About time
that someone asked the “Now What” question as I suspect it’s on many
people’s minds. I too also found the
differences between the traditional center-left parties minimal in overall substance. The so called political spectrum limits the
conversation as all parties have a blend of what could be considered left or
right of center at any given moment causing the a degree of confusion around
the choices the electorate makes around what party aligns most with their values.
What Alvin
missed was that although there was little policy difference between the
center-left parties there were lots of personal differences between the parties
that are much wider. Until these personal differences gets resolved for the “greater
good” the center-left agenda will suffer the same as the center-right that are
said to be in a family feud.
Now look
what we have, a conservative government with an even more conservative
opposition, talk about a narrow conversation!
There was an
argument made to me once that the creation of new parties was good for democracy
because it offered more choice. Thinking
of the big picture I replied that the proliferation of choice was effectively
no choice, if all it does is risk splitting the vote.
In marketing if you offer too much choice, people will choose--not to choose, or stick with what they know best. Just walk into your favorite restaurant after they change the menu and add more choices, you will know what I mean.
What’s
strange about the last Provincial election in large part was that it was about fear, not an
overarching inspiring vision of what Alberta is, and can be. This speaks to the fact that the electorate
is likely more pragmatic that political parties don’t give proper credit for. I am convinced however that Albertans want to
rally behind a common vision that gives personal and corporate purpose and
promotes the desire to stay in Alberta, not just make your money and run.
To get
moving on this conversation may require breaking things down to much deeper
level. To assist consider watching Harvard
University professor Michael Sandel and his talk “Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?” he has some interesting things to say about the debate regarding the
role of government.
To Alvin and the Alberta Democratic Renewal Project thank you for your hard work.
Thanks Noleftandright. I agree with you that the personality differences are very important. There's also a difference in political culture. But the policies are so very similar. I'll certainly check out Professor Sandel's talk.
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