"The Contributions of Political Socialization to Nation-Building 
in Canada", Abstract

Krisan Evenson - Syracuse University



Canada has a long history of multiculturalism; francophones, 
anglophones and allophones are joined in a federation.  Yet 
divergent conceptions of what the nation of Canada is or should 
be threaten the country's survival.  This paper analyzes the 
relationship between intercultural conflict and political 
socialization of Canada's children.  Political socialization 
differs widely across different cultural groups, particularly 
among anglophone and francophone populations.  Political culture 
and values are transmitted via schools and families that create 
ever-widening divisions between anglophone and francophone.  
This discord is not merely the evidence of divergent political 
interests, but growing dissimilarity in the very conception of 
Canada.  I examine political socialization in Canada and discuss 
some models of political psychology that attempt to explain 
identity formation.  I propose a theoretic framework which 
contributes to an understanding of future generations' political 
identity and nation-building.