Libertarianism vs. Statism

There's been a bit of a buzz lately about the old Libertarian/Statism debate in Canada. While the hardcore statist left would have us believe that Canada has always been more collectivist (read: caring and sharing), Jay has unearthed some evidence to the contrary. Meanwhile, el Monger has also opened a can of worms with his last few posts, and Occam's Carbuncle is also stirring the pot a bit....And Babbling Brooks is feeling the love over in his neck of the woods.

I'm living in what could be one of the most advanced libertarian states of the developed world. Japan's governments take far less in terms of GDP than the US, Canada and Europe. While Japan's care of its elderly or sick could hardly be considered 'hard hearted' or 'mean', it does manage to care for these groups in a reasonable fashion.

Some factors to consider when looking at Japan:

1) It has a homogenous population, and is not exactly 'hospitable' to foreigners. Yes, they are great hosts, but as everyone (Japanese or otherwise) has informed me, you will never fit in unless you are ethnically Japanese-and if you're Ainu (indigineous Japanese), forget about it-You are not in the club.

2) It has a dense population: More services are delivered to a larger population in a much smaller area. Imagine 4 times Canada's population in the space of about 1/2 of BC. Yeah, that's tight. But it also means that economies of scale are achieved.

3) Their education system preaches loyalty to the state and each other. There is a 'collectivist' thinking that goes beyond the reaches of the government. After the initial forays into western style democracy and education, the government realized that they may be in for chaotic democracy and non-stop strikes/petitions...general mishaps...So they changed the education system to socialize students to be more collectivist...but outside the government sphere. Families are tight, social circles and cohesion are paramount, and no one is left out or felt to be 'inadequate' or stupid. In Japan, the socialization of the young has a focus on inclusion of your fellow Japanese. Everyone has a place, and they are proud of however they serve their nation. All workers from maintenance to construction and other service industry jobs, wear uniforms that are crisp, and usually include brand new white gloves (worn at all times). If ever there were a prouder people.....

In Canada, the first two points are non-starters. We don't have a homogenous population for better or worse, so we don't always have a sense of closeness to our neighbours..because frankly, we are human, and cannot always relate to the customs and ways of other countries. We try to be as moderate and accomodating as we can, but it is a lot harder to feel close when you do not share a common background. Also, we are about as geographically diverse as possible. This country is thinly populated and not at all able to deliver a multitude of services to a huge population with a minimum of delivery costs.

I think the last point is also a non-starter. Half the time Canadian content in schools is derided by students and faculty alike. Also, throw a good dose of revisionist BS (Louis Riel was a hero?) and you have campuses of jaded and mostly apathetic students. We have a short history (officially) that is poorly taught-and that's not a jab at profs or teachers necessarily-and mostly breezed through. Our school system teaches us to devalue our own great history, and instead look to another nations to feel smug about (the US), or feel proud of (everywhere else).

I don't know what the chances are that Canada will return to more 'Libertarian' state, but I think that we have some hurdles to overcome if that would be the goal. In my gut, I don't think it is possible for the forseeable future, but no matter what, if this change were to happen, I think that the change will be less a change in hearts and minds of Canadians, and not a change in the government. Change will come from within before it comes from the top.