Liberalism versus Communitarianism and Canada's Constitutional Conundrum

摘要: This paper argues that efforts to resolve Canada's constitutional conundrum with the distinct society clause, or unique character are likely fail because legal recognition of Quebec's distinctiveness and entrenchment collective rights is inimical liberal understanding equality held by many Canadians outside province Quebec. The suggests, however, aspirations Quebec could be realised within a framework federalism, if prepared accept classical form federalism as system government legally divided sovereignty. Selon cette etude, les visant h resoudre l'enigme constitutionnelle / l aide d'une clause portant soit sur la societe distincte ou l'idee caracteristique unique, ont de tres fortes chances d'echouer. En effet, reconnaissance juridique specificite du et l'enchassement des droits collectifs ne s'accordent pas avec comprehension liberale l'egalite telle que definie par beaucoup Canadien/nes hors Cet article suggere cependant Qu6bec peuvent etre atteintes l'interieur cadre federal si sont pret/es accepter forme classique federalisme, savoir, un systeme gouvernement partir souverainete6 jurdiquement divisee. referendum 30 October 1995, took Canada precipice dissolution. razor-thin margin victory achieved those who voted "non" has led most observers conclude current status no quo. While sovereignists relish prospect being at threshold statehood, Quebecois federalists have insisted Canadian constitution must recognise "distinct society,"' phrase they adopted present themselves "national community" Canada,2 or, very least, acknowledge "unique character" Quebec.3 This, asserted, necessary obtain accession repatriated constitution. Many Quebec, been reluctant embrace this prescription.4 They argued, without much precision, would violate principle equal citizenship.5 These two positions informed different, ultimately incommensurable, political philosophies. tend exhibit communitarian conceptualisation, while equality. Liberalism communitarianism "mega-constitutional orientations" heuristic, not definitive, value. represent broad beliefs rest Canada, but universally nor exclusively citizens these regions.6 In irreconcilable orientations, society, character, cannot serve basis for an overlapping consensus. objectives could, explicitly essence A thorough re-examination may thus yield "overlapping consensus."' Communitarianism philosophical traditions, both enormous internal differentiation.8 share certain values, such in democracy, rule law, value public participation, welfare cultural diversity,9 fundamentally different assumptions. Amy Gutmann articulates four distinctive characteristics liberalism: I) theory begins stipulating what constitutes individual's interest. 2) Among interests interest liberty: doing one chooses interference from others. 3) state then justified only it satisfies individuals previously understood. …