These sources of power must be used in some way in order to carry out a decision. Defining the Social Contract in Canadian Society In 1864, a group of men, led by John A. Macdonald, met at Charlottetown to establish what was to become Canada. The Fathers of Confederation were determined that the American social contract based on the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness not form the basis of Canadian life. The revolutionary republican values coming out of the American world view were seen as being disorderly and risky. One Table of Contents Content Resolving Conflict within Social Organizations Society is a social organization and individuals collectively within it have to make decisions about how best to settle the conflicts which arise.
Societies change in many of their fundamental relationships.
Canada has been no exception to this process. Change does not come easily because there is often little agreement between individuals and groups about what constitutes legitimate change. The Resolution of Conflict Conflict within a society which is not reconciled in some way can be very destructive. Often one or both sides to a dispute will not willingly accept the disposition of the dispute. Somewhere in society there must be the residual power to make and enforce unpopular decisions.