Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Canadian Election Debrief w/ Jeet Heer
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May 12, 2025 Jeet Heer, a Canadian journalist and national correspondent for The Nation, discusses the recent Canadian election, focusing on the Liberal Party's retention of power and the emerging Conservative threat. He dives into the complexities of Canada's political landscape, particularly the shift towards populism. Joining him is Natasha Piano, an Assistant Professor of Political Theory at UCLA, who explores elite theory through the lens of Italian thinkers. Together, they analyze the evolving dynamics of political accountability and the growing concerns around anti-American sentiment in Canada.
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Canadian Liberals' Centrist Success
- The Canadian Liberal Party is the most successful centrist party in the Western world, governing 70 out of 100 years in the 20th century.
- It balances French and English Canadian interests and governs from a centrist position linked to property and the central Canadian elite.
Conservatives' Base and Shift
- The Conservative Party in Canada is rooted in Western provinces but can expand in central Canada under strong leadership.
- They blend traditional center-right politics with populist anti-system elements appealing to some working-class voters.
Trump's Impact on Canadian Election
- Trump's talk of annexing Canada revitalized Canadian nationalism benefiting the Liberals.
- The Liberals absorbed votes from social democratic and sovereigntist parties, while Conservatives gained anti-system and working-class support.
