entering the postindustrial society: the canadian case

abstract: the canadian federation is based on the substantial autonomy of the provinces constituting it, the welfare orientation of central bodies, the volunteer activities at the grass-root level, and the external policy open to the world. there are no any doubts about the genuinely democratic character of canadian internal politics or the commitment of canadians to the world peace. the economic prosperity of the country is secured by the mineral resources, good agriculture, and the intensive foreign trade. services are developed even more than in west europe; there is much public commitment to the general welfare. on the other hand, canada has her problems: too much unemployment (particularly among the youth), the economic dependence on the 'big brother', underdevelopment of domestic industry, internal markets being too narrow for the local production, the high energy and transportation costs, the industrial relations system too much vulnerable to tensions and conflicts, national and cultural identity not strong enough, internal differentiation of the society opening room for dissatisfaction and the feeling of social injustice. the country is exposed to the disintegrative tendencies not strong enough to destroy it but definitely present and providing a good reason to worry about. canada is among the countries particularly close to the developmental stage of a post-industrial society. the basic question is in this respect how to secure a meaningful life for the large numberof people whose only chance is to succeed in services. with the fast progressing sophistication of the third sector activities much depends on the educational background, the level of skills, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to cooperate with others. the major public investments in health, education and social welfare may be beneficial in the long run only if quality will count more than quantity. a genuine democratization means not so much the equality of rights but primarily the multiplication of social wealth intensive enough to satisfy all basic human needs and aspirations. this paper provides the analysis of the canadian society in terms of its readiness to face the post-industrial challenges. this is the continuation of the studies done by the author before on the same subject within his general interest in the comparative societies (see 'comparative work structures', and 'the self defeating organization', both published by praeger in 1986).