What will it take to galvanize an effective independence movement in Alberta? Needless to say, a number of elements are necessary for any political movement, including an internally united political party, committed supporters, and financial resources. However, a particular kind of charismatic and high-energy leader is likely essential for taking the independence movement to the next level..The necessity of dynamic leadership for building a new political movement is commonly seen in history, especially from Alberta’s own history. Although this point may seem like common sense, it is disputed by some. For example, Marxists consider successful political movements to be the result of economic forces. In their view, the role of particular leaders is merely incidental. .But the Marxists are wrong, of course, and there are a number of instances where a particular leader has made an essential contribution to the success of a political movement or party. Just think of the role of President Donald Trump over the last few years..In Alberta, the most striking example of indispensable leadership would be that of William “Bible Bill” Aberhart and the Social Credit Party. The essential part played by Aberhart in the rise and success of that movement is explained by University of Toronto professor John A. Irving in his 1959 book, The Social Credit Movement in Alberta, which is volume 10 of the University of Toronto Press’ multi-volume series of academic books entitled “Social Credit in Alberta: Its Background and Development.” .Irving presents a very detailed account of the origin and spread of Social Credit in Alberta. Aberhart was the principal of Crescent Heights High School in Calgary and a popular Bible teacher. As a pioneer radio evangelist, he had amassed a very large and loyal audience throughout Alberta. However, Aberhart was not active in politics until one of his favourite Grade 12 students committed suicide in 1932 due to hardships resulting from the Great Depression. After that heartrending event, he read a book about Social Credit theory, which needless to say, he found convincing..Aberhart began to use his religious broadcasts to promote social credit economic and monetary theory. The idea caught on like wildfire and he was invited to speak about it all over the province. Ultimately, candidates were selected to run in the 1935 provincial election, and his new political party won 56 of 63 seats in the Legislature..In three short years Social Credit went from being an obscure economic theory to the guiding philosophy of a new political party dominating Alberta’s government. Irving explains that Aberhart himself was key to this success. “It is doubtful if the movement would have won political power in Alberta without his leadership.”.Needless to say, Aberhart’s access to a large radio audience was a vital factor in his ability to create and develop a political movement. It gave him a way to spread his message quickly and widely. Furthermore, he had considerable prestige as a popular religious leader. Those factors, though, were not sufficient for political success. As Irving writes, “the people of Alberta were also profoundly impressed by certain traits of leadership he possessed in addition to his religious influence. His presence and his voice, for example, contributed to inspire in his followers a fanatical and mysterious zeal: they felt that he spoke as one having authority.”.Aberhart’s public speaking abilities were second-to-none. Accounts of his political meetings bring to mind the kinds of rallies held by Donald Trump in recent years. For example, during the 1935 provincial election campaign, the United Farmers of Alberta and Liberal Party candidates had trouble attracting audiences. Aberhart, by contrast, could draw large and enthusiastic crowds anywhere he went..As Irving recounts, “Wherever he appeared, the roads leading to that place would be jammed with traffic all headed for the meeting place. The large audiences that always assembled would await his arrival with spontaneous expectancy. His appearance on the platform would be greeted with waves of thunderous applause. Even in small or remote villages like Sylvan Lake or Marwayne there was no relaxation of the heightening tempo of his campaign. The people who flocked to his meetings, invariably over-crowded, wanted a good show and they always got it. The great spellbinder never failed to lift his audiences to a state of hysterical enthusiasm.”.In short, Aberhart was able to do what no other figure could do. He made a uniquely significant contribution to the political direction of Alberta. Irving writes, “previous to Aberhart’s decision to take the Social Credit movement into politics, Alberta had never seen his like as a political leader. He was, indeed, a unique phenomenon, not only in the political experience of Alberta but in that of Canada at large.”.Quite simply, without the leadership of Bill Aberhart, it’s very unlikely that Social Credit would have become the dominant force in Alberta politics for three decades. His particular leadership was a key factor..To some degree, certain subsequent leaders have had a profound influence on Alberta politics as well. Peter Lougheed took a moribund provincial Progressive Conservative Party with no seats in the legislature, and turned it into the governing party within six years. And in 1993, Ralph Klein delivered his “miracle on the prairies” when many knowledgeable observers believed that the days of the PC dynasty were finally over. Even the NDP election victory of 2015 is difficult to explain without acknowledging the leadership qualities of Rachel Notley. Of course, there is more to political success than leadership, but it can be the decisive factor in some cases, as it was for Social Credit..When the right leader comes along advocating Alberta independence, the widespread but largely unaggregated support for renegotiating Alberta’s place within Canada – or out of it – may come together into a powerful political force. Not long ago, Jason Kenney was able to “Unite Alberta” to rescue the province from the NDP, and he deserves credit for that. But now someone is needed to rescue the province from Ottawa. .As in the early 1930s, the situation is getting desperate, and Alberta needs another special individual to lead the fight for an independent West..Michael Wagner is a columnist for the Western Standard
