The Dynamics of Right-Wing Protest: A Political Analysis of Social Credit in Quebec

This study combines in one volume a history and sociopolitical analysis of the group now called the Ralliement des Créditistes, and thus explores the dynamics of a contemporary social and political phenomenon – right-wing protest. In the 1960s, the Ralliement des Créditistes, led by the dynamic Réal Caouette, emerged as a major political force in Quebec.

What explains the sudden success of this part? What motivated its supporters to join it? How far to the right do the Créditistes fall on the ideological spectrum? What caused the many internal divisions which plagued the party since its founding? In an effort to answer these questions, the author conducted a series of interviews among Créditistes leaders and explored party files, newspapers, and other unpublished materials?

The first part of the book describes the ideology of Social Credit and traces the development of the movement from 1936 to the present through two phases: mobilization and consolidation. The second part explores the social background, motivations for joining the movement, and the patterns of political participation of a sample of provincial and local leaders. A general model is developed which relates patterns of protest and schismatic behavior to the demographic and attitudinal characteristics of the movement’s leaders. This study of the sociological base of a political party will be of special value to students of current Quebec politics.

MICHAEL STEIN is a professor of Political Science at McGill University.