Democracy Under Pressure: Canada and America at a Crossroads

I am a Canadian, and this article is written from a Canadian perspective.

When hundreds of radicalized Americans stormed the U.S. Capitol in January 2021, trying to overturn a democratic election, most Canadians watched in disbelief. Later that year, when conspiracy theorists hurled stones and threats at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during Canada’s federal election, many wondered: Is Canada following the U.S. down a path of political violence and division?

Long accustomed to feeling politically stable compared to our southern neighbor, Canadians found these incidents deeply unsettling. The question lingers — is Canadian democracy truly becoming as polarized as America’s? Research and comparative values suggest otherwise.

Two Diverging Political Cultures

A severe political divide has emerged in American culture, far surpassing the level of polarization seen in Canada. In the United States, the divide between Democrats and Republicans has become exceptionally deep, encompassing not only policy disagreements but also core values, identity, and even perceptions of national well-being. Studies indicate that partisans on both sides increasingly view the other as a threat to the country’s future, with nearly nine in ten voters in both camps fearing…