A Study of Societal Conditions Related to the Rise of the Albertan Western Separatist Movement in 1980

Abstract

<p>This study is an in depth examination of societal conditions related to the rise of the Albertan western separatist movement" during 1980-. The paradigm chosen to analyze Albertan societal conditions was from Neil J. Smelser's Theory of Collective Behavior. To operationalize the given paradigm, Maurice Pinard's theory of one party dominance, James C. Davies' theory of revolution, and the concept of 'issues' were employed. In comparison to Saskatchewan and Ontario, only Alberta's federal and provincial political party systems were characterized by the condition of one-party dominance. A sudden state of uncertainty, a revision of Davies' theory of revolution, likewise prevailed exclusively within Alberta. In addition, Alberta underwent greater social changes during the 1970's. These findings indicated further that Alberta's political, economic, and social conditions seemingly combined to produce a pre-conducive state for the re-emergence of the western separatist movement in that province.</p>