Does the Canadian Bourgeoisie Have State Power?
Comrade Dowsons fifth point in “A Step Backwards Instead of Forward,” undermines our long-standing concept of the character of the Canadian state, the concept that the Canadian bourgeoisie controls this state. The Political Committee resolution states, as we have outlined, that (1) a Canadian bourgeoisie of an imperialist character exists; (2) it controls the Canadian state, and (3) it utilizes state power to defend, as best it can, its national interest. Comrade Dowson has not made clear where he stands on these points. But his arguments tend to imply they are not correct. And indeed, if these three propositions are correct; it is hard to see how Canadian nationalism could have a progressive character. “The formalistic question, Does the Canadian capitalist class or the U.S. capitalist class rule Canada?'”, Comrade Dowson tells us, “invites the formalistic reply that the U.S. capitalist class rules Canada.” (“A Step Backward Instead of Forward”) Without explaining this enigmatic formu