What will it take to galvanize an effective independence movement in Alberta? Needless to say, a number of elements are necessary for any political movement, including an internally united political party, committed supporters, and financial resources. However, a particular kind of charismatic and high-energy leader is likely essential for taking the independence movement to the next level..The necessity of dynamic leadership for building a new political movement is commonly seen in history, especially from Alberta’s own history. Although this point may seem like common sense, it is disputed by some. For example, Marxists consider successful political movements to be the result of economic forces. In their view, the role of particular leaders is merely incidental. .But the Marxists are wrong, of course, and there are a number of instances where a particular leader has made an essential contribution to the success of a political movement or party. Just think of the role of President Donald Trump over the last few years..In Alberta, the most striking example of indispensable leadership would be that of William “Bible Bill” Aberhart and the Social Credit Party. The essential part played by Aberhart in the rise and success of that movement is explained by University of Toronto professor John A. Irving in his 1959 book, The Social Credit Movement in Alberta, which is volume 10 of the University of Toronto Press’ multi-volume series of academic books entitled “Social Credit in Alberta: Its Background and Development.” .Irving presents a very detailed account of the origin and spread of Social Credit in Alberta. Aberhart was the principal of Crescent Heights High School in Calgary and a popular Bible teacher. As a pioneer radio evangelist, he had amassed a very large and loyal audience throughout Alberta. However, Aberhart was not active in politics until one of his favourite Grade 12 students committed suicide in 1932 due to hardships resulting from the Great Depression. After that heartrending event, he read a book about Social Credit theory, which needless to say, he found convincing..Aberhart began to use his religious broadcasts to promote social credit economic and monetary theory. The idea caught on like wildfire and he was invited to speak about it all over the province. Ultimately, candidates were selected to run in the 1935 provincial election, and his new political party won 56 of 63 seats in the Legislature..In three short years Social Credit went from being an obscure economic theory to the guiding philosophy of a new political party dominating Alberta’s government. Irving explains that Aberhart himself was key to this success. “It is doubtful if the movement would have won political power in Alberta without his leadership.”.Needless to say, Aberhart’s access to a large radio audience was a vital factor in his ability to create and develop a political movement. It gave him a way to spread his message quickly and widely. Furthermore, he had considerable prestige as a popular religious leader. Those factors, though, were not sufficient for political success. As Irving writes, “the people of Alberta were also profoundly impressed by certain traits of leadership he possessed in addition to his religious influence. His presence and his voice, for example, contributed to inspire in his followers a fanatical and mysterious zeal: they felt that he spoke as one having authority.”.Aberhart’s public speaking abilities were second-to-none. Accounts of his political meetings bring to mind the kinds of rallies held by Donald Trump in recent years. For example, during the 1935 provincial election campaign, the United Farmers of Alberta and Liberal Party candidates had trouble attracting audiences. Aberhart, by contrast, could draw large and enthusiastic crowds anywhere he went..As Irving recounts, “Wherever he appeared, the roads leading to that place would be jammed with traffic all headed for the meeting place. The large audiences that always assembled would await his arrival with spontaneous expectancy. His appearance on the platform would be greeted with waves of thunderous applause. Even in small or remote villages like Sylvan Lake or Marwayne there was no relaxation of the heightening tempo of his campaign. The people who flocked to his meetings, invariably over-crowded, wanted a good show and they always got it. The great spellbinder never failed to lift his audiences to a state of hysterical enthusiasm.”.In short, Aberhart was able to do what no other figure could do. He made a uniquely significant contribution to the political direction of Alberta. Irving writes, “previous to Aberhart’s decision to take the Social Credit movement into politics, Alberta had never seen his like as a political leader. He was, indeed, a unique phenomenon, not only in the political experience of Alberta but in that of Canada at large.”.Quite simply, without the leadership of Bill Aberhart, it’s very unlikely that Social Credit would have become the dominant force in Alberta politics for three decades. His particular leadership was a key factor..To some degree, certain subsequent leaders have had a profound influence on Alberta politics as well. Peter Lougheed took a moribund provincial Progressive Conservative Party with no seats in the legislature, and turned it into the governing party within six years. And in 1993, Ralph Klein delivered his “miracle on the prairies” when many knowledgeable observers believed that the days of the PC dynasty were finally over. Even the NDP election victory of 2015 is difficult to explain without acknowledging the leadership qualities of Rachel Notley. Of course, there is more to political success than leadership, but it can be the decisive factor in some cases, as it was for Social Credit..When the right leader comes along advocating Alberta independence, the widespread but largely unaggregated support for renegotiating Alberta’s place within Canada – or out of it – may come together into a powerful political force. Not long ago, Jason Kenney was able to “Unite Alberta” to rescue the province from the NDP, and he deserves credit for that. But now someone is needed to rescue the province from Ottawa. .As in the early 1930s, the situation is getting desperate, and Alberta needs another special individual to lead the fight for an independent West..Michael Wagner is a columnist for the Western Standard
