From The Toronto Star
Disenchantment and growing irritation with the U.S. South could lead northern American states to seek a union with Canadian provinces

By Stéphane Kelly

In 1891, the intellectual Goldwin Smith caused a furor when he published Canada and the Canadian Question. He suggested that if Canadians believed in the democratic ideal, they must accept the inevitable: Annexation of Canada by the American republic.

The writer noted that the divide created by the English Civil War, which pitted Puritans against Cavaliers, had replicated itself in North America. Canadians embraced the aristocratic ideal of the Cavaliers while Americans held dear the democratic ideal of the Puritans.

Who would have thought that roles would have reversed themselves a century later? That the United States would be seen as a society with an affinity for aristocratic values while Canada would be perceived as an alternative model, because of its attachment to democratic values?

This reversal could change the political landscape of North America.

American society’s slide toward the aristocratic ideal risks exacerbating the anger of the northern states, and possibly convincing them to leave the union.

In this context, among the political possibilities that face Canadians in 2020, it would not be far-fetched to include political integration with New England.

But before looking at how events and trends could make this possible, let’s try to understand why the South and the North have become like two different nations.

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