Comparison Of Nationalism In Quebec And The United States

Although there are many forms of nationalism, their goals are relatively similar. All forms of nationalism focus on promoting the best interest of the nation. Our book defines nationalism as “The idea that membership in a nation is the overriding focus of political identity and loyalty, which demands national self-determination (Owens).” Nationalism can be classified as civic or ethnic and it may also support or oppose existing states. Most assume that civic nationalism is good and ethnic nationalism is bad; although this might not always be the case, in today’s society it seems as though this is true. Ethnic nationalism is the devotion to a group of a common decent; in this case the nation is perceived as being more important than the state. One current issue concerned with ethnic nationalism would be the violent nationalists that targeted a Quebec City mosque in February; and the existing cultural divide In Quebec between those of French descent and immigrants (Moustaqim). Many would argue that in Quebec, nationalism has always leaned ethnic rather than civic. Civic nationalism is the devotion to a state and its values; where membership determines nationality. The cultural melting pot of the United States is an example of civic nationalism. But Unlike the United States, a country that welcomes immigrants, Quebec has attempted

Quebec has proposed two referendums in the past, one in 1980 and one in 1995 which advocated secession from Canada (Ragan). Quebec’s intention through both proposals was to create a new state through separation from Canada, but both attempts at sovereignty failed. If Quebec was to gain sovereignty it would most likely adopt a new form of currency equal to that of Canada. This would likely cause market pessimism and the depreciation of the Canadian dollar; resulting in an increased price of all Canadian imports