Fearful Symmetry: The Fall and Rise of Canada's Founding Values

Andrew is a publishing professional based in Toronto, Ontario.

Brian Lee Crowley's masterful work of Canadian political history and thought begins with the premise that Canada's historical political values were actually more akin to those of pre-New Deal America than the welfare state "Trudeaupia" that the past two generations of Canadians have grown up with.  It emphasizes the Canadian political establishment's historical emphasis on the work ethic as the key to human happiness, rather than demanding funds and entitlements from the state.  Crowley backs up these claims with a whole host of well-referenced quotes from a diverse collection of our nation's historical leaders, from Wilfred Laurier to Tommy Douglas (who, by the way, is treated by Crowley as a mild reformer, rather than a Marxist-Socialist he has been portrayed as by some.)

The book argues convincingly that Canada's welfare state experiments were not "home-grown" but were actually borrowed from the United States, and have been retained despite America's abandonment of them.  This, according to Crowley, does not demonstrate Canada's "distinctiveness" as much as it shows that we are slower to learn from others' mistakes.  Canada's Fathers of Confederation, Crowley asserts, believed that mankind was made for productive work, that it fulfilled one of the deepest needs of human beings: to be and to feel useful.  This sort of work ethic was regarded as an important step in the growth and maturity of individuals, as well as healthy (and happy) societies. 

The more controversial claim by Crowley is that the modern Canadian welfare state came about as an indirect result of Quebec nationalism, which began a "bidding war" between the Canadian federal government and Quebec provincial government to see who could offer more welfare services.  Quebeckers would then vote for whichever jurisdiction offered them the most services and entitlements.  As a result, other provincial residents and governments began demanding similar services, and the modern Canadian welfare state began to take shape.

The one element of Fearful Symmetry that I did find objectionable was Crowley's constant references to French Canadians' desire for a secular form of "salvation" through political and cultural missionising of the rest of the country, and certainly in la belle provence.  Such accusations would carry more weight were they backed up with footnote-based quotes and references; without them, this sort of ventriloquism on behalf of one's political opponents sounds more like ranting than reasoning.  It also casts suspicion on one's honesty and motives, even amongst those who would otherwise sympathize with Crowley's views.

A fascinating blend of philosophy and politics, Fearful Symmetry offers an intelligent diagnosis of Canadian society's problems, and solutions which many of the West's internal critics have, as yet, failed to provide.  Highly Recommended.