Proquest Dissertations
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Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. Bell & Howell Informaticn and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 UMI' THE RISE AND FALL OF REGIONAL PARTIES: THE REFORM PARTY OF CANADA, THE NORTHERN LEAGUE OF ITALY, AND THE WESTERN CANADA CONCEPT PARTY DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Christina Grabarkiewicz-Davis, M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 2000 Dissertation Committee: Professor Anthony Mughan, Adviser Approved by Professor Bradley Richardson a. Advisor Professor R. William Liddle Department of Political Science UMI Number 9971555 Copyright 2000 by Grabarkiewicz-Davis, Christina M. All rights reserved. UMI UMI Microform9971555 Copyright 2000 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 DEDICATION To My Parents For everything ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Completing a dissertation is truly not an individual feat but rather a journey that can only be completed with the help of others along the way. First, I would like to thank my committee-Dr. Mughan, Dr. Richardson, and Dr. Liddle-for their helpful suggestions and guidance at crucial points in the dissertation process. Dr. Mughan’s assistance was particularly crucial. He challenged me to strive for excellence and supported my efforts when I experienced frustration. A very special thanks goes to my ghost committee member. Dr. Wilson, my undergraduate advisor, who has acted as my mentor throughout my graduate school experience. The support of my family and friends has been central to the completion of my dissertation. Without my husband’s cheerleading, patience, and personal sacrifice this research would have never been completed. Beyond general support, Kermit copied microfilm at the Library of Congress and read dozens of drafts of the document. Kermit and Trenton are my inspiration. My parents (Dan and Pam Grabarkiewicz), siblings (Laura and Jeff), grandparents, and in-laws were also very supportive of my efforts. My parents in particular spent many hours listening to my fhistrations and amusing my son so I could work just one more weekend on the document. Finally, I would like to thank the Reform Party Members of Parliament and the members of the WCC that agreed to be interviewed and the library staflF of the Government of Alberta’s library. All of the above provided me with important information and without their cooperation the final product would have been deficient. Ill VITA June 12, 1968 ............................................................................. Bom Toledo, Ohio June, 1991 .................................................................................. Bachelor o f Arts Political Science The University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio December, 1995..........................................................................Master of Arts Political Science The Ohio State University Columbus, OH FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field; Political Science IV TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication .................................................................................................................................. i Vita...........................................................................................................................................iv FIELDS OF STUDY......................................................................................................iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ix INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 1 What is a Regional Party? ....................................................................................................5 Nationalism ............................................................................................................................7 Regionalism .......................................................................................................................... 9 Redefining Regional Parties ............................................................................................ 11 Existing Explanations of Party Formation ...................................................................... 13 Why the Reform Party, Western Canada Concept Party, and Northern League? 24 Why choose the Reform Party, the Western Canada Concept Party (WCC), and the Lega Nord? ......................................................................................................................... 29 Outline of the Thesis.......................................................................................................... 31 CHAPTER 1.......................................................................................................................... 33 Facilitators of Successful Regional Party Formation ...........................................................33 Economic, Political and Cultural Grievances .................................................................. 34 Political Opportunity Structures (POS) ...........................................................................36 Established parties’ reactions............................................................................................38 Stability of political alignments ......................................................................................... 39 Political Entrepreneurs ..................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER 2 ...........................................................................................................................50 Political History in Canada and Italy: A Regional Perspective ........................................... 50 Constructing Canada and Italy ..........................................................................................51 The Politics of Unification..................................................................................................52 The Canadian West ............................................................................................................ 56 Western Alienation and the Rise of Third Parties ....................................................... 59 World War II to the present ..........................................................................................65 The Reform Party..........................................................................................................78 Italy......................................................................................................................................82 Early History 476-1499 ................................................................................................. 83 Unification Period 1800-1900 ...................................................................................... 90 1947-Present ...................................................................................................................96 Northern League ......................................................................................................... 104 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 108 CHAPTER 3 ....................................................................................................................... 109 Economic, Political, and Cultural Grievances .................................................................. 109 Economic Grievances ..................................................................................................... 111 Political Grievances ......................................................................................................... 119 Cultural Grievances ......................................................................................................... 128 Concluding Comparisons ............................................................................................... 138 VI