Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Kitchen Vegetable Chopper Slicer Buy Now
Women's Cotton Modal Pajama Set Buy Now
GoPro Fusion CHDHZ-103-FW 360 Buy Now
Skechers Men's Summits Colsin Slip-In Work Shoe Buy Now
Smartwatch Fitness Tracker for Men Buy Now
Womens Strappy Square Neck Tank Top Tummy Control Buy Now
Kaliyadi Polarized Sunglasses for Men Buy Now
SUNGAIT Ultra-Light Polarized Sunglasses Buy Now
Islamic Long Headscarf Chiffon Shawl Buy Now
Kanjivaram Silk Saree Buy Now
5-Pack Dry Fit T-Shirts Buy Now
The Ultimate Fitness Journal Buy Now
Men's Straight-Fit Pant Buy Now
Swarovski Subtle Bracelet Buy Now
J.VER Men's Dress Shirts Buy Now
Gold Pearl Bridal Jewelry Set Buy Now
Slim RFID Aluminum Card Wallet Buy Now
Augusta Ladies' Performance Shorts Buy Now
Business Casual Men Blazer Buy Now
Cremo Italian Bergamot Body Wash Buy Now
Kitchen Vegetable Chopper Slicer Buy Now
Women's Cotton Modal Pajama Set Buy Now
GoPro Fusion CHDHZ-103-FW 360 Buy Now
Skechers Men's Summits Colsin Slip-In Work Shoe Buy Now
Smartwatch Fitness Tracker for Men Buy Now
Womens Strappy Square Neck Tank Top Tummy Control Buy Now
Kaliyadi Polarized Sunglasses for Men Buy Now
SUNGAIT Ultra-Light Polarized Sunglasses Buy Now
Islamic Long Headscarf Chiffon Shawl Buy Now
Kanjivaram Silk Saree Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Attacking opponents as socialists and dictators weakens the fabric of our democracy

Attacking opponents as socialists and dictators weakens the fabric of our democracy

CBC
Thursday, April 21, 2022 9:22 AM GMT

This column is an opinion by Stewart Prest, a lecturer in political science at Simon Fraser University. For more information about CBC's Opinion section, please see the FAQ.

From communists to dictators, there are a lot of five- and 10-dollar words flying around in politics these days.

While such terms have a textbook definition, they also have a strategic meaning when used by politicians. They are labels used to encourage listeners to think about someone in a specific, often highly negative, and even delegitimizing way — a shorthand code to associate politicians with anti-democratic values.

For instance, during the recent debate about the government's fiscal update, Conservative MP Brad Redekopp stood in the House of Commons to say, "In Ottawa, we saw the use of the Emergencies Act to call on police forces to crush peaceful protesters under the jackboot of the prime minister's basic dictatorship, and another dictator is currently using his war machine to crush our friends in Ukraine."

Fellow Conservative MP Rachael Thomas supported her colleague, arguing that "According to the Oxford dictionary, a dictator is a 'ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained control by force.' There are many Canadians who would hold the view that this applies to the Prime Minister of Canada. It is up to the Canadian people to determine that, and they will be determining that in the next election."

On its face, something doesn't add up here. A leader that can be publicly challenged in the legislature, and voted out in a forthcoming free and fair election, is not a dictator. Moreover, every democracy must use some measure of force to maintain public order and to balance among competing freedoms. If some feel that a government has overstepped the mark in doing so, their actions are challengeable in court. We are seeing a number of Canadians do just that with regard to the response to the Ottawa occupation.

Such realities aside, politicians like Redekopp and Thomas use the "dictator" label to convey the idea that a leader is not sufficiently accountable to the will of the people, or that they have illegitimately used coercion to maintain power. The impression that the leader is out of touch and abusing their power can stick with listeners. 

Repeated often enough, the insult becomes part of the way opponents perceive a leader. They are effectively framed as undemocratic, and even illegitimate.

Other terms can be used to delegitimize as well. For instance, as part of his leadership campaign, Pierre Poilievre is leaning into a relatively libertarian view of conservatism. The central word of his campaign has been "freedom": from pandemic regulations to access to alternative currencies like Bitcoin, his campaign is built around the idea that more government is the problem, and freedom is the solution.

To emphasize his own views, Poilievre refers to his opponents as "socialists." He dismissed the supply-and-confidence agreement between the NDP and the Liberals as a "socialist coalition." Given how the label "socialist" conjures up additional burdens of taxation and regulation, it is an ideal foil for a libertarian speaking to those who feel they would be better able to chart their own path without the state's assistance. 

"Socialist" used as an attack can be delegitimizing as well, particularly when a link is drawn or implied between it and the anti-democratic evils of 20th-century communism. 

Communists, while agreeing with democratic socialists on the need to redistribute resources, endorse the need for revolutionary change, a transformation of the economy toward collective ownership to which all contribute, and are paid according to some combination of needs, abilities, and work. In theory, that revolution need not be undemocratic; in practice, however, communist revolutions, and the regimes that followed, have been just that. 

While not using the label "communist" to refer to opponents directly, Poilievre has at times drawn links between his opponents and socialism, communism and authoritarianism. For instance, last year he tweeted that "Trudeau said he admired China's 'basic dictatorship' and called Fidel Castro a 'legendary revolutionary.' He still believes those things. That is why he won't condemn the socialist crackdown on the Cuban people."

