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Socialism/Social Democracy: Ideologies of Equality in the Canadian Context

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The Palgrave Handbook of Gender, Sexuality, and Canadian Politics

Abstract

This chapter explores the concepts of socialism and social democracy. It provides definitions and historical context with an emphasis on the Canadian context, especially the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation and the New Democratic Party. In focusing on gender, the chapter explores how socialism and social democracy, which are grounded in notions of equality, came to terms, following years of struggle, with the marginalisation of women and sexual minorities. Ultimately, it is the notion of equality at the core of these philosophies that enables a substantial recognition and integration of women and LGBTQ+ persons into these political ideologies.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Library and Archives Canada (LAC), R10995 Vol. 26 File 8. “NDP Women’s Liberation Movement.”

  2. 2.

    LAC, MG28 IV-I Vol. 446–3 “Waffle Minutes and Meetings, 1969–70.” “Position papers and resolutions being presented to April 19th Waffle Caucus Meeting.”

  3. 3.

    LAC, MG28 IV-I Vol. 446–3 “Waffle Publications, 1969–70.” “For an Independent Socialist Canada: Resolutions Prepared by the Waffle Movement in the New Democratic Party for the consideration of Riding Associations, Affiliated Local Unions, and Youth Clubs for the Federal Convention of the New Democratic Party, Ottawa, April 1971,” 11.

  4. 4.

    LAC, MG28 IV-I Vol. 446–3 “Waffle Publications, 1969–70.” “For an Independent Socialist Canada: Resolutions Prepared by the Waffle Movement in the New Democratic Party for the consideration of Riding Associations, Affiliated Local Unions, and Youth Clubs for the Federal Convention of the New Democratic Party, Ottawa, April 1971,” 11.

  5. 5.

    LAC, MG28 IV-I Vol. 446–3 “Waffle Publications, 1969–70.” “For an Independent Socialist Canada: Resolutions Prepared by the Waffle Movement in the New Democratic Party for the consideration of Riding Associations, Affiliated Local Unions, and Youth Clubs for the Federal Convention of the New Democratic Party, Ottawa, April 1971,” 12.

  6. 6.

    LAC, R10995 Vol. 26 File 8. “NDP Past Policy on Women—A Sketch.”

  7. 7.

    LAC, MG28 IV-I Vol. 446–3 “Waffle Minutes and Meetings, 1969–70.” “Position papers and resolutions being presented to April 19th Waffle Caucus Meeting.”

  8. 8.

    LAC, MG28 IV-I Vol. 446–3 “Waffle Publications, 1969–70.” “For an Independent Socialist Canada: Resolutions Prepared by the Waffle Movement in the New Democratic Party for the consideration of Riding Associations, Affiliated Local Unions, and Youth Clubs for the Federal Convention of the New Democratic Party, Ottawa, April 1971,” 12.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Education, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Roberta Lexier

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  1. Roberta Lexier
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  1. School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Manon Tremblay

  2. Department of History & Politics, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada

    Joanna Everitt

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Lexier, R. (2020). Socialism/Social Democracy: Ideologies of Equality in the Canadian Context. In: Tremblay, M., Everitt, J. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Gender, Sexuality, and Canadian Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49240-3_4

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