-wing agenda has made deficits and debts a central issue.