Historical roots of Canadian democracy

Concentrating on the crucial decade of the 1830s, this essay examines the p olitical thrust and social underpinnings of early Canadian democracy. It co ncentrates on the role of local community life, problems of exclusion on ra ce, class and gender lines, and issues related to the scope of democratic g overnance. It argues that pre-Confederation radicals were suspicious of ban ks and other corporations because they regarded these as irresponsible publ ic authorities that jeopardized that democratic process.