A progressive perspective on the 2017 German federal election
The 2017 federal elections in Germany confirm and continue some key trends in contemporary politics.
The 2017 federal elections in Germany confirm and continue some key trends in contemporary politics.

Creating the social partnership that is the core of social democracy—in the Nordic model, anyway—is a provincial undertaking which can greatly benefit from a strong federal ally.

Social democratic visions of a “democratized” economy have too often paid scant attention to the enduring role and impact of European racism, imperialism, nationalism, and colonialism in modern capitalism and in social democratic reforms.

What we urgently need is a recreation of the effective politics of post-War social democracy. But we can’t just return to the past.

Given the huge imbalance, this would likely require more managed trade plus more proactive Canadian industrial policies. As a planned economy, China might be open to sectoral managed trade arrangements.

It’s not right for us to think that we Canadians are immune to a radical right wing fanning intolerance and hate. We cannot be complacent. We need to change the game.

The government’s refusal to meet the terms of the Human Rights Tribunal ruling reminds us that Canada’s economy systematically devalues Indigenous life.

Will white progressives struggle for anti-racism alongside people of colour, and make it a central strategy and analytical tool in organizing change?

“If a blind faith in unfettered markets continues to prevail, I believe the social foundation for our democracies will continue to be shaken.”


