I wish I knew more about Canada. Look through Canadian history as referenced by other countries or by the left in your country for instances which will demonstrate the true character of Canada to him. IIRC Canada as well as every other British colony was built on chauvinistic genocide of the native population. That can begin the logic of “Canada isn’t so different from America”. Then perhaps progress into every imperial war the US started that Canada also took part in and current economical overlaps. You should also explain the connection of economics and politics, how the later is an expression of the former.
As far as social democracy goes I would remind him that at one point the US was a social democracy, and nazi Germany was as well. If these skin deep arguments don’t work try explaining the economics of how social democracy always falls apart due to the falling rate of profit and how it never evolves into socialism but decays into barbarism (including neoliberalism aka what America is now as a form thereof) due to the complacency and alienation internalized by the pampered working class turned labor aristocracy in those nations. Then explain what the characteristics of barbarism are and why he doesn’t want that if hearing “it’s basically America” doesn’t work.
See how these and the other recommendations from others here work out, then reassess depending on results. Then perhaps report back and state “x worked, y didn’t, what now” or something to that effect?
I wish I knew more about Canada. Look through Canadian history as referenced by other countries or by the left in your country for instances which will demonstrate the true character of Canada to him. IIRC Canada as well as every other British colony was built on chauvinistic genocide of the native population. That can begin the logic of “Canada isn’t so different from America”. Then perhaps progress into every imperial war the US started that Canada also took part in and current economical overlaps. You should also explain the connection of economics and politics, how the later is an expression of the former.
As far as social democracy goes I would remind him that at one point the US was a social democracy, and nazi Germany was as well. If these skin deep arguments don’t work try explaining the economics of how social democracy always falls apart due to the falling rate of profit and how it never evolves into socialism but decays into barbarism (including neoliberalism aka what America is now as a form thereof) due to the complacency and alienation internalized by the pampered working class turned labor aristocracy in those nations. Then explain what the characteristics of barbarism are and why he doesn’t want that if hearing “it’s basically America” doesn’t work.
See how these and the other recommendations from others here work out, then reassess depending on results. Then perhaps report back and state “x worked, y didn’t, what now” or something to that effect?