Again, the reality is that belief in a more active state makes one neither communist, nor anti-democratic. In kindergarten — stay with me here — along with rules like "don't eat the paste," and "don't give yourself a haircut with your neat new scissors," we learn two seemingly contradictory, yet equally crucial social lessons: don't take what isn't yours, and make sure you share with others so that everyone has enough.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Special air quality statement in effect alongside heat warning

Londoners are urged to limit time outdoors on Monday as a special air quality statement is issued on top of an ongoing heat warning.

Trump sets 50-day tariff deadline for Russia to end war in Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States will impose "very severe tariffs" on Russia in 50 days if there is no deal to stop the war in Ukraine.

Air quality in Toronto among worst in the world Monday, as Environment Canada issues heat warning

Parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are under an air quality warning on Monday alongside an ongoing heat warning in the region, Environment Canada says. 

Hailstorm hits Calgary, residents share photos of the aftermath

A thunderstorm hit Alberta Sunday evening, pelting Calgary and the surrounding area with hail.

Mom credits speech language pathologist for son's recovery from traumatic brain injury

Tonya Ruby credits her 27-year-old son's speech language pathologist for the progress he's made in his recovery from a traumatic brain injury. 

Human Rights Tribunal dismisses complaint over public washroom access in Sudbury, Ont.

A Sudbury, Ont., man says he's disappointed that the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario won't hold a hearing on his complaint regarding the need for 24-hour public access to washrooms for people living on the street.

Halifax tenants in 'precarious housing situations' band together to fight renovictions

Late last year, multiple tenants in small apartment buildings around Halifax got similar letters from their new landlord, stating their leases would soon be terminated. But no reasons were given. 

Moncton man still waiting for a refund 6 months after meter mix-up discovered

After paying the wrong power bill for more than four years and six months after discovering the unusual error, a Moncton man is still waiting for his refund.

Most Quebecers get power back after strong storm rips through many parts of province

The majority of Quebec residents had their power back Monday morning after a strong storm swept across the province Sunday, knocking down power lines and flooding major intersections and buildings.

Revamp of Manitoba's air quality monitoring infrastructure needed for 'smokier future,' says expert

Manitoba is looking to expand the infrastructure it has to monitor air quality, a step experts say is important to better map pollution and its long-term health effects worsened by smoke billowing from wildfires.

'Keep the doors open': As ERs close, doctor speaks out on the challenges of practising in rural Sask.

The senior lead physician of a Saskatchewan Medical Association program that provides help for rural doctors is speaking out on the challenges they face, after a number of temporary rural emergency room closures forced by a shortage of medical professionals in the province. 

Cowichan Valley food bank says months-long bus strike creating hardship for low-income residents

Five months into a job action that has brought public transit in the Cowichan Valley to a halt, frustration and anxiety are mounting and locals say it's taken a toll on the lives of low-income residents and has cost some their jobs.

Heat warning continues for Hamilton and area, with humidex values of 35 to 40 expected for several days

A heat warning is in effect for Hamilton, Niagara, Brant and area with humid weather expected to blanket the region for most of the week.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Police in Kensington, P.E.I., shut down municipal building over 'potentially hazardous object'

The municipal building in the central P.E.I. town of Kensington was shut as a precaution on Monday night after someone brought a "potentially hazardous object" to the police force headquartered there. 

N.W.T. gov't slow to act on school lead situation, independent investigation finds

The N.W.T. government was slow to act when it detected lead in school drinking water because two of its departments failed to understand the health implications of the situation, an independent investigation has found. 

Poilievre slams Carney over investment disclosure, says PM needs to sell assets

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pointing to a list of assets that Prime Minister Mark Carney transferred to a blind trust as evidence that the Liberal leader wasn't being honest with Canadians on the campaign trail. 

Wildfire-related power outages have now hit 6 First Nations in northwestern Ontario

People in Pikangikum First Nation are using the little fuel they have left to shine headlights into their homes as a way to escape the darkness as wildfires continue to damage hydro poles in the region.

'It's terrible': Some Montague business owners feeling the pain from 2nd summer of roadwork

Some businesses in Montague have been seeing fewer customers recently, blaming a second straight summer of roadwork for the loss of shoppers in the eastern P.E.I. community.

Two people behind bogus temp agencies that exploited asylum seekers sentenced to house arrest

Two people accused of running fraudulent temp agencies that exploited asylum seekers in Montreal have been sentenced to house arrest for 10 and 18 months. 

City installing AC units for seniors as Toronto sizzles under another heat warning

As Toronto deals with another heat warning this summer, the city is installing air conditioner units for seniors as part of a new pilot program.

Nunavut coroner investigating after 2 deaths in Igloolik

The Nunavut coroner's office says it's investigating the deaths of two people in Igloolik. 

U.S. helicopter maker settles with families of 6 Canadian military members killed in crash

An American helicopter manufacturer has reached a confidential settlement with the families of six Canadian military members killed in a helicopter crash off the coast of Greece five years ago.

Alberta's measles outbreaks surpass case counts reported for entire U.S.

Alberta has now confirmed more measles cases than the entire United States has reported this year.

Beauval, Sask., nearly surrounded as massive wildfire grows

The mayor of Beauval, Sask., says the village is nearly surrounded by wildfire, as the massive Muskeg fire continues to burn out of control on three sides of the northern community.

Prince County Hospital's intensive-care unit to reopen in August, administrator confirms

Prince County Hospital in Summerside is preparing to restore two crucial health services next month, reopening its intensive-care unit and resuming in-person oncologist appointments.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us