Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Why Are Canadians', Americans' Political Colours the Opposite of Each Other?

In America, the colour red is identified with conservatives while blue is the colour of liberals; in Canada it's vice versa--true blue Tory vs. the Liberals' red.

I have no explanation for this reality, nor for why Canada's socialist party, the NDP, should rally behind the colour orange (a colour associated historically with the Protestant King William of Orange). Given their philosophy and worldview, shouldn't NDPers be the Reds?

2 comments:

paladin3001 said...

The reason goes back about 3 presidential election cycles. One alphabet broadcaster got the colours reversed and they have stayed that way since. Had an American friend explain it to me. It ticks them off to no end.

scaramouche said...

I didn't realize it was that recent a phenomenon. Thanks for the info, PP.