Meritocracy In Canada

Canada is known to be a Civil Society. Throughout history, Canada has demonstrated qualities of pluralism and meritocracy, while showcasing a cosmopolitan ethic. These values, have been shown on numerous occasions, such as when Canada accepted refugees from Uganda, Afghanistan, and currently from Syria. Through these demonstrations, Canada has established itself as one of the leading Civil Societies in todays world. Moving forward, their ability, “to articulate and exemplify…a commitment to pluralism, to meritocracy, and to a cosmopolitan ethic,” can allow Canada, as a country to take the lead and initiative, and use their Civil Society to help end global issues; specifically to end global poverty.

Poverty is a complex ideal, an ideal which

is a reality to many. It can be a result of many different incidents. These causes of poverty, each have origins in certain places, and thus each needs to be fixed in a different way. Canada, as a civil society has the power to end poverty and help victims and their nations to rise out of their situations. Canada as a nation, and a civil society can stop this phenomenon in it’s many forms.

One certain cause of poverty is political unrest or strife.

This causes many citizens of nations going through these times to be unsafe and unstable. During these times, countries tend to experience no economic growth. This leads to the country getting poorer and the people who live in the country getting poorer, which in turn causes the people to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions and lack proper food, water, and health care. As a Civil Society, Canada has a part to play in helping these people. As a country, Canada can, “[open] the way for diversity,” through accepting immigrants and displaying, “meritocracy, and…a cosmopolitan ethic.” Canada has displayed this on many occasions by accepting refugees from places such as Somalia and Ethiopia. As a Civil Society, Canada can showcase their commitment to pluralism and their cosmopolitan ethic through accepting immigrants from war torn countries and assimilating them into the society. They can also aid in resolving this unrest in a fair and equitable manner by being a neutral

peacemaker.

Another cause of poverty, is having a lack of knowledge.

This, is most often caused by a faulty, failing, or non existent school system. Without knowledge, people cannot attain a job that is well enough to support themselves. Thus causing people to not have a shelter, food, and clean water. All three of these are basic human needs and without them, you are considered to be in poverty. When people are uneducated, they tend to be exploited by wealthier people, worsening their own situation.. Canada has the means, and the ability to offer aid to these people. Being a meritocracy, Canada’s most educated people usually hold higher power. This allows for these educated people to help generate wealth for Canada. As a wealthy nation, Canada has the ability to invest money to help educate people in poverty stricken countries. This investment could help to educate people and slowly help them to rise out of poverty. In many action plans, Canada has seen the need, and invested in international education, which helps to higher education standards in poorer countries. They can also directly help educate people in these nations - by passing on their own skills - thereby allowing them to help

themselves.

Civil Society is needed everywhere in the world, most specifically in the western or developed countries. This is due to the fact that developed countries need to act as models, and help developing countries. Western countries must display the three main foundations of Civil Society in order to successfully help developing and poverty struck countries.This can be done through accepting refugees and providing services such as education and health care. These developed countries must exhibit their Civil Society to help end global problems such as global poverty.

Canada’s ability to use their Civil Society to help end global issues, especially global poverty can allow Canada to take the lead in the fight to end this phenomenon. Canada showcases the qualities, stated by His Highness the Aga Khan, needed in a Civil Society. These are pluralism, meritocracy, and a cosmopolitan ethic. Canada, having all of this is able to help many poverty struck nations in the battle against global poverty. Through many examples of these qualities, Canada has shown that they have a important role to play in the fight against global issues.