Social Credit

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Social Credit economic plan in Canada, based on the theories of Clifford Hugh Douglas . The central idea is that the problems fundamental to economic depression are those of unequal distribution owing to lack of purchasing power. To solve these difficulties Douglas proposed a system of issuing to every citizen dividends, the amount of which would be determined by an estimate of the nation's real wealth; the establishment of a just price for all goods would be the result. The program became highly influential in Alberta during the depression years, and the Social Credit party, led by William Aberhart , won a resounding victory in the provincial elections of 1935. The program included distribution of a social dividend of $25 a month, but it proved impossible to put this scheme into practice. Attempts to tax banks and to enter on currency schemes were declared unconstitutional by the courts. Nevertheless, the party remained in power in Alberta until defeated in 1971. In the federal parliament, the party retained 6 seats until 1980, when it lost them all. The Social Credit party that continues in British Columbia diverged from the doctrines of the original party early on.

Bibliography: See M. Pinard, The Rise of a Third Party (1971); B. Monahan, Introduction to Social Credit (1982).

Social Credit Party of Canada A party founded in 1933 whose ideology was based on the theory of ‘social credit’ as advanced by the Alberta radio evangelist, William Aberhart (b. 1878, d. 1943). Adapting the ‘social credit’ ideas of the British engineer Clifford Douglas, he argued that the Great Depression was caused by the failure of banks to print enough money. Hence, all that was needed was to print and supply more money to the consumers, as this would stimulate demand and revive production. The party gained prominence in the west, where it governed in Alberta (1935–71), and British Columbia (1952–75, 1975–91). However, while in government it implemented few of its ideals, instead pursuing free-market conservative policies to suit its western rural constituencies. As an essentially regional party it was relatively unsuccessful in gaining seats in the federal House of Commons, and its importance on a provincial and national level declined during the 1980s. Its role as a regional party of the west was taken up by the Reform Party.

social credit A theory advanced by the social economist Clifford DOUGLAS, to eliminate the concentration of economic power. It became popular in Canada and New Zealand at the time of the Great DEPRESSION. In Canada a Social Credit Party, led by William Aberhart, won an overwhelming victory in Alberta in 1935 and remained in power until 1971 without, however, implementing many of Douglas's ideas. In 1952 it won an election in British Colombia, but never gained more than a handful of federal seats in Ottawa, and largely disappeared after 1980. A New Zealand Social Credit Party was formed in 1953 and has held from one to three seats in the New Zealand Parliament at various times.