Étapisme
Encyclopedia
Étapisme is the term for a strategy for independence dominant in the Parti Québécois
since 1974. It is associated with the figure of Claude Morin
, who convinced Parti Québécois leader René Lévesque
and eventually a majority of party delegates to adopt its principles. Proponents of the strategy are called étapistes.
It advocates a step-by-step approach
to achieving independence. Before 1974, the Parti Québécois programme stipulated that independence would be declared upon electing a majority of Parti Québécois Members of the National Assembly of Quebec
(MNAs), under Quebec's first-past-the-post electoral system
and its British parliamentary system. Under étapisme, the Parti Québécois would promise a "good government" first and propose a referendum on independence second.
At the first referendum of 1980
, étapisme was also implemented in the referendum process, since the question asked for a mandate to negotiate sovereignty-association with Canada with the commitment to hold a second referendum to ratify the resulting agreement. Ratification in a second referendum would not be proposed again in the referendum of 1995
.
From time to time, this approach has been challenged by hardliners
. Two of the most famous challenges to étapisme were at the 1981 National Congress, colloquially known as the Renérendum (because René Lévesque put his leadership in question in an internal vote on the question), and with the so-called Parizeau-Laplante Proposition of the 2000s.
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
since 1974. It is associated with the figure of Claude Morin
Claude Morin
Claude Morin may refer to:*Claude Morin , Parti Québécois Member of the Quebec legislature and Cabinet Member, 1976–1982*Claude Morin , ADQ Member of the Quebec legislature, 2007–...
, who convinced Parti Québécois leader René Lévesque
René Lévesque
René Lévesque was a reporter, a minister of the government of Quebec, , the founder of the Parti Québécois political party and the 23rd Premier of Quebec...
and eventually a majority of party delegates to adopt its principles. Proponents of the strategy are called étapistes.
It advocates a step-by-step approach
Gradualism
Gradualism is the belief in or the policy of advancing toward a goal by gradual, often slow stages.-Politics and society:In politics, the concept of gradualism is used to describe the belief that change ought to be brought about in small, discrete increments rather than in abrupt strokes such as...
to achieving independence. Before 1974, the Parti Québécois programme stipulated that independence would be declared upon electing a majority of Parti Québécois Members of the National Assembly of Quebec
National Assembly of Quebec
The National Assembly of Quebec is the legislative body of the Province of Quebec. The Lieutenant Governor and the National Assembly compose the Parliament of Quebec, which operates in a fashion similar to those of other British-style parliamentary systems.The National Assembly was formerly the...
(MNAs), under Quebec's first-past-the-post electoral system
Plurality voting system
The plurality voting system is a single-winner voting system often used to elect executive officers or to elect members of a legislative assembly which is based on single-member constituencies...
and its British parliamentary system. Under étapisme, the Parti Québécois would promise a "good government" first and propose a referendum on independence second.
At the first referendum of 1980
1980 Quebec referendum
The 1980 Quebec referendum was the first referendum in Quebec on the place of Quebec within Canada and whether Quebec should pursue a path toward sovereignty. The referendum was called by Quebec's Parti Québécois government, which strongly favoured secession from Canada...
, étapisme was also implemented in the referendum process, since the question asked for a mandate to negotiate sovereignty-association with Canada with the commitment to hold a second referendum to ratify the resulting agreement. Ratification in a second referendum would not be proposed again in the referendum of 1995
1995 Quebec referendum
The 1995 Quebec referendum was the second referendum to ask voters in the Canadian province of Quebec whether Quebec should secede from Canada and become an independent state, through the question:...
.
From time to time, this approach has been challenged by hardliners
Pur et dur
Pur et dur is a term used in Quebec politics to refer to hardliners of the Parti Québécois and the Quebec independence movement. It is most commonly used in the media, where it was popularized. It is also used to criticize some members of the Parti Québécois...
. Two of the most famous challenges to étapisme were at the 1981 National Congress, colloquially known as the Renérendum (because René Lévesque put his leadership in question in an internal vote on the question), and with the so-called Parizeau-Laplante Proposition of the 2000s.
See also
- SNP gradualismSNP gradualistThe gradualist viewpoint within the Scottish National Party is the idea that Scottish independence can be won by the accumulation by the Scottish Parliament of powers that the UK Parliament currently has over a protracted period of time...
(similar strategy in the Scottish National Party) - GradualismGradualismGradualism is the belief in or the policy of advancing toward a goal by gradual, often slow stages.-Politics and society:In politics, the concept of gradualism is used to describe the belief that change ought to be brought about in small, discrete increments rather than in abrupt strokes such as...
- IncrementalismIncrementalismIncrementalism is a method of working by adding to a project using many small , incremental changes instead of a few large jumps. Wikipedia, for example, illustrates the concept by building an encyclopedia bit by bit, continually adding to it...
- Quebec sovereignty movementQuebec sovereignty movementThe Quebec sovereignty movement refers to both the political movement and the ideology of values, concepts and ideas that promote the secession of the province of Quebec from the rest of Canada...