as the pursuit of peace and security.
Charles Taylor considers the issue of values in Canada and whether there are different values in the different regions of Canada, finding that such differences are minimal. Indeed, he finds that there is great similarity throughout the country, a similarity also found even across the French/English distinction, at least in terms of the things in life which are seen as most important. Even when it comes to the values that specifically relate to political culture, there seems to be broad agreement. Taylor finds that this was not always the case and that 50 years ago the differences were greater. The two societies, English and French, had different views on a number of issues. Taylor believes that the reason the two have come together is because each has moved to a more liberal social view, though it is not clear what he means here by a liberal society. What he says about Canada as a whole, however, emphasizes a certain conservative turn of thought in the political culture which Taylor believes has differentiated Canada from America, and what he says about this matter echoes Berton. He also finds that Americans place a premium on the idea of rights, and they will defend their use of violence when it is in service of the protection of rights. Canadians, on the other hand, place more value on the ideas of peace, order, and good government. This is how Canadians see themselves, and it is how they try to maintain their lives.
Confederation remains a means of protecting the various provinces and local elements in Canada from outside incursions and as a statement of the power and importance of being Canadian. Taylor notes that Canadians see their society as more committed to collective provision, and this points to another conservative element in Canadian society--the desire to preserve what makes Canada distinctive. Taylor points to the fact that Canadians are pleased with their socia...